The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) is a public research university with campuses in Durban and Pietermaritzburg. It attracts applications from South African matriculants, gap-year students, returning students and international applicants.
For the 2027 academic year, it is particularly important to understand that UKZN uses different application routes for first-time South African undergraduate applicants and other applicant categories. First-time South African undergraduate applicants generally apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO), while international, postgraduate, returning and certain other applicants apply directly to UKZN.
This guide explains the UKZN 2027 application dates, online application process, supporting documents, application fees and what to do if you miss the main deadline.
Key Application Dates
Estimated 2027 Opening and Closing Deadlines
UKZN has published the following 2027 undergraduate application deadlines:
- Applications opened: 1 March 2026
- Medicine (MBChB) applications close: 30 June 2026
- All other undergraduate programmes close: 30 September 2026
UKZN’s official application information identifies 30 June 2026 as the closing date for Medicine and 30 September 2026 for other undergraduate programmes.
Important: First-time South African undergraduate applicants should apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO) rather than directly through the UKZN online application portal.
The application route is different for:
- First-time South African undergraduate applicants: Apply through CAO.
- International undergraduate applicants: Apply directly to UKZN.
- Postgraduate applicants: Apply directly to UKZN.
- Returning former UKZN students: Apply directly to UKZN.
- Current UKZN students applying for an internal transfer: Apply through the relevant UKZN process.
Step-by-Step Online Application Process
How to Submit Your Application Online
There are two main application routes depending on your circumstances.
Route 1: First-Time South African Undergraduate Applicants
If you are a South African Grade 12 learner applying to UKZN for the first time, you should use the Central Applications Office (CAO).
Official CAO website:
Central Applications Office
The process generally involves:
Step 1: Visit the CAO website
Open the official CAO website and select Apply.
Step 2: Create your CAO profile
Follow the instructions to create your application profile.
Use an email address and cellphone number that you regularly check.
Step 3: Complete your personal details
Provide accurate information, including:
- Full name
- South African ID number
- Date of birth
- Contact details
- Residential information
- School information
Step 4: Enter your academic information
Provide your latest available school results.
Current Grade 12 applicants should make sure their Grade 11 and latest Grade 12 results are entered accurately.
Step 5: Select UKZN programmes
Select your desired UKZN qualifications through the CAO system.
Review your choices carefully before submitting.
Step 6: Upload or submit documents as instructed
Provide the supporting documentation requested by CAO.
Step 7: Pay the CAO application fee
Pay the applicable CAO fee using one of the payment methods provided by CAO.
Step 8: Submit your application
Complete the final submission and save your CAO application number.
Step 9: Track your application
Use the CAO tracking system to monitor your application status.
Route 2: International, Postgraduate and Returning Applicants
UKZN’s online application system is used for international applicants, postgraduate applicants, returning former UKZN students and certain other categories.
Official UKZN application website:
UKZN Applications
The direct online application system is also linked from UKZN’s official application website.
Follow these steps:
Step 1: Visit the official UKZN application website
Go to the UKZN Applications website and select How to Apply.
Then select Click Here to Apply for the relevant applicant category.
Step 2: Create your application profile
Create your profile and complete the required fields.
Use a valid email address because UKZN may communicate with you electronically during the application process.
Step 3: Enter your personal information
Provide your:
- Full name
- ID or passport number
- Date of birth
- Citizenship
- Email address
- Telephone number
- Residential details
Step 4: Enter your academic information
Provide your school-leaving results or previous tertiary academic information, depending on your application category.
Step 5: Select your programme
Choose the UKZN qualification for which you wish to apply.
Check the programme and campus information carefully before continuing.
Step 6: Upload your supporting documents
Upload all documents required for your application.
UKZN advises applicants to ensure that relevant documents, including USAf and SAQA documents where applicable, are available before completing the online application.
Step 7: Pay the application fee
Pay the applicable UKZN application fee.
Use the correct payment reference and retain your proof of payment.
Step 8: Allow time for payment clearance
UKZN advises applicants to allow approximately 24 to 48 hours for application-fee payments to clear in the system.
Step 9: Review your application
Check your personal details, programme choice, academic information and uploaded documents.
Step 10: Submit the application
Complete the final submission through the online portal.
Save your application details and confirmation.
Required Supporting Documents
The documents required depend on your applicant category.
For applicants using the UKZN online application system, prepare the relevant documents before starting.
Common documents include:
- Certified copy of your South African ID or passport
- Certified National Senior Certificate/Matric Certificate or equivalent school-leaving qualification
- Grade 11/12 results where applicable
- Academic transcripts if you previously studied at another tertiary institution
- Degree certificates where applicable
- Proof of financial clearance if required for applicants transferring from another institution
- Certificate of conduct from a previous tertiary institution where applicable
- USAf documentation for international applicants where applicable
- SAQA evaluation where applicable
- Proof of English proficiency for certain international applicants
- Research proposal or proposed dissertation/thesis title for relevant Master’s or PhD applications
UKZN specifically instructs online applicants to upload certified identification and school-leaving documentation, while additional documents may be required depending on the applicant’s academic history and programme.
Grade 11 and Grade 12 Results
Current Grade 12 learners should keep their Grade 11 final results and latest Grade 12 results available.
When applying through CAO, enter your academic results exactly as they appear on your official school documents.
If you have already completed matric, prepare your:
- National Senior Certificate
- Final Grade 12 results
- Other recognised school-leaving certificate, where applicable
Gap-year applicants should use their final results when completing their application.
Previous Tertiary Students
If you have previously attended another university or tertiary institution, additional documentation may be required.
UKZN indicates that applicants who have studied at another tertiary institution may need:
- Certified degree certificates
- Full academic record
- Proof of financial clearance
- Certificate of conduct
Prepare these documents before starting the application so that you are not delayed by missing records.
Proof of Address Rules
A general proof-of-address document is not listed as a standard compulsory document for every UKZN online applicant.
Applicants should therefore not use proof of address as a replacement for an ID, passport or academic document.
If UKZN or the relevant application system specifically requests proof of address for your application, provide a recent document showing:
- Your full name
- Residential address
- Relevant date or issue information
Follow the specific instructions displayed by UKZN or CAO for your applicant category.
International Applicants
International applicants should prepare their documents well in advance.
UKZN identifies several documents that may be required, including:
- Certified passport
- Certified school-leaving certificate
- Proof from Universities South Africa (USAf) that you qualify for admission to degree studies in South Africa, where applicable
- SAQA evaluation for foreign university qualifications, where applicable
- Proof of English proficiency for applicants from non-English-speaking countries
- Certified academic transcripts
- Degree certificates for previous tertiary studies
- Other programme-specific documentation
UKZN specifically advises international applicants to ensure that their USAf and SAQA documents are available where applicable before completing their application.
International applicants should also allow enough time for South African study-permit and immigration processes after receiving an offer.
Application Fee & Payment Details
The UKZN 2027 application fees are:
- South African applicants — on-time application: R210
- South African applicants — late application: R420
- International applicants from SADC and the rest of Africa: R490
- International applicants from outside Africa: US$153
The application fee is non-refundable.
For South African applicants applying through CAO, the CAO application fee is paid through the CAO application system, rather than directly to UKZN.
For applicants applying directly to UKZN, the university provides its banking details and payment instructions.
For UKZN direct applications, the published South African payment details are:
- Account name: UKZN Main
- Bank: Standard Bank
- Account type: Business Current Account
- Account number: 05 308 0998
- Branch: Westville
- Branch code: 045426
- Reference: APPN followed by your student number
For international applicants:
- Account name: UKZN Foreign Deposit
- Bank: Standard Bank
- Account type: Business Current Account
- Account number: 05 308 2826
- Branch: Westville
- Branch code: 045426
- Reference: APPN followed by your student number
UKZN advises applicants to use the correct APPN + student number reference when paying the application fee.
Important: Always verify payment instructions on the official UKZN website before making a payment.
What If You Miss the UKZN 2027 Application Deadline?
UKZN has a specific late-application process for some programmes, but late applications are not available for every qualification.
The university currently states that late applications are not considered for:
- College of Health Sciences programmes
- School of Law
Other programmes may have late-application opportunities where places remain available. UKZN’s late-application information states that applicants must check programme availability before applying.
If you missed the primary deadline:
1. Check whether your programme accepts late applications
Do not assume that a late application is available simply because you missed the normal closing date.
2. Check the official UKZN late-application page
3. Check programme availability
UKZN states that late applications depend on available spaces.
4. Prepare the required late-application documents
For programmes accepting late applications, UKZN currently requires applicants to complete the relevant late-application form and provide documents such as:
- Certified ID
- Certified matric certificate
- Proof of payment
- Completed application form
The current late-application fee is R420.
5. Submit through the correct UKZN channel
UKZN’s late-application instructions direct applicants to submit the completed application through its Freshdesk Portal.
6. International applicants should not assume late applications are possible
UKZN’s application guidance states that there are no late applications for international students.
7. Consider alternative universities
If your UKZN programme does not accept late applications, check other South African universities with open 2027 applications rather than waiting until the following academic year.
Final UKZN 2027 Application Checklist
Before submitting your application, make sure you have:
- Checked the correct UKZN application route
- Checked the 30 June 2026 Medicine deadline if applying for MBChB
- Checked the 30 September 2026 deadline for other undergraduate programmes
- Used CAO if you are a first-time South African undergraduate applicant
- Used the UKZN online system if you are an international, postgraduate or eligible returning applicant
- Prepared your South African ID or passport
- Prepared Grade 11/12 results
- Prepared your final matric certificate if applicable
- Prepared previous academic records if applicable
- Prepared USAf/SAQA documentation if required
- Paid the correct application fee
- Used the correct payment reference
- Uploaded all required documents
- Allowed 24–48 hours for direct UKZN payment clearance where applicable
- Submitted the application before the deadline
- Saved your application/reference number
- Checked your application status regularly
For the UKZN 2027 undergraduate intake, the published deadline is 30 June 2026 for Medicine and 30 September 2026 for other undergraduate programmes. First-time South African undergraduate applicants apply through CAO, while international and several other applicant categories apply directly to UKZN.
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