University of KwaZulu-Natal

Welcome to one of the largest, oldest and most transformed universities in sub-Saharan Africa – the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), a teaching and research-led university.

Innovative curricula, dynamic teaching and learning, state-of-the-art laboratories and accredited professional degrees have earned UKZN the reputation as a leading higher education institution on the African continent. The University is a top-ranked state-funded university in South Africa for research productivity. Research activities span the natural, biomedical, humanities and social sciences.

The University has a proud and rich heritage of academic excellence. In 2010, UKZN celebrated 100 years of higher education – a centenary of scholarship, innovation and community engagement. UKZN was formed on 1 January 2004 with the merger of the established University of Durban-Westville and the University of Natal.

Our Vision 
To be the Premier University of African Scholarship

Our Mission 
A truly South African University that is academically excellent, innovative in research, critically engaged with society and demographically representative, redressing the disadvantages, inequities and imbalances of the past.

The University promotes access to learning that will increase educational and employment opportunities for the historically disadvantaged. It supports transformation and redress and aims to provide an enabling environment for all its students to ensure individual intellectual development, an awareness of social responsibility and sound ethical practice in our diverse society.

The University’s international partnerships in 46 countries provide an opportunity for direct interface and global academic exchange that enhances scholarship and the student experience.

UKZN is a multi-campus residential university located in two cities, Durban and Pietermaritzburg. The University is structured on a College model with four Colleges, including the College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, College of Health Sciences, College of Humanities and the College of Law and Management Studies. They comprise four to six cognate schools each and offer a comprehensive range of approximately 2000 undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across five campuses: Edgewood, Howard College, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, Pietermaritzburg and Westville.

Why choose UKZN?

UKZN has an international reputation for academic excellence, outstanding research output and African scholarship. We have links with over 250 international institutions, which facilitate ongoing collaborative academic partnerships.

UKZN is able to offer an exceptionally wide range of exciting and innovative multi-disciplinary courses that will broaden perspectives, foster a capacity for independent critical thinking, and provide intellectual tools to develop your mind, while at the same time enhancing your career opportunities in the local and global marketplace.

The University strives to provide an enabling environment for all its students so as to ensure their individual intellectual development, while at the same time provide holistic education which promotes an awareness of social responsibility and sound ethical practice in a diverse society.

And of course not all learning takes place in the lecture theater. UKZN offers extensive sporting, cultural and extramural activities.

International Students: http://ukzninternational.ukzn.ac.za/Homepage.aspx

Student Portal: https://www.ukzn.ac.za/students/students/

Graduate School of Business and Leadership: http://gsbl.ukzn.ac.za

At UKZN, we are passionate about teaching and learning. Our motto ‘Every Student Matters’, transcends the social, cultural and academic discourse across disciplines. The University encourages and embraces diversity in all facets of student experience.

The University of KwaZulu-Natal Teaching & Learning Office (UTLO) is tasked with the responsibility of providing leadership in all areas of teaching and learning and institutional research to realize the University's vision, mission and strategic plan. In fulfilling its mandate, the UTLO seeks to collaborate with academics, researchers and students to create supportive, adaptable and innovative learning environments in which outstanding teaching at all levels is nurtured, recognized and rewarded.

As one of South Africa’s pre-eminent research institutions, UKZN provides a dynamic research and innovation environment to flourish as a researcher.

Research focus areas include: HIV/AIDS, TB and Health Promotion; Social Development and Economic Studies; Water, Environment and Biodiversity; Biotechnology; Agriculture and Food security; Energy and Technology for Sustainable Development; Gender, Race and Identity Studies; Indigenous Knowledge Systems; and Maritime Studies. 

Research Office:

UKZN scientists play an integral role in the global fight against HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis. Internationally recognised research centres are located at UKZN.

UKZN boasts 10 prestigious South African Science and Technology Research Chairs that range from Quantum Information Processing to Gravitating Systems – placing us fourth in the country for the number of such Chairs. UKZN boasts 6 NRF “A” Rated researchers – the fifth highest in the country.

The University has a reputation for academic excellence. A recent ten year analysis by Thomson Reuters using the “InCites” international research analysis tool has rated mathematics research at UKZN number one in the country. According to the report of the Department of Higher Education and Training (DoHET) on the 2012 Institutional Research Publications Outputs, UKZN produced 1,424.22 publications units, which was the highest of the 23 publicly funded universities in South Africa.