Durban University of Technology (DUT)

Durban University of Technology, known as DUT, is a university of technology with campuses in Durban and Pietermaritzburg. It formed through a merger in 2002 and now has about 33,000 students. First-time undergraduate students apply through the Central Applications Office, rather than directly to DUT.

About DUT

DUT brought together two older institutions, ML Sultan Technikon and Technikon Natal. The merged institution was first called the Durban Institute of Technology. It later became the Durban University of Technology, in line with a national change that turned technikons into universities of technology.

Campuses and faculties

DUT has five campuses in Durban and two in Pietermaritzburg, including the Indumiso campus in Imbali. It teaches through six faculties: Accounting and Informatics; Applied Sciences; Management Sciences; Engineering and the Built Environment; Health Sciences; and Arts and Design. So your campus depends on your programme.

Applying to DUT

First-time undergraduate applicants apply through the Central Applications Office, or CAO, which handles applications for several KwaZulu-Natal institutions. On one CAO form, you can list choices at different universities and colleges. Check the CAO website for the current closing dates and application fee, since they apply across all participating institutions.

Applications usually open early in the year before you plan to study, and popular programmes fill quickly. So apply in the first half of your matric year, and keep your CAO reference number for tracking your application.

Fees and funding

Tuition depends on your programme. Many DUT qualifications include work-integrated learning, where students gain workplace experience as part of their studies. Qualifying students can apply for NSFAS, and many companies fund DUT students in engineering, IT and the health sciences. Browse our bursaries for more options.

Is DUT right for you?

DUT suits students in KwaZulu-Natal who want a practical, career-focused qualification. Because the CAO lets you apply to several institutions at once, you can list DUT alongside other choices on the same form.

Look closely at each programme's entry requirements before you rank your choices. Technical fields, such as engineering and the health sciences, usually set higher subject levels in Mathematics and Physical Sciences than other programmes.

Also consider which campus you can reach most easily. With five sites in Durban and two in Pietermaritzburg, travel time can make a real difference to your daily study routine.

Before you apply to DUT

Use the CAO handbook to compare DUT's requirements with those of your other choices. Rank your choices in the order you prefer them, and keep your CAO reference number. If a programme includes work-integrated learning, ask how placements work before you accept an offer.