UKZN Bursaries and Funding

The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) allocates bursaries to needy South African students and scholarships to academically outstanding students, whatever their country of origin. It also runs merit awards for top Grade 12 learners and administers NSFAS funding. The details below come from UKZN's 2027 undergraduate prospectus.

Merit awards for top Grade 12 learners

UKZN awards Grade 12 merit scholarships once it receives the Department of Basic Education's results, so you do not apply separately. You must apply through the CAO and be offered a place at UKZN. You can receive only one scholarship per academic year.

• Pius Langa Scholarship: R50,000 for NSC learners ranked in the top ten in each province, and KwaZulu-Natal IEB learners ranked in the top 50 nationally
• Frene Ginwala Scholarship: R20,000 for the top ten African female entrants
• Entrant Merit Scholarships: R25,000 for level 7 in at least six academic subjects, or R20,000 for level 7 in at least five, excluding Life Orientation and Mathematical Literacy

Most of these awards can be kept for the next year if you achieve a weighted average of at least 80% on a full-year load, or 70% for the Frene Ginwala Scholarship. UKZN also offers prestige sports scholarships for learners who played at national or provincial level.

NSFAS and financial aid

UKZN gives provisional funding packages to financially needy entrants who apply to NSFAS. The package is mainly an NSFAS bursary, available only to South African citizens, and is confirmed after UKZN assesses your total cost of study. NSFAS confirms funding only once you have submitted the completed application form and your documents and family income have been verified. Indicate on your CAO form that you need financial assistance.

Eligibility

• Loans or loan-bursaries: family gross income of no more than R350,000 a year
• UKZN bursaries, mostly for returning students: family income of no more than R300,000, an average above 65% and all registered courses passed

If you want UKZN to consider you for its own assistance too, complete the application for the DHET Missing Middle Grant.

Other awards

The Cecil Renaud and Victor Daitz Undergraduate Merit Awards go to financially needy and academically outstanding students after their first year. Contract bursaries from companies usually require you to work for the funder for a year for each year funded.

What funding covers

UKZN estimates that a year in 2027 costs about R85,000 for tuition, a bed in residence and food. Funding packages are not 100% of your need, so every student is expected to contribute something. Funding for new international students is not available. Browse our bursaries, or see UKZN fees.