University of Zululand (UNIZULU)

The University of Zululand, known as UNIZULU, is a comprehensive university in northern KwaZulu-Natal. Its main campus is at KwaDlangezwa, near Empangeni, and it has a second campus in Richards Bay. It began in 1960 and now has more than 15,000 full-time and part-time students.

About UNIZULU

The university started in 1960 as the University College of Zululand, a college affiliated to the University of South Africa. It opened officially in 1961, with Professor PAW Cook as its first rector. UNIZULU gained university status in 1970, and it opened to students of all races in 1986.

Faculties and campuses

The KwaDlangezwa campus is the main campus and is home to all four faculties: Science, Agriculture and Engineering; Commerce, Administration and Law; Education; and Humanities and Social Sciences. The Richards Bay campus, completed in 2009, offers programmes such as public relations, transport management and hospitality management. So your campus depends on the programme you choose.

Applying to UNIZULU

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. Check the CAO website for the current closing dates and the application fee, because they apply across all the participating institutions.

Applications usually open early in the year before you plan to study. So start 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 and campus. Residence adds to the cost if you live on campus. Qualifying students can apply for NSFAS, and the KwaZulu-Natal government and local municipalities also fund students from the region. Browse our bursaries for more funding options.

Is UNIZULU right for you?

UNIZULU suits students from northern KwaZulu-Natal who want to study close to home. The Richards Bay campus also links students to the port city's transport and hospitality industries. Because you apply through the CAO, you can include UNIZULU alongside other KwaZulu-Natal universities on the same form.

Check each programme's entry requirements before you rank your choices, since fields such as engineering and the sciences set higher subject levels than others.

Before you apply to UNIZULU

Use the university's prospectus to compare the points score and subject levels for each programme on your list. Then decide whether you want to study at KwaDlangezwa or in Richards Bay, because the two campuses teach different programmes. Apply for residence at the same time if you will need housing.