University of Kwazulu Natal UKZN Handbook 2024-2025

The cost of a university education will vary according to individual circumstances, and students are advised to calculate carefully the total financial provision they must make. The cost of a year at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in 2019 is approximately

R70 000 for tuition and a bed in residence.

•In addition, they will also need to provide for books, stationery and equipment, personal expenses, laundry, transport, sports, subscriptions,­ medical expenses and, residence during short vacations.

•UKZN allocates bursaries to needy South African students and scholarships to academically outstanding students regardless of their country of origin; and provides advice and information on financing tertiary studies. Funding for new international students is not available. For more information, see http://studentfunding.ukzn.ac.za.

•Provisional funding packages are awarded to financially needy entrants who apply to NSFAS. The awards will be confirmed after assessment of the total costs of study. This package will be mainly a NSFAS bursary, only available to South African citizens. UKZN also administers bursaries from many donors who contribute to the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s funding for needy students, after the first year of study.

Types of Funding

NSFAS – National Student Financial Aid Scheme

Students should visit the NSFAS website at www.nsfas.org.za to apply for funding.

Bursaries

A bursary does not have to be repaid. Bursaries are normally awarded to needy students with excellent academic results who are seen to be capable of obtaining their degree in the minimum amount of time.

Cecil Renaud and Victor Daitz Undergraduate Merit Awards

Awarded to financially needy and academically outstanding students, after the first year of study.

Contract Bursaries

A contract bursary is usually offered by a company or organisation as part of their human resource initiative and entails working for the donor for at least one year for every year sponsored. A listing of these is available at http://studentfunding.ukzn.ac.za/Homepage.aspx

Eligibility

•Students are eligible to be considered for loans or loan-bursaries if their family’s gross annual income does not exceed

R350 000; or

•Bursaries (mostly for returning students) are awarded after registration at the University of KwaZulu-Natal if a student’s family gross annual income does not exceed R300 000 and their average annual degree mark is greater than 65% with 100% of registered courses passed in the previous academic cycle.

Application Procedure

•Applicants must complete the application form for the DHET Missing Middle Grant if they would like to be considered for possible financial assistance from UKZN as well.

•NSFAS will only confirm funding once an applicant has submitted the completed Application for Financial Assistance Form and after the required documentation and family income have been verified.

Who Will be Offered Funding?

•A full picture is required of an applicant’s financial circumstances. They should provide proof of information required if contacted to speed up their financial aid application.

•NSFAS will advise students regarding the outcome fo their NSFAS funding applications during the first few weeks of the year.

•Every student is expected to pay something towards his or her own costs. Some students will have to pay a family contribution, and all students will have to pay an acceptance deposit of R250 (subject to change for 2020) and to contribute towards their own food and book costs. In addition, funding assistance packages are not 100% of the funding need. This may vary from year to year.

•Applicants must refer to pages 29-30 of this HandBook where costs are set out and discuss with their parents or guardian what their position will be if they are not awarded funds.

•Consider external donors.

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THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2018 BURSARY REGISTER is available from

P.O. Box 178, Florida Hills, 1716

Tel: +27 (0)11 672 6559

or the school library may have a copy.

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•The University of KwaZulu-Natal database can be accessed through the Student Funding Centre Offices and directly through the Internet at the University of KwaZulu- Natal website: www.ukzn.ac.za under ‘Student Portal’ and‘Financial Support and Scholarships’.

•Bursaries offered by companies are also often advertised in the jobs section of newspapers. Applicants should try writing directly to a company or to the association for their intended profession.

Planning Your Finances

Students need to calculate carefully the total financial provision they must make. The cost of a year at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in 2019 is approximately R85 000 for tuition, a bed in residence and food. Examples of the basic costs are given in the table over the page. In addition, students will need to provide for books, stationery and equipment, personal expenses, laundry, transport, sports, subscriptions, medical expenses and residence/ accommodation during short vacations.

For more information on financial assistance, please contact the College advisers at:

COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE, ENGINEERING & SCIENCE

Howard College

Pietermaritzburg

Westville

COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES

Howard College &

COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES

Edgewood Tel: +27 (0)31 260 3603

Howard College Tel: +27 (0)31 260 2231

Pietermaritzburg Tel: +27 (0)33 260 5758

COLLEGE OF MANAGEMENT AND LAW

Guide to Student Fees

The examples of fees provided in the tabulation are for 2019. Fees for 2020 will be set in the second semester of 2019. Please allow for a possible change in fees for 2020.

Academic Fee Structure

Application Fee

•Undergraduate South African applicants­ pay an application fee of R245 (R465 late fee) to the CAO.

•Returning students to the University of KwaZulu-Natal pay an application fee of R200 (R400 late fee) directly to UKZN.

•The application fee is non-refundable and does not form part of the tuition fees at UKZN.

Acceptance Deposit

•If an applicant’s application is successful, they will receive a letter or SMS from the University/ CAO offering them a place to study.

•If they decide to accept the offer, they must pay a R250 (for 2019) acceptance of offer fee/deposit to UKZN in order to secure their place. This fee is non-refundable, cannot be carried forward to a following year, or transferred to another applicant. The amount may change for 2020.

Provisional Fees

Provisional fees are payable before or at registration. The Acceptance of Offer fee forms part of the R3 500 (2019) payable before registration.

Balance of Fees (First Semester)

•At registration, students must make final decisions about the courses/subjects for which they will register. Tuition fees are charged per subject per semester.

•After registration, the actual costs for tuition fees for the first semester will be calculated. The R3 750 (R250 + R3 500 for 2019) is subtracted from the total and an account for the balance will be mailed.

•The balance is to be paid before the end of May.

Second Semester Fees

Second semester fees are payable in full at the start of the 2nd semester in August.

Non-degree/Reduced Load

Students who are registering for subjects for non-degree purposes, or for a reduced load, must contact the Student Fees Office or College Office to determine the correct amount payable.

Mode of Payment

•Payment may be made by means of cheque or postal order, direct deposit into the relevant University banking accounts, or by credit card.

•UKZN offers a payment by installment facility, by means of a debit order against a bank account, for students who are self- funded. Application may be made at the respective Student Fees Offices on each campus as soon as possible after selection and no later than at least a week before registration. Student Fees at UKZN can arrange a debit order system to assist in paying full fees after an initial minimum deposit of ±R3 750 (R250 + R3 500 for 2019).

•Loan recipients who need to pay a high family contribution can also use the debit order facility.

•Students who have any form of bursary or loan must ensure that the funding is available at the time of registration.

•UKZN cashiers do not accept cash amounts exceeding R500.

South African students’banking details

Name of Account: UKZN Student Deposit

Bank: Standard Bank

Type of Account: Business Current Account

Account Number: 05 308 1072

Branch: Westville

Branch Code: 045426

Reference: Student number

International students: See page 36.