University of ZululandUNIZULU

The University of Zululand, usually called UNIZULU, is a comprehensive university on the north coast of KwaZulu-Natal. It started in 1960 as the University College of Zululand, a college linked academically to the University of South Africa, and became a university in its own right in 1970. It opened to students of all races in 1986. The university describes itself as the only university north of the uThukela River.

Teaching happens on two campuses in the uMhlathuze area. The main campus is at KwaDlangezwa, a rural campus that houses all four faculties and most student services, including student housing and the financial aid office. The Richards Bay campus opened in October 2009 as an urban day campus focused on vocational and industry-linked programmes, including certificates and diplomas in commerce and management.

The university reports more than 15 000 full-time and part-time students and about 252 accredited degree, diploma and certificate courses. These sit in four faculties: Humanities and Social Sciences; Education; Science, Agriculture and Engineering; and Commerce, Administration and Law. Qualifications run from a one-year higher certificate in accountancy through diplomas and bachelor's degrees to honours, postgraduate diplomas, master's degrees and doctorates. Science students who fall short of direct entry can take an augmented or foundation stream that spreads the first year over two years with extra support. After a national review, the Council on Higher Education granted full accreditation to the university's Bachelor of Laws degree.

First-year undergraduates do not apply to the university directly. They apply online through the Central Applications Office (CAO), which charges an application fee of R250. For the 2026 intake, the CAO cycle opened on 1 March 2025 and each faculty's closing date was 31 October 2025. Postgraduate and returning students use the university's own application forms.

Entry is based on the National Senior Certificate and an admission point score. For 2026, the higher certificate needed 22 points and a certificate pass, most diplomas needed 24 points and a diploma pass, and most degrees needed 26 to 30 points and a bachelor's pass, plus subject minimums set by each programme. The university notes that meeting the minimum only makes an applicant eligible for selection and does not guarantee a place.

For funding, the university directs students to apply to NSFAS themselves, keeps a bursaries and loans page listing outside funders, and offers payment plan and debit order forms for fees.