Universities › UKZN
University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN): first-year costs
Durban (eThekwini) & Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. 46,624 students (2024 headcount, HEDA / DHET HEMIS data). Official site: https://www.ukzn.ac.za. Fee year: 2026. Figures checked 25 October 2026.
Work out a first-year total at UKZN
Labels: official Published by the university or NSFAS · est. Our estimate (method in the note) · NSFAS ref NSFAS allowance used as a reference amount, not a measured cost · secondary Third-party page quoting the university · unverified We could not load the official page; figure seen only in a search index of it. All amounts are 2026 fees in rand unless stated. 2027 fees are not yet published. We have not added any assumed increase.
Tuition for first year, by faculty band
UKZN 2026 'approximate annual fees' per degree (tuition only).
Source: University of KwaZulu-Natal: UKZN Student Fees Booklet 2026 (local) · checked 25 October 2026
| Faculty band | Annual tuition, first year |
|---|---|
| Commerce / business | R41 894 – R63 618official BAdmin R41,894 to BCom Accounting R63,618 (BCom R57,836). Source: University of KwaZulu-Natal: UKZN Student Fees Booklet 2026 (local) · checked 25 October 2026 |
| Law | R54 911official LLB. Source: University of KwaZulu-Natal: UKZN Student Fees Booklet 2026 (local) · checked 25 October 2026 |
| Engineering / built environment | R64 167 – R64 910official BSc Eng streams. Source: University of KwaZulu-Natal: UKZN Student Fees Booklet 2026 (local) · checked 25 October 2026 |
| Humanities / arts | R43 631 – R74 178official Source: University of KwaZulu-Natal: UKZN Student Fees Booklet 2026 (local) · checked 25 October 2026 |
| Education | R47 854official BEd. Source: University of KwaZulu-Natal: UKZN Student Fees Booklet 2026 (local) · checked 25 October 2026 |
| Health sciences | R45 551 – R65 584official BNursing to MBChB. Source: University of KwaZulu-Natal: UKZN Student Fees Booklet 2026 (local) · checked 25 October 2026 |
| Natural / computer sciences | R57 448 – R65 881official BSc Agriculture streams to BSc (generic). Source: University of KwaZulu-Natal: UKZN Student Fees Booklet 2026 (local) · checked 25 October 2026 |
Payments before or at registration
These are usually credited to your fee account. They are cash you need early, not an extra cost on top of fees. NSFAS-funded students are often exempt (see the notes).
| Payment | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition registration fee | R7 300official Tuition registration fee (local). Not required if NSFAS funding is confirmed. Source: University of KwaZulu-Natal: UKZN Financial Clearance 2026 · checked 25 October 2026 |
| Residence registration fee | R6 800official Residence registration fee (local). Not required if NSFAS funding is confirmed. Source: University of KwaZulu-Natal: UKZN Financial Clearance 2026 · checked 25 October 2026 |
Where you live: residence, private or commuting
Durban (Howard College, Westville, Edgewood, Medical School) (metro for NSFAS caps)
| Option | Annual cost |
|---|---|
| Residence (all degrees) | R48 896official Excludes July/December vacations. Source: University of KwaZulu-Natal: UKZN Student Fees Booklet 2026 (local) · checked 25 October 2026 |
| Private accommodation | Varies. Enter your own rent in the calculator. For comparison, NSFAS caps accommodation in a metro area at R65 993 (catered) or R52 000 (self-catering) NSFAS ref Source: NSFAS via gov.za: NSFAS on payment of 2025 student allowances (12 Mar 2025) · checked 25 October 2026 |
| Living at home and commuting | Depends on how far you travel and how you get there. Enter your daily fare in the calculator. For comparison, the NSFAS transport allowance is R8 190 a year NSFAS ref Source: NSFAS via gov.za: NSFAS on payment of 2025 student allowances (12 Mar 2025) · checked 25 October 2026 |
Page for the Durban (Howard College, Westville, Edgewood, Medical School) campus
Pietermaritzburg (non-metro for NSFAS caps)
| Option | Annual cost |
|---|---|
| Residence (all degrees) | R48 896official Booklet gives one rate for all campuses. Source: University of KwaZulu-Natal: UKZN Student Fees Booklet 2026 (local) · checked 25 October 2026 |
| Private accommodation | Varies. Enter your own rent in the calculator. For comparison, NSFAS caps accommodation in a non-metro area at R56 633 (catered) or R42 640 (self-catering) NSFAS ref Source: NSFAS via gov.za: NSFAS on payment of 2025 student allowances (12 Mar 2025) · checked 25 October 2026 |
| Living at home and commuting | Depends on how far you travel and how you get there. Enter your daily fare in the calculator. For comparison, the NSFAS transport allowance is R8 190 a year NSFAS ref Source: NSFAS via gov.za: NSFAS on payment of 2025 student allowances (12 Mar 2025) · checked 25 October 2026 |
Page for the Pietermaritzburg campus
Other first-year costs
| Item | UKZN figure | Reference if none published |
|---|---|---|
| Meals (self-catering or private) | R37 400official UKZN's guideline for sponsors: subsistence incl. living and meal allowances in KZN, per year. Source: University of KwaZulu-Natal: UKZN Student Fees Booklet 2026 (local) · checked 25 October 2026 | R17 160 NSFAS living allowance NSFAS ref Source: NSFAS via gov.za: NSFAS on payment of 2025 student allowances (12 Mar 2025) · checked 25 October 2026 |
| Books and study materials | R9 500official UKZN's suggested book allowance (depends on college/level). Source: University of KwaZulu-Natal: UKZN Student Fees Booklet 2026 (local) · checked 25 October 2026 | R5 678 NSFAS learning materials allowance NSFAS ref Source: NSFAS via gov.za: NSFAS on payment of 2025 student allowances (12 Mar 2025) · checked 25 October 2026 |
| Laptop and data | R10 000official UKZN's suggested laptop allowance. Source: University of KwaZulu-Natal: UKZN Student Fees Booklet 2026 (local) · checked 25 October 2026 | NSFAS lets students spend the learning materials allowance on a device. Source: NSFAS: NSFAS 2026 Bursary Guidelines – Annexure A · checked 25 October 2026 |
| Personal costs | not published / not found | R3 167 NSFAS personal care allowance (catered residence) NSFAS ref Source: NSFAS via gov.za: NSFAS on payment of 2025 student allowances (12 Mar 2025) · checked 25 October 2026 |
Key dates
| 6 February 2026 | UKZN 2026: final date for minimum registration fees 2026 pattern. Source: University of KwaZulu-Natal: UKZN Student Fees Booklet 2026 (local) · checked 25 October 2026 |
| 31 August 2026 | UKZN 2026: all fees due 2026 pattern. Source: University of KwaZulu-Natal: UKZN Student Fees Booklet 2026 (local) · checked 25 October 2026 |
| 30 September 2026 | UKZN 2027 applications closed via CAO (all except Medicine) (closed) Medicine closed 30 June 2026. Source: University of KwaZulu-Natal: UKZN – 2027 Applications · checked 25 October 2026 |
Add UKZN and NSFAS dates to your calendar (.ics)
What we couldn't find
- Campus-specific residence rates
- 2027 registration dates
Sources used on this page: UKZN – 2027 Applications, UKZN Financial Clearance 2026, UKZN Student Fees Booklet 2026 (local). Fees change every year, so confirm with UKZN before you pay.