University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) 2027 Postgraduate Prospectus Summary
This guide covers postgraduate study across four Colleges and five campuses. All information was correct at publication in March 2026.
Application Fee
South African applicants (on time): R210
South African applicants (late): R420
SADC and African international applicants: R490
International applicants outside Africa: US$153
No late international applications accepted.
Closing Dates
PGDip / Certificate / Honours — Semester 1: 30 September 2026
Masters by Coursework — Semester 1: 31 October 2026
Psychology programmes (Clinical, Counselling, Educational, Industrial): 11 August 2026 — the earliest postgraduate deadline in the entire document. Apply directly to the School.
PGDip / Honours / Coursework Masters — Semester 2: 30 April 2027
Masters by Research and Doctoral studies: No closing date — but subject to supervisor availability. Confirm before applying.
Fees — Key Numbers
Research Masters and PhD (full-time, SA students): No tuition fee charged if completed within the minimum period (Masters 1 year, PhD 3 years). Students who exceed the minimum period are charged approximately R18,747 per year.
PGDip / Honours / Coursework Masters (SA students): Fees vary by programme. Example: PGDip in Information Science — R39,826 p.a. Budget for a 5–10% increase on all 2026 figures.
International students (PGDip / Honours / Coursework Masters): US$18,300 per year full-time; US$9,150 part-time.
SADC students: Same fees as SA students plus an international levy of R2,185 per semester.
On-campus residence: R58,175 per year.
College Breakdown
College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science
Entry: Relevant Bachelor's degree for Honours/PGDip. Honours/Bachelor's degree for Masters and PhD. Research Masters and PhD supervised by research — no closing date.
Programmes span Applied Mathematics, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Computer Science, Data Science, Environmental Science, Genetics, Geology, Marine Biology, Physics, Statistics, and the full range of Agricultural and Engineering disciplines. MSc in Engineering is available in Agricultural, Chemical, Civil, Computer, Electrical, Electronic, and Mechanical Engineering.
College of Health Sciences
Entry: Relevant health degree for Honours/PGDip. Four-year degree plus Honours for Masters.
Westville Campus covers Audiology, Occupational Therapy, Speech-Language Therapy, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Sport Science, and Optometry — all offer research Masters and PhD. Nursing Honours, Masters, and PhD plus four Postgraduate Diplomas (Critical Care, Midwifery, Nursing Education, Health Services Management) are at Howard College.
Medical School offers the full range of MMed specialisations (23 clinical disciplines including Surgery, Psychiatry, Radiology, Paediatrics, and Obstetrics & Gynaecology) plus MMed Sci and Master of Public Health. PhD is available in all medical science disciplines.
College of Humanities
Education programmes close 11 August 2026 for Psychology disciplines — confirm all closing dates with the School directly as they vary significantly within this College.
BEd Honours is offered in 10 specialisations including Curriculum Studies, Education Leadership, Gender Education, and Technology Education. MEd and PhD span 15 specialisations. PGCE is offered at Edgewood and Pietermaritzburg.
Arts, Social Sciences, Built Environment, Religion/Philosophy, and Applied Human Sciences each offer Honours, Masters, PhD, and postdoctoral study across both Howard College and Pietermaritzburg campuses. Clinical and Counselling Psychology Masters are coursework programmes with separate earlier deadlines.
College of Law and Management Studies
School of Law: LLM is offered in nine specialisations. Several (Child Care & Protection, Environmental Law, Labour Studies, Taxation, Maritime Law) are part-time only over two years — a detail easy to miss. All Law postgraduate applicants must submit a sample of academic or professional writing done within the past three years.
School of Commerce: Honours, coursework Masters (MCom), and research Masters/PhD across Accounting, Economics, Finance, Management, HRM, and Supply Chain. Research Masters and PhD are subject to supervisor availability — no fixed closing date.
Graduate School of Business and Leadership (GSBL): MBA (part-time), MCom in Leadership Studies, DBA. MBA and DBA close 31 October 2026. Subject to supervisor availability for research degrees.
The VarsityToolkit Insider Tip
The free tuition trap for research students: Full-time Masters and PhD students pay no tuition at UKZN — but only if they complete within the minimum prescribed period (one year for Masters, three years for PhD). Students who take longer are charged approximately R18,747 per year retroactively on a continuing fees schedule. Most students planning a "free" research degree underestimate the time required and end up paying. Budget for at least one continuing year as a contingency, and confirm the exact fee schedule with your College before registering.