UKZN Fees 2027: Application Fee and Tuition Costs

University of KwaZulu‑Natal (UKZN) has not yet published an official 2027 fee booklet or fees schedule on its website. 

This article uses the most recent 2026 official fee information from the UKZN Fees Booklet released by the university. 

This guide explains the application fee, registration requirements, tuition fee structure per faculty, how to pay your fees, and the arrangements for students funded by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). 

Application Fee 2027 (Non‑refundable)

When you apply to the University of KwaZulu‑Natal, you must pay a non‑refundable application fee before your application is processed. 

The 2027 application fee has not been published yet by UKZN. The most recent official figures for 2026 show:

1. For South African applicants, the standard application fee is R210 for on‑time applications and R420 for late applications.
2. Applicants from SADC and other African countries pay R490.
3. Applicants from outside Africa pay $153 (US Dollars) as the application fee.

This application fee must be paid before you submit your application and is non‑refundable even if you do not enrol. 

When the official 2027 application fees are released on the UKZN website, update your application with the exact amount published at University of KwaZulu‑Natal Fees & Funding.

Registration Fee 2027 (Initial Payment)

UKZN does not use a simple single “registration fee” but requires students to make a minimum payment before registration each year. 

Based on the 2026 official UKZN Student Fees Booklet, the required minimum registration fee is:

1. R7 300 tuition deposit, payable by all students other than NSFAS recipients.
2. A further R6 800 residence deposit if you are taking up a place in residence, which brings the upfront amount to R14 100.
3. International students (UKZN counts SADC nationals as international) pay their tuition and residence fees in full before registration, and the university urges them to pay at least two weeks ahead.

These amounts are part of your total annual charge and must be paid before you can be cleared to register. 

If you are funded by NSFAS and the funding is confirmed, you may not need to make this payment yourself before registration. 

Always check the official UKZN student fees portal once the 2027 figures are published for any changes.

Tuition Fee Structure per Faculty

UKZN charges tuition fees based on your study programme and faculty rather than a single annual flat rate. 

Tuition charges are per course or module and depend on the number of modules you register for and your academic load. 

The 2026 Student Fees Booklet states that:

1. Tuition fees vary by your qualification and the courses you register for.
2. Fees are divided by faculty and programme level, such as undergraduate programmes, honours, postgraduate diplomas, masters and doctoral studies.
3. International students pay additional levies depending on whether they are from SADC or outside Africa, and fees for international students are often calculated in US Dollars.

For example, the 2026 international booklet sets undergraduate tuition at US$19 100 a year (US$9 550 a semester, including the international levy) for students from outside SADC, whether elsewhere in Africa or overseas. That figure covers tuition only. SADC students pay local fees plus a levy of R2 400 a semester (R4 800 a year).

Since 2027 official tuition fees are not yet published, these 2026 amounts provide a basis for planning. 

When the 2027 UKZN Student Fees Booklet is released, you will be able to view the detailed fee tables by faculty and programme on the UKZN Registration & Fees Portal.

How to Pay Your Fees (Bank Details)

To complete your fee payments or registration deposit, UKZN requires that all funds be paid into the official UKZN student fee accounts with your student number used as the reference so the payment can be linked to your account. 

UKZN’s registration finance page says the university is preloaded as a beneficiary on all major South African banks under the name “UKZN Student Deposits”. The account behind it, as listed on that page, is Standard Bank, branch code 045426, account number 053081072, with your UKZN student number as the beneficiary reference.

How to make payment:

1. Use electronic funds transfer (EFT) or direct deposit into the UKZN student fees account.
2. Ensure your student number is used as the payment reference.
3. Standard Bank EFTs and branch payments are updated within three hours if the student number reference is correct; payments from other banks can take up to four working days. International transfers need at least two weeks to reflect.

You can confirm the full and updated banking details once the 2027 fees are published on the UKZN Finance Portal.

Fees for NSFAS Funded Students

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) pays tuition and registration deposits directly to UKZN for eligible students. 

If your NSFAS application is approved and confirmed before registration, NSFAS will settle your tuition costs and required minimum registration payment with the university, allowing you to register without making the initial payment yourself.

NSFAS funding may also cover other study‑related allowances such as accommodation, transport or books, depending on your funding package. 

It is important that your NSFAS approval is received and acknowledged by UKZN prior to the registration deadlines so you are financially cleared to start the academic year.