Professor Nana Poku

Vice-Chancellor and Principal

POSTGRADUATE APPLICATION GUIDE 2024 UNIVERSITY OF KWAZULU-NATAL

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OUR VISION

To be the Premier University of African Scholarship.

OUR MISSION

A truly South African University that is academically

excellent, innovative in research, critically engaged

with society and demographically representative,

redressing the disadvantages, inequities and

imbalances of the past.

General Information

Introduction 2

A Choice of Campuses 4

Entrance Requirements 6

Entrance Procedures 10

Residence and Subsistence Costs 14

Services and Facilities 16

International Applicants 22

Postgraduate Qualification Listings

College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science 28

College of Health Sciences 33

College of Humanities (including Education) 37

College of Law and Management Studies 42

All information in this Prospectus was correct at the date of publication, July 2023.

Published by Student Academic Administration

EDGEWOOD CAMPUS

Private Bag X03, Ashwood, 3605

Tel: +27 (0)31 260 3414/3245

Email: enquiries@ukzn.ac.za

HOWARD COLLEGE CAMPUS

Mazisi Kunene Road, Durban, 4041

Tel: +27 (0)31 260 7757/2238/2212

Email: enquiries@ukzn.ac.za

NELSON R MANDELA SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

Private Bag 7, Congella, Durban, 4013

Tel: +27 (0)31 260 4999 (international students, volunteers)

Tel: +27 (0)31 260 4122/4495/4745/4416

(M Med, M Med Sci, PhD)

Pmb: Tel: +27 (0)33 260 6797

Email: scmpgrad@ukzn.ac.za

PIETERMARITZBURG CAMPUS

Private Bag X01, Scottsville, 3209

Tel: +27 (0)33 260 5212/5214/5022

Email: enquiries@ukzn.ac.za

WESTVILLE CAMPUS

Private Bag X54001, Durban, 4000

Tel: +27 (0)31 260 2011/3417/7877

Email: enquiries@ukzn.ac.za

UNIVERSITY OF KWAZULUNATAL CONTACT DETAILS

www.facebook.com/ukzn1

www.ukzn.ac.za

CONTENTS

POSTGRADUATE APPLICATION GUIDE 2024 UNIVERSITY OF KWAZULU-NATAL

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T he University of KwaZulu-Natal was

formed on 1 January 2004 as a result of a

merger between the former Universities of

Durban-Westville and Natal. The new institution

brings together the academic expertise and

research capacity of two major regional

universities and is at the forefront of higher

educational transformation in South Africa.

The University is home to the region’s leading

academics and has an impressive number of

internationally acclaimed scientists and researchers

among its staff, as rated by the National Research

Foundation. The full spectrum of research is

supported, from curiosity-driven to application-

based, and participatory action research with

community partners. Research is conducted by,

and in association with, members of the academic

staff, associated research units, industry, business,

government, local communities and international

institutions and agencies.

UKZN’s vision is to be the ‘Premier University

of African Scholarship’. It strives to reflect the

society in which it is situated, not only in terms

of race, gender and class, but in how it structures

its values and priorities and how it responds

through its research to social needs. KwaZulu-

Natal provides fertile soil for researchers and

the University’s mission commits the institution

to critical engagement with its society and

encourages practical research that will lead

to socioeconomic upliftment of communities.

This outcomes-driven approach has led to the

establishment of inter-disciplinary ‘centres of

excellence’ devoted to particular projects and

often involves collaboration with institutions

from around the world.

Research and postgraduate training programmes

are directed in the following research focus

areas, which have been identified on the basis

of institutional proven strengths and strategic

objectives: Agriculture and Food Security;

Biotechnology; Energy and Technology for

Sustainable Development; Gender, Race and

Identity; HIV/Aids, TB and Health promotion;

Indigenous African Knowledge Systems; Maritime

Studies; Social Development and Economic

Studies; Water Environment and Biodiversity.

The University has formal and informal ties, as

well as having established exchange programmes

with leading universities around the world. At

present, 20% of the total student registrations

are in postgraduate studies. The Research Office,

headed by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research,

is responsible for the management and nurturing

of knowledge production and dissemination

through partnerships and places strong emphasis

on collaborative research. The Division also assists

staff and postgraduate students with grant

applications, contracts, intellectual property

rights and related administrative matters, as both

a return as well as a return capacity development.

Senior academics take pride in the mentorship

provided to graduate students, encouraging

them to develop their skills in critical appraisal

and independent thought.

The University provides a vibrant environment

for basic and applied research, and offers

internationally recognised postgraduate research

degrees in all disciplines.

Research innovation is a cornerstone of the

University and as an institution of higher learning,

research excellence is recognised and supported

as part of its essential identity. The University

is committed to growing its existing research

capacity further and leading the bid to bring South

African and African scholarship to the attention of

the international community. At the same time,

we recognise that excellence in research and

knowledge production should lead to practical

interventions in national development strategies,

and should be directed to the upliftment of poor

and underdeveloped communities.

Postgraduate students at the University have

the opportunity to contribute towards these

interventions. The University’s strategic priorities

are informed by both national and international

needs and opportunities and provide

considerable scope for cutting-edge research.

INTRODUCTION

POSTGRADUATE APPLICATION GUIDE 2024 UNIVERSITY OF KWAZULU-NATAL

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Pietermaritzburg Campus

Pietermaritzburg is located in the centre of the

KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, close to numerous nature

reserves and parks, an hour’s drive from Durban

and two hours from the Drakensberg. The city has

a rich architectural heritage, with fine examples of

Victorian and Edwardian buildings. The city is the

birthplace of the former University of Natal and

its forerunner, the Natal University College, which

opened its doors to 57 students in 1910. Two years

later, Old Main Building was completed and the

hub of the present-day Pietermaritzburg Campus

was established. The Campus offers a range of

innovative academic programmes, successful in

responding to local and provincial needs in the

broad areas of Science and Agriculture, Education,

Law, Human and Management Sciences. The

disciplines of Agriculture, Theology and Fine Art are