UKZN issues scam warning as it prepares to admit 9,000 first-time students

As the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) prepares to admit more than 9,000 first-time entering students for the 2026 academic year, it warns prospective students to be alert to fraudulent activity. UKZN Executive Director for Corporate Relations, Normah Zondo, said the university expects the registration process to proceed smoothly. She reiterated that UKZN will continue with a strictly online registration process and warned about fraudulent activity and scams.

Zondo said the university will not invite applicants to campus to apply or submit documents, stressing that all processes — including accepting offers and submitting change-of-mind requests — will take place online. “Legal action will be taken against any individuals who misuse the university’s name or branding to defraud prospective students,” Zondo said, adding that places at UKZN are not for sale. Members of the public are encouraged to report suspected scams to the South African Police Service.

The university said it will begin issuing firm offers to successful applicants from next week, following the release of the National Senior Certificate (NSC) results on January 13. Offers will be released in batches and will be subject to applicants meeting the conditions attached to their provisional offers. UKZN received more than 326 000 applications for admission, reflecting multiple programme choices per applicant, for a total of 9,124 first-year places available in 2026.

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Highly competitive programmes continue to attract the greatest demand. The Bachelor of Nursing received 27,763 applications, followed by the Bachelor of Education with 25,826 applications, and the Bachelor of Laws, which drew 25,231 applications. Registration for returning students opened online on January 6 and will close on February 13.

First-time entering students will register between February 2 and 7. Access to UKZN campuses will be restricted to individuals who have received confirmation of registration, with proof required at entry points.

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