University of KwaZulu-Natal Term Date 2026
UKZN Sessional Dates 2026 – Howard College, Pietermaritzburg and Westville
FIRST SEMESTER: Monday, 06 February – Thursday, 22 Jun
EASTER VACATION: Saturday, 08 April – Monday, 17 April
WINTER VACATION: Friday, 23 Jun – Sunday, 16 July
SECOND SEMESTER: Monday, 17 July – Monday, 27 November
UKZN Sessional Dates 2026 – School of Education
Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine – Sessional Dates 2026
PRE-SEMESTER: | |||
Mon, 02 – Fri, 06 Jan | Tue, 03 Jan | University opens | |
Mon, 09 – Fri, 13 Jan | Mon, 09 Jan | (Programme specific) Self-help registration system opens | |
Mon, 16 – Fri, 20 Jan | |||
Mon, 23 – Sat, 28 Jan | Sat, 28 Jan | Parents’ Day | |
Mon, 30 Jan– Sat, 04 Feb | Mon, 30 Jan– Fri, 03 Feb | Orientation of students | |
Thu, 02 – Sat, 04 Feb | On campus registration of students | ||
SEMESTER 1: | |||
1 | Mon, 06 – Fri, 10 Feb | Mon, 06 Feb | First Semester commences |
Lectures commence | |||
Fri, 10 Feb | Deadline for applications for re-marks | ||
2 | Mon, 13 – Fri, 17 Feb | ||
3 | Mon, 20 – Fri, 24 Feb | ||
4 | Mon, 27 Feb – Fri, 03 Mar | Fri, 03 Mar | Final date for minimum fee payment required for student registration |
Final date for 1st Semester registration | |||
Final date for requests for extended DPs | |||
5 | Mon, 06– Fri, 10 Mar | Fri, 10 Mar | Final date for submitting curriculum changes |
Final registration date for returning Masters (by research) and Doctoral students. | |||
Final day for capturing graduation decisions onto ITS for the students who had outstanding requirements.
(Honours, Bachelors, Diplomas and Certificates) |
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6 | Mon, 13 – Fri, 17 Mar | Fri, 17 Mar | Final day for capturing graduation decisions onto ITS (Doctoral and Masters Studies) |
7 | Mon, 20 – Fri, 24 Mar | Tues, 21 Mar | Human Rights Day (Public Holiday) |
8 | Mon, 27 Mar – Sat, 01 April | Sat, 01 (till Mon, 10 Apr) | Graduation Ceremonies (WVL) |
9 | Mon, 03 – Fri, 07 Apr | ||
Sat, 08 – Mon, 17 Apr | EASTER VACATION (STUDENT MID-TERM BREAK) | ||
Tue, 11 – Wed, 12 Apr | Graduation Ceremonies (PMB) | ||
Fri, 14 Apr | Good Friday (Public Holiday) | ||
Mon, 17 Apr | Family Day (Public Holiday) | ||
10 | Tue, 18 – Fri, 21 Apr | Fri, 21 Apr | Final date for withdrawal from a module |
Final date for withdrawal from the University (Semester 1) | |||
Final timetable for main & supplementary exams released | |||
11 | Mon, 24 – Sun, 30 Apr | Thu, 27 Apr | Freedom Day (Public Holiday) |
Sun, 30 Apr | Final date for payment of 60% of fees for year registrations or 100% for semester 1 registrations | ||
12 | Mon, 01 – Fri, 05 May | Mon, 01 May | Workers’ Day (Public Holiday) |
13 | Mon, 08 – Fri, 12 May | ||
14 | Mon, 15 – Fri, 19 May | Wed, 17 May | DP refusals published |
Thu, 18 May | Lectures end | ||
Fri, 19 – Tue, 23 May | Study period | ||
15 | Mon, 22 – Fri, 26 May | Mon, 22 May | Final date for submission of DP Appeals to School Offices |
Wed, 24 May | First Semester Exams commence (incl. Saturdays) | ||
16 | Mon, 29 May – Fri, 02 Jun | Exam week | |
17 | Mon, 05 – Fri, 09 Jun | Thu, 08 Jun | First Semester Exams end |
Fri, 09 Jun – Tue, 13 Jun | Break between exams | ||
18 | Mon, 12 – Fri, 16 Jun | Wed, 14 Jun | 1st Semester Supplementary Exams commence |
Fri, 16 Jun | Youth Day (Public Holiday) (no exams) | ||
19 | Mon 19 – Fri, 23 Jun | Thu, 22 Jun | Supplementary Exams end |
First Semester ends | |||
Semester 1:
|
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Fri, 23 Jun – Sun, 16 Jul | MID-YEAR BREAK (Winter Vacation) | ||
Sun, 25 Jun | Eid-Al-Fitr (condoned absence) | ||
Mon, 03 Jul
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Supplementary Exam marks to be captured on SMS by 12h00 | ||
Mon, 10 Jul
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Release of 1st semester results after Exam Boards at 00:01 am | ||
Second semester registration commences |
SEMESTER 2: | |||
1 | Mon, 17 – Fri, 21 Jul | Mon, 17 Jul | Second Semester commences |
Lectures commence | |||
Final date for requests for extended DPs | |||
Wed, 19 Jul | |||
Thu, 20 Jul | Deadline for submission of Exclusion Appeals | ||
Fri, 21 Jul | Deadline for applications for re-marks | ||
2 | Mon, 24 – Fri, 28 Jul | Mon, 24 Jul | CEACOM meetings (College Exclusion Appeals Comm.) |
On or before Thu, 27 Jul | AEACOM meeting | ||
Fri, 28 Jul | Final date for payment of all fees required for student registration (2nd semester). | ||
Final date for registration – 2nd Semester | |||
Final date for submitting curriculum changes | |||
3 | Mon, 31 Jul – Fri, 04 Aug | ||
4 | Mon, 07 – Fri, 11 Aug | Wed, 09 Aug | National Women’s Day (Public Holiday) |
5 | Mon, 14 – Fri, 18 Aug | ||
6 | Mon, 21 – Fri, 25 Aug | ||
7 | Mon, 28 Aug – Fri, 01 Sep | Thu, 31 Aug – Fri, 01 Sep | Eid-Al-Adhah (condoned absence) |
Thu, 31 Aug | Final date for payment of all fees | ||
8 | Mon, 04 – Fri, 08 Sep | ||
9 | Mon, 11 – Fri, 15 Sep | Fri, 15 Sep | Final date for withdrawal from the University (Sem. 2) |
Final date for withdrawal from a module | |||
Final timetable for main and supplementary examinations released | |||
Sat, 16 Sep – Mon, 25 Sep | STUDENT MID-TERM BREAK | ||
Thu 21 – Fri, 22 Oct | Rosh Hashanah (condoned absence) | ||
10 | Mon, 25 – Sat, 30 Sep | Mon, 25 Sep | Heritage Day (Public Holiday observed) |
Sat, 30 Sep | Yom Kippur (condoned absence) | ||
11 | Mon, 02 – Fri, 06 Oct | ||
12 | Mon, 09 – Fri, 13 Oct | ||
13 | Mon, 16 – Fri, 20 Oct | Thu,, 19 Oct | Diwali/Deepavali (Condoned absence) |
14 | Mon, 23 – Sun, 29 Oct | Mon, 23 Oct | DP refusals published |
Tue, 24 Oct | Lectures end | ||
Wed, 25 – Sun, 29 Oct | Study period | ||
Thu, 26 Oct | Final date for submission of DP Appeals to School Offices | ||
15 | Mon, 30 Oct – Fri, 03 Nov | Mon, 30 Oct | Second Semester Exams commence (incl. Saturdays) |
Final date for submission of College handbooks for 2026 | |||
16 | Mon, 06 – Fri, 10 Nov | Exam week | |
17 | Mon, 13 – Sun, 19 Nov | Tue, 14 Nov | Second Semester Exams end |
Wed, 15 – Sun, 19 Nov | Break between Exams | ||
18 | Mon, 20 – Sat, 25 Nov | Mon, 20 Nov | 2nd Semester Supplementary Exams commence |
19 | Mon, 27 Nov– Fri, 01 Dec | Mon, 27 Nov | 2nd Semester Supplementary Exams end |
Second Semester ends | |||
Fri, 01 Dec | Last day for submission of theses/dissertations to the Post-Graduate Administrative Offices for possible April 2026 Graduation | ||
Semester 2:
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YEAR-END BREAK: | |||
Mon, 04 – Fri, 08 Dec | Fri, 08 Dec | Supplementary marks to be captured on SMS by 12h00 | |
Mon, 11 – Fri, 15 Dec | Fri, 15 Dec | Release of 2nd semester results after Exam Boards Need Information or Confused about Something ? Ask a Question(00:01 am) |
|
Sat, 16 Dec | Day of Reconciliation (Public Holiday) | ||
Mon, 18 – Fri, 22 Dec | Fri, 22 Dec | University Offices close |
Please note: The University of KwaZulu-Natal reserves the right to change any of the said Sessional Dates, solely in its discretion, and without any liability for inconvenience and/or loss occasioned thereby.
Related Resources
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Complete Guide to NSFAS Online Loan Application for South African Students (2025)
If you are a South African student looking to pursue higher education but are facing financial difficulties, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is one of the most accessible funding options available. NSFAS provides financial aid in the form of bursaries and loans to qualifying students at public universities and TVET colleges in South Africa.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the NSFAS loan application process, from eligibility requirements to application steps and frequently asked questions.
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The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a government-funded financial aid scheme aimed at helping students from low- and middle-income households to access tertiary education without the burden of upfront fees.
NSFAS offers both bursaries and income-contingent loans:
- Bursaries: For eligible students who meet academic and household income criteria (especially for TVET and university students).
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✅ Who Qualifies for an NSFAS Loan?
To qualify for an NSFAS loan (especially for postgraduate students or programs not funded under the bursary system), you must:
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📚 Courses Funded by NSFAS
NSFAS primarily funds undergraduate qualifications, but certain postgraduate programs (e.g., PGCE, postgraduate diplomas in education, and professional courses like LLB) may be considered under the NSFAS loan scheme, not bursaries.
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📄 Required Documents for NSFAS Application
When applying, make sure you have the following documents scanned and ready:
- Certified copy of your South African ID or Smart Card.
- Parent(s) or guardian(s) ID documents.
- Proof of income (latest payslips, UIF, or affidavit if unemployed).
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- Proof of registration or acceptance at a public institution.
- Academic transcripts (for continuing or postgraduate students).
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Step-by-Step NSFAS Online Application Process (2025)
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Visit the NSFAS Website
Go to: https://www.nsfas.org.za
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Create an Account
- Click on “MyNSFAS” and register your profile.
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Login and Start the Application
- After registration, log in to your MyNSFAS account.
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Fill in Your Personal Details
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Upload Required Documents
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Track Your Application
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🗓️ Important NSFAS Dates (2025)
- Application Opening Date: September 1, 2025
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- Appeals Period: February 2026 (if rejected)
- Disbursement: After registration and approval
Note: Dates are subject to change; always confirm on the official NSFAS website.
💸 What Does the NSFAS Loan Cover?
NSFAS funding typically includes:
- Tuition fees
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- Meals and transport
- Learning materials (e.g., textbooks)
For loans, repayment is only required once you start working and earn above a threshold (around R30,000 annually, but subject to change).
🔄 NSFAS Loan Repayment
Repayments are:
- Income-contingent – you only repay when you can afford to.
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You can also apply for a partial loan conversion to a bursary if you perform well academically.
🔁 How to Appeal a Rejected NSFAS Application
If your application is rejected, you may submit an appeal via your MyNSFAS portal:
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📱 NSFAS Contact Information
- Website: https://www.nsfas.org.za
- Email: info@nsfas.org.za
- Toll-Free Number: 08000 67327 (Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM)
- Twitter: @myNSFAS
- Facebook: NSFAS
📝 Final Tips Before Applying
- Apply early to avoid system overload near the deadline.
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By following this guide, you can confidently apply for NSFAS funding and move one step closer to achieving your academic and career dreams—without the burden of immediate financial pressure.