Global Engagement

Only currently registered UKZN candidates who meet the following requirements are eligible for selection:

1.Must be in possession of a South African identity document

2.Must be a registered undergraduate student at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

3.Must be enrolled in the second or third year (if registered in a 4 year degree)of their degree programme with an average of 70%.

4.Must enroll for courses for which credits can be transferred towards the completion of their degree at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

5.Must seek approval from their Academic Leader, Principal Academic Officer and Dean for the courses chosen at the host university.

Every semester second year students that meet the academic requirement of 70% are invited via e-mail to apply for the Student Exchange Programme:

Application must be made on the UKZN Exchange application form

*Downloadable in the Link Below:

Click here to download

Application and Selection Process

Step 1:

Look at the list of student exchange agreements.

Step 2:

Go to the various websites to see if the Universities in the list offer courses that are equivalent to courses that you would have taken at UKZN in the semester that you will be away. The onus is on you to ensure that the courses taken can be credited at UKZN on your return.

Step 3

Complete the UKZN Student Exchange Application form.

Step 4:

Approval for courses is required from the Academic Leader: School Teaching and Learning, Dean and Head of School as well as the Principal Academic Officer. The Academic Leader: School Teaching and Learning will need to verify that the courses chosen are equivalent to the courses required in the semester in which you will be away. You will need to download the course syllabus/description for the Academic Leader to determine equivalence. All the signatures are essential before submitting the Application Form.

Step 5:

The following documents must accompany the application form:

-A letter of motivation explaining why you want to participate in the student exchange programme

-Two letters of reference from professors/lecturers on campus

-Financial Aid letter or sponsorship letter if applicable

-Original Academic Record

-2 ID Photos

Submit the complete package as directed in the Application Form.

Step 6:

Your application will then be evaluated and based on your academic suitability, letters of reference and your ability to be an ambassador of UKZN. The UKZN Student Exchange Selection Committee then meets to shortlist students. If you have been short listed you will then be notified about the date of when you will be interviewed by the Selection Committee. If you have been accepted to participate in an exchange programme, you will be given written notification, the relevant fee agreement and contract agreement documents and asked to confirm your acceptance by signing these documents.

Step 7:

You will then be asked to complete an application for your host institution, which will be forwarded to the host institution for final approval. Please note that acceptance from the host university can take several weeks. You are not officially accepted by the host institution until your host university has approved your application and you have received an official letter of acceptance from them. Please note that academic acceptance by the host institution is not guaranteed.

Step 8:

Prior to your departure, you will have to attend a pre-departure orientation. This is conducted by the Student Exchange Coordinator. Your attendance at the orientation programme is compulsory. It is also your responsibility to gather information on your own (via the Internet, travel agencies, etc.) to make sure that you are well-informed about your host institution and country.

Step 9:

It is your responsibility to inform and provide relevant flight details, and contact details (phone number or e-mail address of yourself or next of kin in case you need to be urgently contacted by the Student Exchange Programme prior and during your travel to the host institution. You will also be required to notify the Student Exchange Office (+27 31 260 2870, ukznsep@ukzn.ac.za) once you have arrived at your destination.

Step 10:

You need to keep the Student Exchange Office informed during the semester if issues, changes, progress and any other matters if academic importance whilst you are abroad.

Please note that the Selection Committee reserves the right to withdraw their acceptance of a student to participate in the UKZN exchange programme should it be brought to their knowledge that a selected candidate would not be suitable ambassador to UKZN. The student concerned would then be notified in writing about this decision.

Student wishing to participate in the UKZN SEP must take into consideration the cost of the programme. The following guidelines will assist you in determining how the finances are managed:

Students will be responsible for their own expenses including travel, travel documents (Passports and visas), subsistence, accommodation, medical care, insurance and any other costs

Participants are required to arrange/apply for their own travel/immigration documents, air tickets, health insurance, and vaccinations.

In all cases students will not be charged tuition at the host university while some universities will waive accommodation and meals. For example, if you are exempt from paying for tuition, accommodation and meals at the host institution, this means that you will have to pay for them at UKZN prior to your departure abroad. These fees are based on rates taken from the relevant International Related Fee Booklet.

Please note that if you are the dependant of a UKZN staff member you are exempt from tuition fees only at UKZN. You will still be expected to pay local accommodation and meal fees depending on the conditions stipulated in the exchange agreement with the host institution.

Selected candidates must have:

–   Settled all outstanding fees

–   Paid for tuition etc for the exchange programme prior to their departure

    Please check with the list of exchange agreements (click here) to ensure that you are clear about the conditions of the agreement and the costs that you will be liable for at UKZN.