University of KwaZulu-Natal

Areas of Study: African Studies, Anthropology, Architecture, Art History, Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Communication Studies, Computer Science, Development Studies, Drama, Earth Science, Ecology, Economics, Engineering (Chemical, Civil, Computer, Electrical, Mechanical), English, Entrepreneurship, Environmental Science, Finance, Fine Arts, Food Science, Geography, Geology, Graphic Design, Greek & Roman Studies, Health Sciences, History, Human Resources, International Studies, Linguistics, Management, Marine Biology, Marketing, Math, Media Studies, Microbiology, Music, Nutrition, Philosophy, Political Science, Physics, Psychology, Religious Studies/Theology, Social Work, Sociology, Soil/Agricultural Science, Sport Science, Statistics, Supply Chain Management, Tourism, Translation, and Languages (French, Greek, IsiZulu, Italian, Kiswahili, Latin).

Course Information: Courses at UKZN are called "Modules". Module information is available online in each faculty's Handbook in the "Syllabi" section.

UKZN offers many African topical courses! Some popular courses in the past include: Culture & Society in Africa, Development in Southern Africa, South African Literature, African Ethics and the Post-Colonial Condition, Africa: Art of a Continent, Trade Unions in South Africa, Aspects of South African Law, Popular & Traditional Musics: Africa and Beyond, African Philosophy and Ethics, Politics and Public Policy in Southern Africa, African Politics and Development, South Africa: Apartheid and After, African & International Perspectives on Psychology, African Theology, Contemporary African Politics & Development, South African Families and Households, Media in South Africa, African Philosophy and Ethics, Politics & Law in South Africa, African Religious Systems of Thought, Hinduism in South Africa, Islamic Institutions in South Africa, Development Activism in Africa, Biophysical Environments of Southern Africa

The year is made up of two semesters: 

• Semester 1 (equivalent to UCalgary Winter) runs from mid-February to late June
• Semester 2 (equivalent to UCalgary Fall) runs from late July to late November

Students can attend either semester, however full-year exchange students must study from February to November.

Students are housed in one of the self-catered on-campus Halls of Residence.  

This exchange is open to regular, full-time students in any faculty at UCalgary, who have completed at least 1 full year (10 courses) at the post-secondary level, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 (B-).

Two reference letters will be required, for submission directly to UKZN after you have been approved for the exchange by UCalgary. Please do not approach your professors until after you receive the exchange approval and are sent further instructions.

For applicants from the UCalgary Faculty of Law, one of your reference letters must be written by a Law Faculty Professor and submitted at the time of your application to UCalgary. Please click here to view the reference letter guidelines & submission instructions.

There are five campuses for UKZN. Four of the campuses are located in Durban and one is inland in Pietermaritzburg, the capital of KwaZulu-Natal province. The Howard College Campus, Westville Campus and Pietermaritzburg Campus are the most common campuses that our students study at.

Students with disabilities can consult with the Disability Office.

Student Experience: "Both my education and career path has been altered by this experience. I have a greater respect and gratefulness for education as a whole being so accessible in the West. It has inspired me to work harder as I now can see that not everyone gets this opportunity. The most challenging part was the acceptance that it was all going to come to an end. When you study abroad, you build a life in this new place. You build friendships, a routine, hobbies, habits, etc. It is hard to come to terms with the fact that this exchange is temporary. I loved every second of it."