UNIZULU Welcomes First Group of 2025 FTENs
The University of Zululand’s (UNIZULU) KwaDlangezwa and Richards Bay campuses were on Monday, 27 January 2025 a destination for thousands of first-time entering students (FTENs) who had come to officialise their “UNIZULU student” status. With a target of 4 200 FTENs for the 2025 academic year, the University has made significant progress, reaching over 60 percent of the set target. According to Deputy Registrar Zakhele Gumede, the registration team had its ducks in a row and was optimistic that FTENs would have a smooth sailing experience.
“Because of the online process, it seems to be simple and straightforward. We are going to take the students step by step. Some of them might not even end up going to the labs to complete their registration, [especially those who have smartphones]. They will just get their proof of registration and student cards here [in the King Bhekuzulu Hall] and proceed to the Department of Housing for accommodation purposes,” said Gumede. He added that because of the efficiency of the iEnabler system, his unit was expecting to register at least 2 000 students – a number which was exceeded.
The University received a staggering 166 489 applications as of December 2024. The majority of the applications were split between 19 academic programmes, with the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences leading with nine popular courses while the faculties of Education; Commerce, Administration and Law; as well as Science, Agriculture and Engineering had three, four and three popular programmes, respectively. The courses with high volumes of applications were:
- Bachelor of Education in Foundation Phase Teaching
- B Nursing Science
- Bachelor of Education in Intermediate Phase Teaching: Languages and Humanities
- Dip Logistics Management
- B Laws
- Diploma in Public Relations Management
- Bachelor of Education in Intermediate Phase Teaching: Languages, Maths, Natural Science & Technology
- Diploma in Media Studies
- B Social Work
- Dip Transport Management
- Diploma in Tourism Management
- Dip Hospitality Management
- BA in Drama, Theatre and Performance
- BA Correctional Studies
- B Tourism: Tourism Studies
- BA in Psychology
- B Consumer Science: Hospitality & Tourism
- BA Industrial Sociology
- B Admin: Public Administration and Business Management
The registration period for returning undergraduate students will begin on Monday, 3 February and end on Friday, 7 February. Honours and master’s course work students will also register during this week.
Master’s and doctoral research students will, however, register from 3 February until Friday, 30 May.
The University has scheduled to commence lectures on Monday, 10 February 2025.
– Naledi Hlefane
