UKZN Sessional Dates 2025 – School of Education
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
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 | |
Fri, 13 Jan | PhD Orientation and Registration [Edgwd and PMB] | ||
Mon, 16 – Fri, 20 Jan | Mon, 16 Jan – Fri, 10 Feb | Additional Teaching Practice – BEd | |
Mon, 16 Jan – Fri, 24 Feb | Additional Teaching Practice – PGCE [Edgwd and PMB] | ||
Mon, 23 – Sat, 28 Jan | Sat, 28 Jan | Parents’ Day | |
Thu, 26 Jan – Tue, 31 Jan | Orientation BEd | ||
Mon, 30 Jan– Sat, 04 Feb | Mon, 30 Jan– Fri, 03 Feb | Orientation of students | |
Wed, 01 Feb | BEd On campus registration 1st Yrs | ||
Thu, 02 Feb | BEd On campus registration 2nd Yrs | ||
Thu, 02 Feb | Orientation BEdHons [Edgwd] | ||
Orientation MEd [Edgwd] | |||
Thu, 02 Feb | Orientation PGCE [Edgwd] | ||
Fri, 03 Feb | BEd On campus registration 3rd Yrs | ||
BEdHons and MEd [Edgwd] On campus registration {14h00-18h00} | |||
Orientation PGCE [PMB] | |||
Thu, 02 – Sat, 04 Feb | On campus registration of students | ||
Sat, 04 Feb | BEd On campus registration 4th Yrs | ||
PGCE [Edgwd and PMB] On campus registration | |||
Sat, 04 Feb | Orientation and Registration BEdHons [PMB] Orientation and Registration MEd [PMB] |
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SEMESTER 1: | |||
1 | Mon, 06 – Fri, 10 Feb | Mon, 06 Feb | First Semester commences |
Lectures commence | |||
Mon, 06 Feb – Fri, 10 Feb | Classroom Technologies [PGCE Edgwd and PMB] | ||
Fri, 10 Feb | Deadline for applications for re-marks | ||
2 | Mon, 13 – Fri, 17 Feb | Mon, 13 Feb – Tue, 7 Apr | Specific Skills Development [PGCE Edgwd and PMB] Wednesday[PMB] Friday [Edgwd] |
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 | Tue, 07 Mar | Orientation to teaching context PGCE [PMB] |
Wed, 08 Mar | Orientation to teaching context [Edgwd] | ||
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 | Tue, 18 April – Fri, 12 May | PGCE School Experience 610 |
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 | Thu, 4 May – Thu, 11 May | 3rd & 4th BEd Teaching Practice Orientation |
PGCE Teaching Practice Orientation | |||
14 | Mon, 15 – Fri, 19 May | Mon, 15 May | PGCE commence lectures after TP610 |
Wed, 17 May | DP refusals published | ||
Thu, 18 May | Lectures end | ||
Thu, 18 May | 2nd Year Compulsory Orientation | ||
Initial School visit BEd 3rd & 4th years | |||
Initial School visit PGCE [Edgwd and PMB] | |||
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 | Supplementary Exam marks to be captured on SMS by 12h00 | ||
Mon, 10 Jul | 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.) |
Mon, 24 Jul- Fri, 18 Aug | Teaching Practice: BEd 2nd – 4th Years | ||
Mon, 24 Jul- Fri, 01 Sep | Teaching Practice: PGCE [Edgwd & PMB] | ||
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 [except BEd & PGCE] | |||
Final date for submitting curriculum changes [except BEd & PGCE] | |||
3 | Mon, 31 Jul – Fri, 04 Aug | Mon, 31 Jul – Fri, 18 Aug | Classroom Technologies TP120 |
Wed, 02 Aug – Thu, 03 Aug | Compulsory orientation to school contexts 1st Years | ||
4 | Mon, 07 – Fri, 11 Aug | Wed, 09 Aug | National Women’s Day (Public Holiday) |
5 | Mon, 14 – Fri, 18 Aug | Mon, 21 Aug – Fri, 3rd Nov | Micro – Mini TP120 |
Thu, 18 Aug | Teaching Practice end: BEd 2nd – 4th Years | ||
6 | Mon, 21 – Fri, 25 Aug | Mon, 21 Aug | Lectures commence for BEd 1st – 4th Years |
Fri, 25 Aug | Final date for registration – 2nd Semester [BEd only] | ||
Final date for submitting curriculum changes [BEd only] | |||
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 | ||
Fri, 01 Sep | Teaching Practice end: PGCE [Edgwd & PMB] | ||
8 | Mon, 04 – Fri, 08 Sep | Mon, 04 Sep | Lectures commence for PGCE |
Fri, 08 Sep | Final date for registration – 2nd Semester [PGCE only] | ||
Final date for submitting curriculum changes [PGCE only] | |||
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 2025 | |||
16 | Mon, 06 – Fri, 10 Nov | Thu, 09 Nov | Teaching Practice Indaba |
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 2025 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 (00:01 am) |
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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.
Overview of Public Universities in South Africa
Here's an overview of some public universities in South Africa, including general admissions requirements and estimated application periods. Keep in mind, specific program requirements and dates can vary significantly, so it's important to check each university's official website for the most current information.
University of Pretoria
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with minimum scores in specific subjects related to the chosen program; for international students, equivalent qualifications.
- Application Period: Usually opens in March and closes at the end of July for most programs.
University of Cape Town
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with pass levels required for degree study; subject-specific requirements depending on the program.
- Application Period: Application opens in April and closes at the end of July.
Stellenbosch University
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required marks; some programs have additional testing.
- Application Period: Opens in March and typically closes at the end of June.
University of the Witwatersrand
- Admissions Requirements: Matriculation certificate with university exemption; required scores vary by faculty.
- Application Period: Begins in March and ends on the 30th of September.
University of Johannesburg
- Admissions Requirements: Matric exemption with a minimum APS score; specific subject requirements based on the faculty.
- Application Period: Opens in April and generally closes by the 30th of September.
University of the Free State
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific marks for the program applied to; additional requirements for certain courses.
- Application Period: Typically opens in April and closes at the end of August.
University of Venda
- Admissions Requirements: Completion of the National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for diploma or degree studies; specific APS scores needed.
- Application Period: Usually from May to September.
University of Fort Hare
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; certain programs may have specific requirements.
- Application Period: Opens around May and closes at the end of September.
University of the Western Cape
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific performance levels; additional requirements for certain programs.
- Application Period: Generally from May to September.
North-West University
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; program-specific requirements may apply.
- Application Period: Opens in March and usually closes by the end of August.
Rhodes University
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate or equivalent; minimum academic performance in certain subjects.
- Application Period: Applications open in April and close at the end of September.
Nelson Mandela University
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; portfolio or additional tests for some faculties.
- Application Period: Opens in April, with a deadline at the end of August for most programs.
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores; additional requirements for certain courses.
- Application Period: Opens in May and typically closes by the end of September.
University of Limpopo
- Admissions Requirements: Senior Certificate with endorsement for diploma or degree courses; specific APS scores for different programs.
- Application Period: From April to September.
University of Zululand
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for bachelor’s degree studies; specific score requirements for various programs.
- Application Period: Usually between April and November.
Central University of Technology
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores for the chosen field of study; additional criteria for certain programs.
- Application Period: Application period generally starts in May and ends in October.
Vaal University of Technology
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with a pass that qualifies for admission to bachelor’s degree, diploma, or higher certificate programs.
- Application Period: Typically from May to September.
Walter Sisulu University
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; additional criteria for certain faculties.
- Application Period: From April to September.
This list provides a starting point for understanding the admissions landscape across South Africa's diverse higher education institutions. Given the variability in programs and requirements, it's crucial to consult each university's website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.