Top Matriculants Enrol at UKZN as 2025 Academic Year Kicks-Off

The 2025 academic year has successfully kicked off at UKZN, with the University welcoming top achieving matric students, who unanimously agree that the Institution is a top academic destination, citing its renowned reputation and commitment to academic excellence and research.

Last year (2024) the University received over 290 600 individual applications for approximately 8 600 first-year places in 2025. The most popular courses applied for are Bachelor of Education, Bachelor of Nursing, and Bachelor of Social Science.

The high flyers who garnered top spots in their Colleges say they are confident that pursuing a UKZN qualification could open boundless opportunities in their fields of study.

Ms Philisiwe Ngubane, who enrolled in an MBChB program at the Medical School, says she has always had a strong passion for studying medicine and knew that she had to excel to get into the field. Matriculating with seven distinctions and an aggregate of 94%, this stellar student of Zuzulwazi Secondary School in Pietermaritzburg aims to be the change she wants to see in the world by working towards creating a country where access to medical attention is guaranteed.

Mr Melusi Ncwana, whose passion for climate change influenced him to enroll for a Bachelor of Social Science degree in Geography and Environmental Management, put his high school, Mandlenkosi High, on the map by earning a first place within the District of Lindelani, a township on the outskirts of Durban. Ncwana, who scored six distinctions, securing an aggregate of 90%, said he was inspired to study at UKZN by his uncle, who is now working overseas. ‘My uncle studied at UKZN and landed a job abroad, which shows me that UKZN is one of the best and pursuing a qualification here can open limitless opportunities.’

Ms Minenhle Ngobese of Mnyamande Secondary School was the top scholar in the Dannhauser municipal area, scoring eight As in her matric year. A Bachelor of Laws (LLB) candidate, she chose UKZN because of its undisputed reputation for producing high-performing students.

Enrolled for a Chemical Engineering degree because of its combination of science, mathematics, and problem-solving, Ms Damara Ganes said she was interested in the field due to the diverse career paths and opportunities to impact change. As a Westville Girls High School alumnus, Ganes achieved seven As and an average of 91% in her matric year. She chose UKZN because of its proximity to home and lauded the Engineering department.

The students attributed their success in matric to a supportive family structure, studying consistently, managing their time effectively, and exercising self-discipline. They remarked on how the same energy would be carried throughout their studies at University ‘while including some rest and a bit of fun to maintain the balance,’ Ganes bantered.

Words: Hlengiwe Khwela

Photographs: Supplied