KwaZulu-Natal College of Nursing invites qualifying KwaZulu-Natal residents to apply for the three-year Diploma in Nursing Programme for the 2027 academic year.
Nursing Programme Application Closing Date: 31 August 2026
Nursing Programme Location: KwaZulu-Natal College of Nursing, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
KwaZulu-Natal College of Nursing Applications for 2027
Applications are open for the KwaZulu-Natal College of Nursing Diploma in Nursing Programme for the 2027 academic year.
The programme is offered through the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health and is intended to prepare students for professional nursing practice through academic learning and clinical training.
Applicants must meet the prescribed academic requirements, be residents of KwaZulu-Natal and submit all required documents through the official online application portal.
Programme Overview
Institution: KwaZulu-Natal College of Nursing
Programme: Diploma in Nursing
Academic year: 2027
Reference number: KZNCN 2/2026
Qualification level: NQF Level 6
Duration: Three years
Total credits: 368
SAQA ID: 115826
SANC regulation: R171
Province: KwaZulu-Natal
Application method: Online only
Closing date: 31 August 2026
About the Diploma in Nursing Programme
The Diploma in Nursing Programme combines theoretical nursing education with practical clinical experience.
Students may receive training in areas such as:
- Patient assessment.
- General nursing care.
- Health promotion.
- Disease prevention.
- Primary healthcare.
- Community healthcare.
- Maternal and child healthcare.
- Mental-health nursing.
- Clinical teamwork.
- Professional nursing practice.
Successful completion of the programme may enable graduates to pursue registration in accordance with the applicable South African Nursing Council requirements.
Official Qualification Information
The programme details are:
| Programme detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Qualification | Diploma in Nursing |
| NQF level | Level 6 |
| Duration | Three years |
| Total credits | 368 |
| SAQA ID | 115826 |
| SANC regulation | R171 |
| Reference number | KZNCN 2/2026 |
Requirements for Applicants Who Completed Grade 12 Before 2008
Applicants who completed Grade 12 before 2008 must have:
- A National Senior Certificate at NQF Level 4.
- A minimum Admission Point Score of 25.
- A maximum of six relevant highest subject scores.
The required subjects and achievement levels are:
English
- Higher Grade: E or better; or
- Standard Grade: D or better.
Biology, Physical Science, Chemistry or Physiology
- Higher Grade: E or better; or
- Standard Grade: D or better.
Mathematics
- Higher Grade: E or better; or
- Standard Grade: D or better.
Applicants must ensure that they meet all the subject requirements before submitting an application.
Requirements for Applicants Who Completed Grade 12 From 2008 Onwards
Applicants who completed Grade 12 from 2008 onwards must have:
- A National Senior Certificate.
- A Diploma Pass or higher.
- A minimum Admission Point Score of 25.
The required subjects include:
- English at Level 4.
- Home Language or First Additional Language at Level 3.
- Mathematics at Level 3; or
- Mathematical Literacy at Level 5.
- Life Sciences at Level 4; or
- Physical Sciences at Level 4.
- Life Orientation at Level 4.
Life Orientation is compulsory but is not included when calculating the APS score.
Minimum APS Requirement
Applicants require a minimum APS of:
25 points
The six highest relevant subjects are used when calculating the APS.
Life Orientation must not be included in the APS calculation.
Applicants should calculate their points carefully because applications that do not meet the minimum academic requirements may be disqualified.
KwaZulu-Natal Residency Requirement
Applicants must be residents of KwaZulu-Natal Province.
Proof of residence must be uploaded as part of the application.
The residential address provided may be verified by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health.
Applicants who do not live in KwaZulu-Natal may not meet the programme’s eligibility requirements.
Applicants Currently Studying Elsewhere
Applicants who are currently registered for studies at another institution will not be considered.
Applicants should therefore carefully review their current registration status before applying.
Other Sources of Study Funding
Applicants who are already receiving another source of funding for study purposes will not be considered.
The supplied information does not provide a complete list of funding types that fall under this restriction.
Applicants should disclose their funding status accurately when completing the application.
Previous KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health Bursary Support
Applicants must submit a signed affidavit confirming that they have not previously benefited from the Department of Health bursary system at the KwaZulu-Natal College of Nursing.
The affidavit must be signed before a Commissioner of Oaths.
Failure to upload the required affidavit may result in disqualification.
Required Application Documents
Applicants must upload:
- A copy of the Matric certificate.
- A copy of the South African identity document.
- Proof of residence; or
- An affidavit confirming the residential address.
- A signed affidavit confirming that the applicant has not previously benefited from the Department of Health bursary system at the KwaZulu-Natal College of Nursing.
All uploaded documents must be clear and readable.
Failure to upload any compulsory document will result in the application being disqualified.
Document Verification
Shortlisted applicants may later be required to submit certified original documents for verification.
The department may verify:
- Matric certificates.
- Academic results.
- Identity documents.
- Residential addresses.
- Affidavits.
- Other information supplied in the application.
Applicants must ensure that all information is truthful and consistent.
Information Not Confirmed in the Advertisement
The official information supplied does not confirm:
- Tuition fees.
- Student accommodation.
- Monthly stipends.
- Bursary funding.
- Campus allocations.
- The number of available spaces.
- Transport assistance.
- Study materials.
- Uniform allowances.
Applicants should not assume that any of these benefits are included unless they receive confirmation from the KwaZulu-Natal College of Nursing.
How to Apply for KwaZulu-Natal College of Nursing Diploma in Nursing Programme 2027
Applications must be submitted online through the official KwaZulu-Natal College of Nursing application portal.
Click here to apply for KwaZulu-Natal College of Nursing Diploma in Nursing Programme 2027
Applicants should:
- Open the official online application portal.
- Register an applicant account where required.
- Complete all compulsory personal and academic information.
- Enter the correct programme and reference details.
- Upload the Matric certificate.
- Upload the South African identity document.
- Upload proof of KwaZulu-Natal residence.
- Upload the required Commissioner of Oaths affidavit.
- Check that all documents are readable.
- Review the application before submitting it.
- Submit the application by 31 August 2026.
Application Methods Not Accepted
The KwaZulu-Natal College of Nursing will not accept applications submitted by:
- Email.
- Post.
- Hand delivery.
- Fax.
Only applications submitted through the official online portal will be considered.
Nursing Programme Application Closing Date
Applications close on:
31 August 2026
Applicants should submit early to avoid delays caused by technical problems, missing documents or heavy traffic on the application portal.
Late applications may not be considered.
Selection and Communication
The Diploma in Nursing Programme is competitive, and a high number of applications may be received.
Only successful or shortlisted applicants may be contacted.
Meeting the minimum requirements does not automatically guarantee admission.
Selection may depend on:
- Academic performance.
- Subject requirements.
- APS score.
- Document completeness.
- KwaZulu-Natal residency.
- Verification outcomes.
- Available programme spaces.
- Other official selection requirements.
Important Application Conditions
Applicants should note that:
- A minimum APS of 25 is required.
- Life Orientation is compulsory but excluded from the APS calculation.
- Applicants must live in KwaZulu-Natal.
- Applicants currently studying elsewhere will not be considered.
- Applicants with another source of study funding will not be considered.
- All compulsory documents must be uploaded.
- Residential information and certificates may be verified.
- Only online applications will be accepted.
- Shortlisted applicants may be asked to provide certified documents.
Application Checklist
Before submitting the application, confirm that:
- You meet the correct academic requirements for the year in which you completed Grade 12.
- You have an APS of at least 25.
- You meet the English requirement.
- You meet the Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy requirement.
- You meet the Life Sciences or Physical Sciences requirement.
- You completed Life Orientation at the required level.
- You are a KwaZulu-Natal resident.
- You are not currently registered for studies elsewhere.
- You are not receiving another source of study funding.
- Your Matric certificate is ready.
- Your South African identity document is ready.
- Your proof of residence is ready.
- Your required affidavit has been signed by a Commissioner of Oaths.
- All documents are clear and readable.
- You apply online by 31 August 2026.