KZN students embark on university journey as 2025 academic year begins
As universities open their doors for the 2025 academic year, thousands of first-year students from KwaZulu-Natal prepare for their tertiary education journey.
With the University of KwaZulu Natal (UKZN) receiving over 290 000 applications for just 8 600 places, we speak to ambitious local students pursuing their dreams across South Africa.
The first-year intake for 2025 at UKZN’s Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine is 250 students and the most popular courses applied for are Bachelor of Education, Bachelor of Nursing and Bachelor of Social Science.
Samir Ramcharan, 18, of Tongaat, will study a Bachelor of business science degree in actuarial science at the University of Cape Town.
“I chose this degree because I have had a passion for numbers and problem solving from a young age. My favourite subject has always been maths. When I researched what actuaries do, I knew it was the perfect fit for me. This career also has amazing job security,” he added.
Ramcharan said entering university was exciting and scary.
“Moving from high school to university is a huge leap into the unknown. From what everyone has told me about university, I could expect the work to be more difficult and far more than school. It will be a huge adjustment but I’m sure I’ll be able to adapt quickly.
“I am quite nervous to move to Cape Town as I will be away from the rest of my family. However, it’s been my goal for many years to go to UCT, so I am quite eager to live out my dream,” he said.
Ramcharan left for Cape Town last Monday with his mom to set up his room at a private residence, five minutes away from the campus.
“My family is worried about me leaving home and the thing I’m going to miss the most is not eating my parent’s food every day. But I learnt to cook, so I’m sure I’ll be fine,” he said.
Shenae Moodley, 18, from Westbrook, will study actuarial science at the University of Pretoria.
“There are lots of reasons that drew me to this field but the main one is job security. Actuarial science is a fairly new and unsaturated field in South Africa and there is a huge demand for actuaries across the country,” she said.
She said entering university was a surreal experience.
“It's a mix of excitement, nervousness and curiosity. It is a big change with new people and a new environment. It feels overwhelming at times, especially with so many things happening at once - like figuring out my schedule, meeting new classmates and adjusting to a different style of learning. But there’s also a thrill in the opportunities to explore your interests and grow to be a more independent person.”
She expects university to be a place of growth, independence, and new experiences away from home.
“Beyond academics, I hope to meet diverse people, form lifelong friendships, and engage in extracurricular activities that broaden my perspective. University also seems like a step toward adulthood. While I anticipate some challenges, I am excited about the opportunities for personal and professional development.
“I am feeling both excited and nervous about the move. It’s a big change. The idea of managing everything on my own, from academics to daily responsibilities, is a bit overwhelming. However, I see this as a great opportunity for personal growth, and I’m hopeful that as I settle in, I’ll become more comfortable and confident in this new chapter of my life,” she added.
Moodley said while she would miss her family and the “comfort of home”, she was eager to embrace this new chapter.
She left home for university on January 24.
“My parents keep giving me advice, reminding me to take care of myself, and making sure I have everything I need. What I will miss most about being at home is the comfort of having my family around, home-cooked meals, and the familiarity of my routine. I’m grateful for their support and know they’ll always be there for me.
“My advice to other students starting university or leaving home to study is to stay connected to your friends and family, especially while living away. It can be an overwhelming experience, and talking to the people closest to me helped me adjust and stay positive,” said Moodley.