Geography serves as a bridging science and links the human sciences with the natural sciences. Geography is also a spatial science that studies the location and distribution of cities and human activities, such as agriculture and tourism, as well as the processes, patterns, problems and potential solutions associated with these activities. Furthermore, geography is a planning and management science that aims to improve the quality of life of all people. Environmental science incorporates the study of the physical, chemical and biological processes that take place on the earth, as well as the social, political and cultural processes that affect the planet. The critical problems facing us, such as climate change and changes in biodiversity/ecosystems, require an integrated approach. Students should strive to understand the complex relationships between humans and the environment by drawing on a diverse range of disciplines.
Geographers and environmental scientists study processes, relationships and interdependence in the natural environment, and how humans impact them. Most careers in this field focus on managing, monitoring and understanding the environment, as well as on environmental planning. Hence, a practitioner must be in a position to provide scientific or technical guidance, communicate scientific or technical information to the public and provide advice on proper standards and regulations.
The BSc (Geography and Environmental Sciences) programme comprises fundamental modules that develop general skills. Training in spatial analytical techniques include GIS and remote sensing, and enable graduates to analyse complex environmental issues. Students can also select modules from other disciplines.
Environmental Sciences is a study of the multitude of interaction between the living (including humans) and non-living components of the earth. As a result of an increase in the human population and technological advances, our impresiions of the environment have become more widespread and create complex, multidisciplinary challenges, for example the impact on ecosystems, natural resources, human health and well-being.
For more information, please consult the Faculty webpage.
Geography and environmental sciences offer a range of career paths, including teaching, research (for a variety of bodies) and the application of geographical knowledge and skills in practice. Graduates can focus on environmental management; urban issues such as informal settlements; regional and rural development; and environmental health or environmental issues, including pollution, climate change and the understanding and addressing of negative impacts on biodiversity/ ecosystem services through activities such as mining, agriculture and tourism.
Environmental specialists act as consultants in the fields of environmental analysis and management, environmental law, environmental standards, environmental management systems and environmental auditing. They are needed by, among others, professionals in private sector institutions involved with environmental issues, for example, transport and civil engineers, town and regional planners and landscape architects.
In the private sector, graduates are generally employed by real estate, planning, architectural and engineering firms, and by banks, tourism organisations, environmental conservation bodies and industry. Government departments such as the Departments of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF), Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD), Water and Sanitation (DWS), Tourism (DT), Basic Education (DBE) and Higher Education and Training (DHET), and Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) also employ these graduates, as do parastatal organisations such as the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS), the South African Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Many graduates are also self-employed, working mainly in areas such as marketing, planning, development, tourism, cartography, remote sensing, environmental analysis, social impact assessments and environmental auditing.
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Applications for this plan have closed.
Important information for all prospective students for 2022
Transferring students
A transferring student is a student who, at the time of application for a degree programme at the University of Pretoria (UP) –
A transferring student will be considered for admission based on
Note: Students who have been dismissed at the previous institution due to poor academic performance, will not be considered for admission to UP.
Returning students
A returning student is a student who, at the time of application for a degree programme –
A returning student will be considered for admission based on
Note: Students who have been excluded/dismissed from a faculty due to poor academic performance may be considered for admission to another programme at UP. The Admissions Committee may consider such students if they were not dismissed more than twice. Only ONE transfer between UP faculties will be allowed, and a maximum of two (2) transfers within a faculty.
Important faculty-specific information on undergraduate programmes for 2022
University of Pretoria website: click here
Minimum requirements | |||
Achievement level | |||
English Home Language or English First Additional Language | Mathematics | Physical Sciences | APS |
NSC/IEB | NSC/IEB | NSC/IEB | |
5 | 5 | 5 | 34 |
Candidates who do not comply with the minimum admission requirements for BSc (Geography and Environmental Sciences), may be considered for admission to the BSc – Extended programme – Physical Sciences, which requires an additional year of study.
BSc – Extended Programme – Physical Sciences Minimum requirements | |||
Achievement level | |||
English Home Language or English First Additional Language | Mathematics | Physical Sciences | APS |
NSC/IEB | NSC/IEB | NSC/IEB | |
4 | 4 | 4 | 28 |
Note:
*The BSc – Extended programmes are not available for students who meet all the requirements for the corresponding mainstream programme.
*Please note that only students who apply in their final NSC or equivalent qualification year will be considered for admission into any of the BSc – Extended programmes.
3 years, full-time.
The Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences is home to more than 6 500 undergraduate and postgraduate students. The Faculty presents degrees in fields ranging from the proverbial A to Z – from actuaries to zoologists, and consists of 13 departments.
All degree programmes are designed to develop problem-solving individuals who can easily adapt to changing circumstances and take the lead in their chosen fields of specialisation. The qualifications awarded are of world-class and provide access to a multitude of career opportunities for dynamic and creative people. According to the latest Times Higher Education World University Rankings the University has achieved new world rankings in Physical Sciences, a discipline which features strongly in NAS and also maintains excellent positions on the ISI Web of Science (WOS) field rankings in Plant and Animal Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, and Environment and Ecology Sciences.
In the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, we strive to continuously improve our high impact research and significantly address the national shortage of PhD graduates that respond to global and local challenges.
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