Molecular biotechnology involves the use of in vitro genetic manipulation and recombinant DNA methods to genetically alter plants, animals and microbes for commercial gain. Molecular biotechnologists aim to correct, modify, enhance or exploit specific genetic traits in their target organisms for a wide range of practical purposes. This includes improving food production, managing diseases, conservation and bioremediation. Biotechnology will play a pivotal role in the future of the medical, agricultural, veterinary and ecological sciences.

The BSc (Biotechnology) programme is an interdepartmental programme with a particular emphasis on molecular biology, which is aimed at empowering students to pursue their interest in biotechnology. Undergraduate training includes exposure to aspects of biochemistry, genetics and microbiology, in addition to the other subjects of a student’s choice. Students are encouraged to decide on their postgraduate research direction during the course of their undergraduate studies and to choose their electives accordingly.

At the undergraduate level, students are provided with a thorough background in the principles of genetics, as well as the application of those principles in fields as diverse as genomics, plant and animal biotechnology, diagnostics and risk determination, bioethics, conservation ecology and population, and behavioural and evolutionary studies.

Graduates acquire skills in numeracy, analytical and critical thinking, as well as creativity in problem solving and data handling, all of which equips them for success in both scientific and non-scientific careers.

Individuals seeking to enrol in programmes such as Biotechnology should be innovative and creative thinkers with curious minds who exhibit inquiry-driven tenacity, display a passion for life-science-related topics and have a fair understanding of mathematics.

For more information, please consult the Faculty webpage.

Graduates mostly find work as laboratory-based researchers or bio-entrepreneurs using medical, animal, plant or microbe-based technologies to develop products and services. If students combine biotechnology with additional qualifications such as law, they will be equipped for success in careers such as patent law, pharmaceutical sales and marketing, project management, computer programming (natural computation) and science journalism. Please note that the level of training and qualification plays an important role in determining the type of work a qualified biotechnologist can pursue.

Important information for all prospective students for 2023

The admission requirements below apply to all who apply for admission to the University of Pretoria with a National Senior Certificate (NSC) and Independent Examination Board (IEB) qualifications. Click here for this Faculty Brochure.

Life Orientation is excluded when calculating the APS. 

You will be considered for final admission to degree studies if space allows, and if you have a National Senior Certificate (NSC) or equivalent qualification with admission to bachelor’s degree studies, and comply with the minimum subject requirements as well as the APS requirements of your chosen programme.

Applicants with qualifications other than the abovementioned should refer to the Brochure: Undergraduate Programme Information 2023: Qualifications other than the NSC and IEB, available at click here.

International students: Click here.

Transferring students

A transferring student is a student who, at the time of applying at the University of Pretoria (UP) is/was a registered student at another tertiary institution. A transferring student will be considered for admission based on NSC or equivalent qualification and previous academic performance. Students who have been dismissed from other institutions due to poor academic performance will not be considered for admission to UP.

Closing dates: Same as above.

Returning students

A returning student is a student who, at the time of application for a degree programme is/was a registered student at UP, and wants to transfer to another degree at UP. A returning student will be considered for admission based on NSC or equivalent qualification and previous academic performance.

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, as per faculty-specific requirements.
• Only ONE transfer between UP faculties and TWO transfers within a faculty will be allowed.
• Admission of returning students will always depend on the faculty concerned and the availability of space in the programmes for which they apply.

Closing date for applications from returning students

Unless capacity allows for an extension of the closing date, applications from returning students must be submitted before the end of August via your UP Student Centre.

Candidates who do not comply with the minimum admission requirements for BSc (Biotechnology), may be considered for admission to the BSc – Extended programme – Biological and Agricultural Sciences, which requires an additional year of study.

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. Students who are upgrading or taking a gap year will not be considered.

All modules will only be presented in English, as English is the language of tuition, communication and correspondence at the University of Pretoria.

Faculty Yearbooks: click here. 

The University of Pretoria has decided not to set a specific closing date for applications to non-selection programmes for 2023. Applications will close when the available study spaces are filled (close on availability of space). Once the available number of study places for a specific programme are filled, no further applications for that particular programme will be considered. All applicants are therefore strongly advised and encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible after 1 April 2022 and to check the application site (UP Student Portal) regularly. 

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.

• Disclaimer: This publication contains information about regulations and programmes of the University of Pretoria. Amendments to or updating of the information may be effected from time to time without prior notification. The accuracy, correctness or validity of the information contained here is therefore not guaranteed by the University at any given time and is always subject to verification. The user is kindly requested to verify the correctness of the information with the University at all times. Failure to do so will not give rise to any claim or action of any nature against the University by any party whatsoever.