Plants are fascinating organisms and much is still unknown about their potential uses. It is, however, well known that plants are the best factories for synthesising valuable natural products. The Department of Plant and Soil Sciences is a large department that offers both BSc and BScAgric degrees.

The Department is dynamic, innovative, modern and relevant. Staff members undertake world-class research and 70% of them have received NRF ratings. Much of the research is of an applied nature, and contributes to the improvement of agricultural crops and methods, knowledge of plant diseases, the use of plant- derived compounds, biodiversity and plant biotechnology.

In medicinal plant science, students learn about the discovery and use of plant medicines and phytotherapeutically important molecules obtained from plants. In plant biotechnology, molecular tools and the use of model plants are discussed to study whole- plant physiology. Gene and promoter identification, transfer techniques for plant improvement and the analysis of plant transcriptomes for plant improvement using micro-arrays are investigated. In the study of plant diversity and ecology, students learn about South Africa’s rich and diverse vegetation and how to facilitate conservation and management strategies for future generations.

During the first two years of study, students are exposed to a range of subjects in the biological sciences. They can specialise during their third year. The Department specialises in plant diversity and ecology, plant biotechnology and medicinal plant science. In the third year, students do several practical sessions and experience plants in their natural habitat during a field excursion. Postgraduate degrees are also offered. The one- year full-time or two-year part-time honours degree includes a research project and some theoretical modules. At the master’s and doctoral degree levels, students are required to complete research projects in one of the Department’s research fields.

For more information, please consult the Faculty webpage.

• 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.

Careers range from working in a laboratory to studying plants in their natural environment. Graduates could be employed at biotechnology and pharmaceutical firms, South African National Parks, private ecological companies and research institutions such as the CSIR, ARC and South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI).

• The closing date is an administrative admission guideline for non-selection programmes. Once a non-selection programme is full and has reached the institutional targets, then that programme will be closed for further admissions, irrespective of the closing date. However, if the institutional targets have not been met by the closing date, then that programme will remain open for admissions until the institutional targets are met.
• The following persons will be considered for admission: candidates who are in possession of a certificate that is deemed by the University to be equivalent to the required National Senior Certificate with university endorsement, candidates who are graduates from another tertiary institution or have been granted the status of a graduate of such an institution, and candidates who are graduates of another faculty at the University of Pretoria.
• Life Orientation is excluded from the calculation of the Admission Point Score (APS).
• Grade 11 results are used for the conditional admission of prospective students. Final admission is based on Grade 12 results.
• Please note that the Faculty does not accept GED and School of Tomorrow qualifications for entry into our programmes.

Transferring students

Candidates previously registered at UP or at another university

The faculty’s Admissions Committee considers applications of candidates who have already completed the final NSC or equivalent qualification examination and/or were previously registered at UP or another university, on grounds of their final NSC or equivalent qualification results as well as academic merit.

Candidates previously registered at a FET college or a university of technology

The faculty’s Admissions Committee considers the application of these candidates on the grounds of their final NSC or equivalent qualification results as well as academic merit.

Qualifications from countries other than South Africa

• Citizens from countries other than South Africa and South African citizens with foreign qualifications must comply with all the other admission requirements and the prerequisites for subjects/modules.
• In addition to meeting the admission requirements, admission is based on the performance in the TOEFL, IELTS or SAT, if required.
• Candidates must have completed the National Senior Certificate with admission to degree studies or a certificate of conditional exemption on the basis of a candidate’s foreign qualifications, the so-called “Immigrant” or “Foreign Conditional Exemption”. The only condition for the “Foreign Conditional Exemption” that is accepted is: ‘completion of the degree course’. The exemption certificate is obtainable from Universities South Africa (USAf). Detailed information is available on the website at click here.

University of Pretoria website: click here

*  Cambridge A level candidates who obtained at least a D in the required subjects, will be considered for admission. Students in the Cambridge system must offer both Physics AND Chemistry with performance at the level specified for NSC Physical Sciences in the table above.

*  International Baccalaureate (IB) HL candidates who obtained at least a 4 in the required subjects, will be considered for admission. Students in the IB system must offer both Physics AND Chemistry with performance at the level specified for NSC Physical Sciences in the table above.

Candidates who do not comply with the minimum admission requirements for BSc (Plant Science), may be considered for admission to the BSc – Extended programme — Biological and Agricultural Sciences. The BSc – Extended programme takes a year longer than the normal programme to complete.

The Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences is a diverse faculty with 13 departments that is supported by more than 20 centres and institutes. More than 5 000 students register in this faculty annually of which 70% are undergraduate and 30% postgraduate students.

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.

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.