Program Overview

BScAgric in Applied Plant and Soil Sciences 5-year Programme

Programme Information

The Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in Applied Plant and Soil Sciences is a five-year, full-time degree programme. It teaches the principles of plant-based agriculture within the disciplines of agronomy, horticultural science, pasture science, and soil science. Graduates can embark on a diverse range of careers in the agricultural and environmental fields.

Students who have a keen interest in plants and soil, would like to improve their understanding of the environment, and want to make a difference in the world are the ideal candidates for this degree. Graduates make a direct contribution to sustainable food production, while simultaneously protecting our natural resources.

This programme is unique in terms of the combination of disciplines taught within the degree. Students are exposed to the various fields within plant production and soil sciences, which ensures that graduates are well-rounded and able to access a wide array of career opportunities, or make informed decisions on specialisation should they wish to continue with postgraduate studies.

Our graduates are highly sought after and often have to choose between several offers of employment.

The degree is accredited by the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP), and graduates can be registered as professional natural scientists.

Career Opportunities

• Public sector: The Agricultural Research Council (ARC); government departments that address issues related to agriculture and rural development, water supply, conservation, and the environment; the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR); provincial departments of agriculture and nature conservation; the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI); municipalities; South African National Parks; and national farming and food production agencies.
• Private sector: Companies involved in seed, fertilizer, and plant protection research, development, and marketing; environmental planning and management; nurseries; vegetable, fruit, ornamental, and cut flower production; and irrigation.
• Entrepreneurial: Consultants to producers of crops, pastures, vegetables, medicinal and aromatic plants, and ornamental and cut-flowers; landscaping enterprises; managing own farms and nurseries for extensive (field) or intensive (tunnel/greenhouse) production systems involving various crops; and managing companies specialising in irrigation, reclamation, and soil conservation.
• Extension services involving knowledge transfer: Nature conservation; national and provincial departments of agriculture and the environment; environmental management and rehabilitation, including mine lands; nurseries; crop, turf grass, and weed management; private companies servicing field crops, vegetables, medicinal and aromatic plants, fruit, ornamental, and cut-flower production.

Faculty Notes

All modules will only be presented in English, which is the University's official language of tuition, communication, and correspondence.

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.

Admission Requirements

• Important information for all prospective students for 2026: 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.
• Minimum requirements:
  • Achievement level:
    • English Home Language or English First Additional Language: 58%
    • Mathematics: 58%
    • Physical Sciences: 58%
    • APS: 30
  • Life Orientation is excluded when calculating the APS.
  • Applicants currently in Grade 12 must apply with their final Grade 11 (or equivalent) results.
  • Applicants who have completed Grade 12 must apply with their final NSC or equivalent qualification results.
  • Please note that meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee admission.
  • Only students that have completed school in the last two years and have not studied at a tertiary institution will be considered for this programme.

Minimum Duration

5 years, full-time

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.