Careers › Science

How to become a Environmental Scientist / Ecologist

Studies ecosystems and how to protect biodiversity and natural resources.

What does a Environmental Scientist / Ecologist actually do?

More about this career

Studies ecosystems and natural resources, and works out how human activity affects them – used in conservation, environmental impact assessments for new developments, and government environmental departments. Expect fieldwork alongside data analysis and report-writing, since most environmental work in South Africa is tied to legally required impact assessments.

Where this degree can take you

  • Ecologist
  • Environmental Consultant
  • Conservation Officer
  • Sustainability Analyst

This is our general description of the role and related jobs, not from an official source – it’s here to give you a fuller picture, not as a careers-counselling guarantee.

Not from an official source

Subjects that usually help

  • Mathematics
  • Life Sciences
  • Geography (helpful)

This is our general guidance about which school subjects suit this career. It is not an admission requirement and not from an official source – the real requirements are on the degrees below.

Not from an official source

Where to check this yourself

What the programmes we’ve captured actually ask for

  • Mathematics – asked for by 36 of 39 programmes
  • Physical Sciences – asked for by 27 of 39 programmes
  • Life Sciences – asked for by 18 of 39 programmes
  • Technical Mathematics – asked for by 5 of 39 programmes
  • Mathematical Literacy – asked for by 3 of 39 programmes
  • Geography – asked for by 3 of 39 programmes

Counted from the requirements below (an “or” alternative counts for each subject named). Each programme links to the page it came from.

Programmes that lead here

39 programmes at 23 universities. More are added as we verify them.

Cape Peninsula University of Technology

Diploma in Environmental Management

Applied Sciences

CPUT APS 28 points (method varies by programme)

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Mathematics: level 3 (40% or more) OR Technical Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more) OR Mathematical Literacy: level 5 (60% or more)
  • Life Sciences: level 4 (50% or more) OR Geography: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 3 (40% or more)

Raw-confirmed 2026-10-04 against CPUT’s own prospectus course page. APS 28 with Mathematics, 29 with Technical Mathematics, 30 with Mathematical Literacy. CPUT calculates this programme’s APS using one of three methods, confirmed from page 3 of CPUT’s own 2027 Undergraduate Prospectus - see CPUT_APS for the arithmetic.

Source: View the official page (prospectus.cput.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Diploma in Environmental Management (Extended Curriculum)

Applied Sciences · 4 years

CPUT APS 26 points (method varies by programme)

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Mathematics: level 3 (40% or more) OR Technical Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more) OR Mathematical Literacy: level 5 (60% or more)
  • Life Sciences: level 4 (50% or more) OR Geography: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 3 (40% or more)

Raw-confirmed 2026-10-04 against CPUT’s own prospectus course page. Extended Curriculum Programme (4 years). APS 26 with Mathematics (the page states higher scores for Technical Mathematics and Mathematical Literacy); students may be admitted with at least 50% in Geography or Life Sciences, subject to space. CPUT calculates this programme’s APS using one of three methods, confirmed from page 3 of CPUT’s own 2027 Undergraduate Prospectus - see CPUT_APS for the arithmetic.

Source: View the official page (prospectus.cput.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Central University of Technology

Bachelor of Hydrology and Water Resources Management

Engineering, Built Environment & IT

CUT APS 28 points out of 49

  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Life Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)

Raw-confirmed 2026-10-04 against CUT’s own programme page (it carries no intake year; applications for 2027 closed 30 September 2026). Mathematical Literacy is not accepted.

Source: View the official page (cut.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Nelson Mandela University

BSc (Environmental Sciences)

Science · 3 years

NMU Applicant Score (AS) 410 out of 600

  • Mathematics: 60%

Raw-read 2026-10-04 from the user-supplied NMU "Undergraduate Programmes 2027" Z-Card (A-Z table of Applicant Scores and subject percentages). Extended Curriculum (4 years): AS 370, Mathematics 50%.

Source: View the official page (mandela.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

North-West University

BSc in Environmental Sciences (Botany, Zoology, Chemistry, Geology, Geography combinations)

Natural & Agricultural Sciences · 3 years

NWU APS 26 points out of 48

  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more) OR Technical Mathematics: level 5 (60% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)

Raw-confirmed 2026-10-04 against the user-supplied NWU 2026 Faculty of Natural & Agricultural Sciences yearbook (admission-requirements tables). Mostly Potchefstroom; some combinations also at Mahikeng. Chemistry and Geography needs Mathematics level 5. NWU adds your six best subjects (excluding Life Orientation) on an 8-point scale, for a total out of 48 - read from NWU’s own APS calculator. The requirement shown is what NWU publishes.

Source: View the official page (studies.nwu.ac.za) (opens the official page)

Rhodes University

BSc (Environmental Science)

Science · 3 years

Rhodes points 45 points

  • English: 60% if it is your Home Language, 65% if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 5 (60% or more) OR Life Sciences: level 5 (60% or more)
  • Life Orientation: level 4 (50% or more)

Raw-confirmed 2026-10-04 against the Rhodes 2026 Undergraduate Prospectus (pages 13-19): points bands, English and subject levels match. Rhodes points of 39-44 are considered at the Dean’s discretion; 45 or more receives a provisional offer. We show 45 as the qualifying number so that "you qualify" means exactly that - but you are still worth an application from 39. Rhodes has no Engineering and no MBChB. The NBT is recommended, not required. Confirmed Environmental Science is a 4-semester major Rhodes also allows under BEcon, BJourn and BA, not only BSc - this row shows the BSc pathway. This is Rhodes’ general Faculty of Science requirement, not an Environmental-Science-specific figure. Life Orientation is not scored, but you need at least 50% in it.

Source: View the official page (ru.ac.za) (opens the official page)

BSc (Geography)

Science · 3 years

Rhodes points 45 points

  • English: 60% if it is your Home Language, 65% if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 5 (60% or more) OR Life Sciences: level 5 (60% or more)
  • Life Orientation: level 4 (50% or more)

Read 2026-10-04 from the Rhodes 2026 Undergraduate Prospectus (18 March 2026): this is a major offered inside the degree named, so entry is the degree’s own. BSc: Rhodes points of 39-44 are at the Dean’s discretion and 45+ gets a provisional offer. Life Orientation is not scored, but you need at least 50% in it.

Source: View the official page (ru.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University

BSc Occupational & Environmental Health Sciences

School of Science and Technology

SMU APS 25

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Life Sciences: level 5 (60% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)

Raw-confirmed 2026-10-04 against SMU’s own admission-requirements page for this school (points and subject minimums match). No Extended Curriculum version of this specific stream was found (only Life/Mathematical/Physical Sciences have one). Closes 31 July 2026 for undergraduate programmes (applications open 1 April 2026) - notably earlier than most universities in this batch.

Source: View the official page (smu.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Sol Plaatje University

From an older document

Bachelor of Environmental Science

Natural & Applied Sciences · 4 years

SPU APS 30

  • English: level 4 if it is your Home Language, level 5 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Life Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)

Raw-confirmed 2026-10-04 against SPU’s own 2026 Undergraduate Prospectus (the 2027 edition is only published as an online viewer that could not be read) - APS and levels match; confirm the 2027 prospectus before relying on a cut-off. From SPU’s Faculty of Natural & Applied Sciences programme page. We could not confirm the 2027 application closing date (only a stale 2021 date was found on SPU’s applications page).

Source: View the official page (spu.ac.za) (opens the official page)

Stellenbosch University

Selection programme

BSc Biodiversity & Ecology

Science · 3 years

Stellenbosch aggregate 65 %

  • Mathematics: 60%
  • Physical Sciences: 50%

Every Stellenbosch programme is a selection programme. The figures shown are the published minimum requirements - the actual selection threshold is usually higher.

Source: View the official page (files.su.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Tshwane University of Technology

Diploma in Water Science and Technology

Science · 3 years

TUT APS 21 points

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more) OR Technical Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more) OR Technical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)

New row, read directly from TUT’s 2026 faculty prospectus (tut-pass-3). Recommended: Life Sciences. Closing date not found in the documents read - check TUT’s website.

Source: View the official page (tut.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Diploma in Environmental Sciences

Science · 3 years

TUT APS 24 points

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more) OR Technical Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more) OR Technical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)

New row, read directly from TUT’s 2026 faculty prospectus (tut-pass-3). Recommended: Geography, Life Sciences. Closes 30 September 2026 (TUT First-Year Course Information).

Source: View the official page (tut.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

University of Cape Town

BSc Environmental & Geographical Science

Science · 3 years

UCT Science Faculty Points Score 660 out of 800 (band a)

  • Mathematics: 70%
  • Physical Sciences: 60%

Band A (guaranteed offer) is an FPS of 660. Band B (likely offer) is a WPS of 640 - the WPS adds a 0-10% disadvantage factor that we cannot work out from your marks, so we only check you against Band A. Band C (550) applies to redress categories only. All Science majors share these entry bands (Mathematics 70%+, Physical Sciences 60%+; NBTs in Mathematics, AL and QL must be written but do not affect admission). Admission is to the BSc and a major is chosen once you are in; selected students may be counselled onto the four-year Extended Degree Programme. One of only two majors open to applicants without Physical Sciences or Information Technology.

Source: View the official page (uct.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

BSc Ocean & Atmosphere Science

Science · 3 years

UCT Science Faculty Points Score 660 out of 800 (band a)

  • Mathematics: 70%
  • Physical Sciences: 60%

Band A (guaranteed offer) is an FPS of 660. Band B (likely offer) is a WPS of 640 - the WPS adds a 0-10% disadvantage factor that we cannot work out from your marks, so we only check you against Band A. Band C (550) applies to redress categories only. All Science majors share these entry bands (Mathematics 70%+, Physical Sciences 60%+; NBTs in Mathematics, AL and QL must be written but do not affect admission). Admission is to the BSc and a major is chosen once you are in; selected students may be counselled onto the four-year Extended Degree Programme.

Source: View the official page (uct.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

University of Johannesburg

BSc (Zoology and Environmental Management)

Science · 3 years

UJ APS 30 points

  • English: level 5 if it is your Home Language, level 5 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 5 (60% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Life Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)

Read from the 2027 UJ Undergraduate Prospectus, programme code B2L15Q. English level 5 (60%+). Technical Mathematics and Technical Science are not accepted for Faculty of Science degrees.

Source: View the official page (uj.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

BSc (Zoology and Geography)

Science · 3 years

UJ APS 30 points

  • English: level 5 if it is your Home Language, level 5 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 5 (60% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Life Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)

Read from the 2027 UJ Undergraduate Prospectus, programme code B2L16Q. Mathematics level 5 (60%+), or 6 (70%+) when Mathematics 1A is part of the programme. Physical Science level 4 (50%+), or 5 (60%+) when Chemistry 1A or Physics 1A/S1 is part of the programme. English level 5 (60%+). Technical Mathematics and Technical Science are not accepted for Faculty of Science degrees.

Source: View the official page (uj.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

BSc (Geography and Environmental Management)

Science · 3 years

UJ APS 30 points

  • English: level 5 if it is your Home Language, level 5 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 5 (60% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Life Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)

Read from the 2027 UJ Undergraduate Prospectus, programme code B2L20Q. English level 5 (60%+). Technical Mathematics and Technical Science are not accepted for Faculty of Science degrees.

Source: View the official page (uj.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

University of KwaZulu-Natal

From an older document

BSc Environmental Science

Agriculture, Engineering & Science · 3 years

UKZN APS 28 points out of 48

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Life Orientation: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Agricultural Sciences: level 4 (50% or more) OR Life Sciences: level 4 (50% or more) OR Physical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)

Read 2026-10-04 from the table in the Study@UKZN 2026 brochure (CAO code KN-P-BSS / KN-W-BSS); published APS range 48-28. This comes from the Study@UKZN 2026 brochure, the most recent official source we could find. UKZN had not published a 2027 table when we checked, so treat these as 2026 figures pending a 2027 update. Applications go through the CAO.

Source: View the official page (studyatukzn.ukzn.ac.za) (opens the official page)

From an older document

BSocSc Geography & Environmental Management

Humanities · 3 years

UKZN APS 28 points out of 48

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Life Orientation: level 4 (50% or more)
  • One listed subject – One subject from UKZN’s designated list at level 5 (Business Studies, Consumer Studies, Dramatic Arts, Economics, Geography, History, Information Technology, Life Sciences, Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy at level 2, Music, Religion Studies, Visual Arts, or a language at Home or First Additional level 5).

Read 2026-10-04 from the table in the Study@UKZN 2026 brochure (CAO code KN-H-SGE / KN-P-SGE); published APS range 48-28. This comes from the Study@UKZN 2026 brochure, the most recent official source we could find. UKZN had not published a 2027 table when we checked, so treat these as 2026 figures pending a 2027 update. Applications go through the CAO.

Source: View the official page (studyatukzn.ukzn.ac.za) (opens the official page)

University of Limpopo

BSc Water and Sanitation Sciences

Science & Agriculture · 4 years

UL APS 24 points

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Mathematics: level 5 (60% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 5 (60% or more)
  • Life Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)

Raw-read 2026-10-04 from UL’s own 2027 Undergraduate Prospectus faculty tables (images of the table, since the PDF’s text layer cannot be read reliably). UL says meeting the minimum APS does not guarantee admission. No 2027 closing date appears in the prospectus - see the dates page.

Source: View the official page (ul.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

BSc Environmental and Resource Studies

Science & Agriculture · 4 years

UL APS 24 points

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Life Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Geography: level 4 (50% or more)

Raw-read 2026-10-04 from UL’s own 2027 Undergraduate Prospectus faculty tables (images of the table, since the PDF’s text layer cannot be read reliably). The earlier row showed APS 22, Mathematics level 3 and no Life Sciences; the prospectus differs. UL says meeting the minimum APS does not guarantee admission. No 2027 closing date appears in the prospectus - see the dates page.

Source: View the official page (ul.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

University of Mpumalanga

From an older document

Bachelor of Science in Forestry

Agriculture and Natural Sciences · 4 years

UMP APS 30

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Two more subjects – Two of Life Sciences, Agricultural Sciences or Geography at level 4.

Raw-confirmed 2026-10-04 against UMP’s "Undergraduate Programmes" PDF, which is still linked from UMP’s 2027 online-applications page - the file itself is dated October 2023, so treat figures as the latest UMP publishes rather than re-issued for 2027. Bachelor’s-pass NSC or IEB required. Read directly (pdftotext) from UMP’s own consolidated Undergraduate Programmes brochure. We could not confirm the 2027 application closing date on ump.ac.za itself (only unverified third-party claims).

Source: View the official page (ump.ac.za) (opens the official page)

From an older document

Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science

Agriculture and Natural Sciences · 3 years

UMP APS 30

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more) OR Mathematical Literacy: level 6 (70% or more)
  • Two of three subjects – Two of Life Sciences, Physical Sciences or Geography at level 4.

Raw-confirmed 2026-10-04 against UMP’s "Undergraduate Programmes" PDF, which is still linked from UMP’s 2027 online-applications page - the file itself is dated October 2023, so treat figures as the latest UMP publishes rather than re-issued for 2027. Students with a relevant 360-credit Diploma (e.g. Conservation) are also considered; selection happens monthly. Read directly (pdftotext) from UMP’s own consolidated Undergraduate Programmes brochure. We could not confirm the 2027 application closing date on ump.ac.za itself (only unverified third-party claims).

Source: View the official page (ump.ac.za) (opens the official page)

University of Pretoria

BSc Ecology

Natural & Agricultural Sciences · 3 years

UP APS 32 points

  • English: level 5 if it is your Home Language, level 5 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 5 (60% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 5 (60% or more)

From the user-supplied Natural & Agricultural Sciences 2027 Faculty Yearbook. Most UP closing dates are 30 June; Veterinary Science closes 31 May. Grade 12 applicants apply with their final Grade 11 results.

Source: View the official page (drupalwebprod-files.up.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

BSc Geography (Geography and Environmental Science)

Natural & Agricultural Sciences · 3 years

UP APS 34 points

  • English: level 5 if it is your Home Language, level 5 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 5 (60% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 5 (60% or more)

From the user-supplied Natural & Agricultural Sciences 2027 Faculty Yearbook. Most UP closing dates are 30 June; Veterinary Science closes 31 May. Grade 12 applicants apply with their final Grade 11 results.

Source: View the official page (drupalwebprod-files.up.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

University of South Africa

No cut-off published

Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Management

Agriculture & Environmental Sciences

No points cut-off published for this one – see the note below.

  • English: 50%

Read 2026-10-04 from Unisa’s own qualification page (code 98055). NSC with Bachelor’s Degree endorsement (or equivalent). Unisa states percentages, not an APS, on this page. Confirmed current for the 2027 intake: Unisa’s own pages state its 2027 application window as 17 August - 9 October 2026.

Source: View the official page (unisa.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

No cut-off published

Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management Botany

Agriculture & Environmental Sciences

No points cut-off published for this one – see the note below.

  • English: 50%
  • Mathematics: 50%

Read 2026-10-04 from Unisa’s own qualification page (code 98052 – EBO). NSC with Bachelor’s Degree endorsement (or equivalent). Unisa states percentages, not an APS, on this page. Physical Science or Technical Science at 50% is also required if any Physics or Chemistry modules are part of your chosen curriculum. Confirmed current for the 2027 intake: Unisa’s own pages state its 2027 application window as 17 August - 9 October 2026.

Source: View the official page (unisa.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

No cut-off published

Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management Chemistry

Agriculture & Environmental Sciences

No points cut-off published for this one – see the note below.

  • English: 50%
  • Mathematics: 50%

Read 2026-10-04 from Unisa’s own qualification page (code 98052 – ECH). NSC with Bachelor’s Degree endorsement (or equivalent). Unisa states percentages, not an APS, on this page. Physical Science or Technical Science at 50% is also required if any Physics or Chemistry modules are part of your chosen curriculum. Confirmed current for the 2027 intake: Unisa’s own pages state its 2027 application window as 17 August - 9 October 2026.

Source: View the official page (unisa.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

No cut-off published

Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management Zoology

Agriculture & Environmental Sciences

No points cut-off published for this one – see the note below.

  • English: 50%
  • Mathematics: 50%

Read 2026-10-04 from Unisa’s own qualification page (code 98052 – EZO). NSC with Bachelor’s Degree endorsement (or equivalent). Unisa states percentages, not an APS, on this page. Physical Science or Technical Science at 50% is also required if any Physics or Chemistry modules are part of your chosen curriculum. Confirmed current for the 2027 intake: Unisa’s own pages state its 2027 application window as 17 August - 9 October 2026.

Source: View the official page (unisa.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

University of the Free State

BSc (Geography and Environmental Science majors)

Natural & Agricultural Sciences · 3 years

UFS AP score 32 points out of 49

  • English: level 4 if it is your Home Language, level 4 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 5 (60% or more)
  • Life Sciences: level 5 (60% or more)

Read 2026-10-04 from the table on the faculty’s page in the UFS 2027 Undergraduate Prospectus (page images). Plan codes BC433362 and BC433333. Physical Sciences at level 5 is required for the Geography specialisation but not for Geography and Environmental Science.

Source: View the official page (ufs.ac.za) (opens the official page)

University of the Western Cape

BSc Environmental & Water Science

Natural Sciences · 3 years

UWC weighted points 33 points out of 65

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Another language – Another language (Home or First Additional) at level 3.
  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more) OR Life Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)

Raw-read 2026-10-04 from UWC’s own 2026 programme rules (the "Program Overview" PDF on the programme page, Calendar 2026). UWC points are its own weighted score (see the calculator note).

Source: View the official page (uwc.ac.za) (opens the official page)

University of the Witwatersrand

BSc Geographical and Archaeological Sciences

Science · 3 years

Wits APS 42 points

  • English: level 5 if it is your Home Language, level 5 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 5 (60% or more)
  • NBT – All Faculty of Science applicants must write the NBT (registration deadline 31 October 2026).

Read from the live 2027 course-finder page on 2026-10-04. Applications close 30 September 2026. APS 40-41 may be wait-listed.

Source: View the official page (wits.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

BSc Environmental Studies

Science · 3 years

Wits APS 42 points

  • English: level 5 if it is your Home Language, level 5 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 5 (60% or more)
  • NBT – All Faculty of Science applicants must write the NBT (registration deadline 31 October 2026).

Read from the live 2027 course-finder page on 2026-10-04. Applications close 30 September 2026.

Source: View the official page (wits.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

University of Venda

BSc Environmental Sciences

Science, Engineering and Agriculture · 3 years

Univen APS 32

  • English: 50%
  • Mathematics: 40%
  • Physical Sciences: 40%
  • Life Sciences: 50%

Raw-read 2026-10-04 from Univen’s 2027 Undergraduate Prospectus (April 2026), faculty programme tables. APS and subject levels match. Same lower confidence tier as the Computer Science row above. From Univen’s 2027 Undergraduate Prospectus. We could not confirm the application closing date from the pages we read (applications opened 1 May 2026) - check the current date on univen.ac.za.

Source: View the official page (univen.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Bachelor of Earth Sciences in Hydrology and Water Resources

Science, Engineering and Agriculture · 4 years

Univen APS 35

  • English: level 5 (60% or more)
  • Mathematics: level 5 (60% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 5 (60% or more)
  • Three more subjects – Level 4 in at least three of Agricultural Sciences, Accounting, Life Sciences, Economics and Geography.

Raw-read 2026-10-04 from Univen’s 2027 Undergraduate Prospectus (April 2026), faculty programme tables. Online applications are free and run 1 May - 30 September 2026.

Source: View the official page (univen.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Diploma in Freshwater Technology

Science, Engineering and Agriculture · 3 years

Univen APS 24

  • English: level 3 (40% or more)
  • Four subjects and a science – Level 3 (40-49%) in four recognised 20-credit NSC subjects, and 50% in Life Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, Physical Sciences or Geography.

Read 2026-10-04 from Univen’s 2027 Undergraduate Prospectus (faculty programme tables, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture). NSC 24 points with a Diploma endorsement. Programme code MNDDFT. Online applications are free and run 1 May - 30 September 2026.

Source: View the official page (univen.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

University of Zululand

From an older document

BSc (Geography or Hydrology major)

Science, Agriculture & Engineering · 3 years

UniZulu APS 28 points out of 48

  • English: 50%
  • Mathematics: 50%
  • Life Sciences: 50% OR Physical Sciences: 50%

Raw-confirmed 2026-10-04 against the admission tables in UniZulu’s 2026 faculty handbook (APS, language and Mathematics rules match). Geography major also needs Geography 50%; Hydrology needs Physical Sciences 50%. From UniZulu’s own 2026-labelled faculty handbooks, which contain no 2027-specific intake or closing-date information at all - do not assume a date, and treat this as the most recent official figures available rather than confirmed-current for 2027.

Source: View the official page (unizulu.ac.za) (opens the official page)

Vaal University of Technology

Diploma in Environmental Science

Applied & Computer Sciences · 3 years

VUT APS 21 points

  • English: level 4 if it is your Home Language, level 4 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)

New row, from the 2027 Minimum Admission Requirements PDF. Raw-confirmed directly against the user-supplied 2027 Undergraduate Minimum Admission Requirements PDF. From VUT’s 2027 Undergraduate Minimum Admission Requirements PDF. Academic applications close 30 September 2026 (residences 31 October 2026); fee R110.

Source: View the official page (vut.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Walter Sisulu University

BSc Environmental Studies

Natural Sciences · 3 years

WSU APS 25 points out of 48 (56 for Education programmes)

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Life Sciences: level 4 (50% or more) OR Agricultural Sciences: level 4 (50% or more) OR Tourism: level 4 (50% or more)

Raw-read 2026-10-04 from WSU’s own 2027 Undergraduate Information Brochure & Admission Requirements (main-stream figures; Extended Curriculum Programmes accept a lower APS, noted where the brochure gives one). Extended Curriculum route: APS 23. Applications: the brochure lists no closing date - check wsu.ac.za.

Source: View the official page (wsu.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

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