DFFE Bursary 2025

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The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has opened their 2025 DFFE Bursary and is inviting all interested applicants to apply .

The Department of Environment, Forestry & Fisheries is one of the departments of the South African government. It is responsible for protecting, conserving and improving the South African environment and natural resources

ENDING DATE: This bursary will end on 26 November 2025.

LOCATION: South Africa

BURSARY REQUIREMENTS:

  • You must be a South African citizen
  • You must be currently in Matric or you must have completed Matric
  • You must be studying or intend on studying full time, in one of the fields listed above, for 2025
  • You must be registered to study at a recognised tertiary institution in South Africa
  • You must NOT be an employee of the DFFE
  • Preference will be given to previously disadvantaged candidates and those living with disabilities

BURSARY COVERAGE:

This bursary will be awarded for the maximum value of R40 000 in the following fields:

Biodiversity and Conservation:

  • Biological Sciences (Degree/ Hons BSc)
  • Environmental Management (Diploma/ Degree/ Hons)
  • Environmental Science (Diploma/ Degree/ Hons)
  • Environmental Strategy Development and Implementation or Environmental Law including Advanced Legislative Drafting (Diploma/ Degree/ Hons)
  • Global change dynamics (Climate Change, drought, biodiversity loss) (Diploma/ Degree/ Hons)
  • Heritage Studies (Diploma/ Degree)
  • Nature Conservation (Diploma/ Degree / Hons)
  • Natural Science / Environmental Science/Management majoring in Ecology, Resources Management and Geographical Information System (BSc/ Hons/ MSc)
  • Risk management or Policy Development (Diploma/ Degree/ Hons)
  • Wetlands Management and/or Ecosystem Approach (Diploma/ Degree/ Hons)

Chemicals and Waste Management:

  • Biochemistry/ Microbiology (MSc/ M Tech)
  • Chemical Engineering/ Chemistry (MSc/ M Tech)
  • Eco-toxicology of environmental pollutants (Masters/ PhD)
  • Ecoxicology (B Hons/ M Sc)
  • Environmental Risk Assessment and Management (Masters/ PhD)
  • Environmental Science (B Degree/ M Tech/ Hons/ MSc)
  • Epidemiology of environmental pollutants (Masters/ PhD)
  • Impacts and synergistic effects of environmental pollutants on the environment (Masters/ PhD)
  • Toxicology (Masters/ PhD)
  • Waste Management (B Degree/ Hons/ MSc)

Climate Change, Air Quality and Sustainable Development:

  • Chemistry (BSc)
  • Conservation (National Diploma/ B Degree)
  • Earth and Environmental Sciences (National Diploma/ B Degree)
  • Environmental Management (BSc/ National Diploma)
  • Environmental Science (BSc/ National Diploma)
  • Geography, Archaeology and Environmental (BSc)
  • Natural Science (National Diploma/ B Degree)
  • Sustainable Development (National Diploma/ B Degree)

Environmental Programmes:

  • Environmental Science (National Diploma)
  • Environmental Science: Biological Resources (BSc Degree/ Hons/ Masters)
  • Environmental Science: Environmental Economics (BSc Degree/ Hons/ Masters)
  • Environmental Science: Environmental Law/ Biological Sciences (BSc Degree/ Hons/ Masters)
  • Environmental Science: People and the Environment (BSc Degree/ Hons/ Masters)
  • Environmental Science: Water Resources (BSc Degree/ Hons/ Masters)
  • Horticulture (National Diploma/ Adv Diploma)
  • Landscape Technology (National Diploma/ Adv Diploma)

Forestry Management:

  • Environmental Science or Management (National Diploma/ B Degree/ Hons/ MSc)
  • Forestry (National Diploma/ AdvDip/ B Degree/ Hons/ Master’s Degree)
  • Forestry (B Degree / Hons / Master’s Degree)
  • Forestry, Wood Science (BTech/ M Sc)
  • Game Ranch management (National Diploma/ AdvDip/ Hons/ MSc/ PhD)
  • Nature Conservation (National Diploma/ AdvDip/ Hons/ MSc/ PhD)
  • Nature Conservation, Botany, Marine Science (National Diploma/ BTech/ BDegree/ Hons/ MSc)
  • Veld Fire Management (Higher Certificate)
  • Wood Technology (National Diploma/ AdvDip/ Hons/ MSc/ PhD)

Fisheries Management:

  • Environmental Science (B Degree/ Hons/ MSc)
  • Ichthyology specialising in Aquaculture (BSc)
  • Marine Biology (BSc)
  • Oceanography (National Diploma)
  • Oceanography and Marine Biology (BSc)

Oceans and Coast:

  • Applied Aquaculture
  • Aquatic Veterinary Science
  • Biochemistry (Genetics) (Hons/ MSc)
  • Botany (Coastal-related) (Hons/ MSc)
  • Chemistry (Heavy metals pollution in the Marine Environment) (MSc)
  • Chemistry (Hydro-Carbons) (MSc)
  • Data Analyst and statistical modelling
  • Ecological modelling (MSc)
  • Ecophysiology (Hons/ MSc)
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Environmental/ Maritime Law
  • Environmental Science (BSc/ Honours/ Masters/ PhD)
  • GIS emphasis on Spatial analysis (Hons/ MSc)
  • Information Technology and GIS (Marine)
  • Marine Science/ Environmental Science (BTech)
  • Marine Spatial Planning
  • Marine Protected Areas Management
  • Maritime Law (BSc)
  • Maritime Security
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Nature Conservation, Environmental Sciences, Environmental Management (BSc)
  • Ocean Governance
  • Ocean Noise (Physics & Biology Oceanography) (PhD)
  • Operations Management (BTech)
  • Resource/ Environmental Economics
  • Taxonomy (Systematics) and Biodiversity (MSc)

Regulatory Compliance and Sector Monitoring:

  • Botany (BSc)
  • Chemistry (BSc)
  • Environmental Management majoring in Environmental Impact Assessment (Bachelors Degree)
  • Environmental Sciences (majoring in Animal and wildlife) (Bachelors Degree)
  • Geography (BSc Honours)
  • Geography, Geoinformatics (BSc)
  • Law (B.A)
  • LLB (Major courses: Administrative Law, Environmental Law, Legislative Drafting)
  • LLM
  • Paralegal (National Diploma/ Degree)

METHOD OF APPLICATION

Download this form below to apply:

DFFE-Bursary-Application-FormDownload

Candidates are required to indicate the reference number and qualification they are applying for, on the application form:

  • Biodiversity and Conservation (Reference: B&C/01/2025)
  • Chemicals and Waste Management (Reference: CWM/01/2025)
  • Climate Change, Air Quality and Sustainable Development (Reference: CCAS/01/2025)
  • Environmental Programmes (Reference: EP/01/2025)
  • Forestry Management (Reference: FO /01/2025)
  • Fisheries Management (Reference: FI/01/2025)
  • Oceans and Coast (Reference: OC/01/2025)
  • Regulatory Compliance and Sector Monitoring (Reference: RCSM/01/2025)

Overview of Public Universities in South Africa

Here's an overview of some public universities in South Africa, including general admissions requirements and estimated application periods. Keep in mind, specific program requirements and dates can vary significantly, so it's important to check each university's official website for the most current information.

University of Pretoria

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with minimum scores in specific subjects related to the chosen program; for international students, equivalent qualifications.
  • Application Period: Usually opens in March and closes at the end of July for most programs.

University of Cape Town

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with pass levels required for degree study; subject-specific requirements depending on the program.
  • Application Period: Application opens in April and closes at the end of July.

Stellenbosch University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required marks; some programs have additional testing.
  • Application Period: Opens in March and typically closes at the end of June.

University of the Witwatersrand

  • Admissions Requirements: Matriculation certificate with university exemption; required scores vary by faculty.
  • Application Period: Begins in March and ends on the 30th of September.

University of Johannesburg

  • Admissions Requirements: Matric exemption with a minimum APS score; specific subject requirements based on the faculty.
  • Application Period: Opens in April and generally closes by the 30th of September.

University of the Free State

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific marks for the program applied to; additional requirements for certain courses.
  • Application Period: Typically opens in April and closes at the end of August.

University of Venda

  • Admissions Requirements: Completion of the National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for diploma or degree studies; specific APS scores needed.
  • Application Period: Usually from May to September.

University of Fort Hare

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; certain programs may have specific requirements.
  • Application Period: Opens around May and closes at the end of September.

University of the Western Cape

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific performance levels; additional requirements for certain programs.
  • Application Period: Generally from May to September.

North-West University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; program-specific requirements may apply.
  • Application Period: Opens in March and usually closes by the end of August.

Rhodes University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate or equivalent; minimum academic performance in certain subjects.
  • Application Period: Applications open in April and close at the end of September.

Nelson Mandela University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; portfolio or additional tests for some faculties.
  • Application Period: Opens in April, with a deadline at the end of August for most programs.

Cape Peninsula University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores; additional requirements for certain courses.
  • Application Period: Opens in May and typically closes by the end of September.

University of Limpopo

  • Admissions Requirements: Senior Certificate with endorsement for diploma or degree courses; specific APS scores for different programs.
  • Application Period: From April to September.

University of Zululand

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for bachelor’s degree studies; specific score requirements for various programs.
  • Application Period: Usually between April and November.

Central University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores for the chosen field of study; additional criteria for certain programs.
  • Application Period: Application period generally starts in May and ends in October.

Vaal University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with a pass that qualifies for admission to bachelor’s degree, diploma, or higher certificate programs.
  • Application Period: Typically from May to September.

Walter Sisulu University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; additional criteria for certain faculties.
  • Application Period: From April to September.

This list provides a starting point for understanding the admissions landscape across South Africa's diverse higher education institutions. Given the variability in programs and requirements, it's crucial to consult each university's website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.