Requirements to Study Agriculture in South Africa 2026: The Complete Guide

Key Takeaways: The “Green Gold” Career

• The Golden Rule: Agriculture is a Science, not just manual labor.
• BSc Agric (Degree): Requires Pure Mathematics and Physical Science. Math Lit is almost never accepted.
• Diploma in Agric: Focuses on farm management. Often accepts Math Literacy (Level 4/5).¹
• The Institutions: UP and Stellenbosch are the giants for degrees; Elsenburg and Cedara are the legends for practical college training.
• High School Subject Choice: Taking “Agricultural Sciences” at school is helpful, but Physical Science is actually more important for university admission.

In 2026, Agriculture is one of the few sectors in South Africa that is actually growing. From drone pilots monitoring crops to soil scientists analyzing data, the industry has moved from “ploughs and oxen” to “tablets and labs.”

However, many learners make a fatal mistake in Grade 9: they choose subjects based on the idea that “Farming is easy,” drop Pure Maths for Math Lit, and then discover in Grade 12 that they cannot get into the University of Pretoria or Stellenbosch.

This guide clarifies the three different routes into the sector (Degree, Diploma, and TVET) and the specific admission requirements for each.

1. The Degree Route (BSc Agric)

This is for students who want to become Scientists, Economists, or Geneticists. You will spend more time in a laboratory or office than on a tractor.

Universities: University of Pretoria (UP), Stellenbosch (SU), University of the Free State (UFS), UKZN, Fort Hare.

Admission Requirements (General 2026)

• National Senior Certificate (NSC): Bachelor’s Pass.
• APS Score: High. Usually 30 – 32.
• Mathematics:Compulsory. (Level 5 / 60%+).
  • Note: Mathematical Literacy is NOT accepted for BSc Agric at most major universities.
• Physical Science: Compulsory. (Level 5 / 60%+).
• English: Level 4/5.
• Agricultural Sciences (School Subject): Surprisingly, this is often not a requirement, but it is a “Recommended Subject.” Universities care more about Physics and Chemistry.

Why is it so strict?

Because a BSc in Agriculture includes modules like Biochemistry, Genetics, and Statistics.4 If you struggled with Grade 11 Physics, you will fail first-year Soil Science.

2. The Diploma Route (Farm Management)

This is for students who want to become Farm Managers, Extension Officers, or run their own agri-business. It is less theoretical and more practical.

Institutions: Universities of Technology (TUT, CUT, MUT) and Comprehensive Universities (UNISA, Mpumalanga University).

Admission Requirements

• NSF: Diploma Pass.
• APS Score: Moderate. Usually 24 – 26.
• Mathematics: Preferred (Level 3/4).
• Math Literacy: ACCEPTED. (Usually requires Level 4 or 5).
• Life Sciences or Physical Science: Required (Level 4).
• Agricultural Sciences: Highly recommended.

Why choose this?

If you are good at business and biology but struggle with the heavy calculations of Pure Maths/Physics, this is your route. It gets you into the field faster (3 years).

3. The Agricultural Colleges (The Practical Route)

South Africa has specialized “Agricultural Colleges” that fall under the Department of Agriculture, not just Higher Education. These are legendary for producing the best practical farmers.

1. Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute (Western Cape)

• The “Harvard” of Agri Colleges.
• Course: B.Agric (Degree) and Diploma in Agriculture.
• Requirements (Degree):
  • Matric Exemption.
  • Maths (40%+) OR Math Lit (60%+).
  • Physical Science (40%+) OR Life Sciences (50%) OR Agricultural Sciences (50%).
  • Note: Elsenburg is one of the few places where you can do a Degree (B.Agric) with Math Lit, provided your marks are high.

2. Cedara College of Agriculture (KZN)

• Focus: Livestock and Crop Production.
• Requirements:
  • Diploma Pass.
  • Math (Level 3) or Math Lit (Level 4).
  • Preference given to students with Agricultural Sciences.

3. Glen College of Agriculture (Free State)

• Focus: Sheep, Cattle, and Maize.
• Requirements: Senior Certificate with Math/Science or Agri subjects.

4. The TVET College Route (NATED & NCV)

If you have low Matric marks or only Grade 9, you can still enter the sector via a TVET College.

Option A: National Certificate Vocational (NCV) – Primary Agriculture

• Entry: Grade 9 Pass.
• Duration: 3 Years (Level 2, 3, 4).
• Curriculum: You do English, Maths (or Math Lit), Life Orientation, plus 4 Agriculture subjects (Soil Science, Plant Production, Animal Production, Agribusiness).
• Outcome: You finish with a Matric equivalent (Level 4) that allows you to enter a Diploma course or work as a Junior Farm Foreman.

Option B: NATED (Report 191) – Farming Management

• Entry: Matric (NSC).
• Levels: N4, N5, N6 (18 Months Theory + 18 Months Practical).
• Curriculum: Management, Maintenance Management, Data Management, Financial Management.
• Outcome: National N Diploma.

5. High School Subject Choice Strategy (Grade 9)

If you are currently in Grade 9, here is how to pick your subjects for 2026/2027:

The “Scientist” Package (BSc Goal):

• Pure Mathematics (Non-negotiable).
• Physical Science (Non-negotiable).
• Life Sciences (Biology).
• Geography or Agricultural Sciences.
• Career: Veterinarian, Soil Scientist, Agricultural Economist.

The “Farmer/Manager” Package (Diploma Goal):

• Math Literacy (Acceptable, but Pure Math opens more doors).
• Agricultural Sciences.
• Life Sciences.
• Business Studies / Economics.
• Career: Farm Manager, Sales Rep for John Deere/Bayer, Commodity Trader.

6. Where to Study in 2026?

University of Pretoria (UP):

• Best for: Veterinary Science (Onderstepoort) and BSc Agric (Animal Science).
• Strict: Math + Physics required.

Stellenbosch University (SU):

• Best for: Viticulture (Winemaking) and Horticulture (Fruit).
• Strict: High academic standards.

University of the Free State (UFS):

• Best for: Agricultural Economics and Mixed Farming (Crops/Livestock).
• Flexible: Offers excellent bridging programs if your Math is weak.

Tshwane University of Technology (TUT):

• Best for: Crop Production and Animal Production Diplomas.
• Accessible: Accepts Math Lit.

Fort Hare University (UFH):

• Best for: Rural Development and Livestock.
• Heritage: A strong history of agricultural training in the Eastern Cape.

7. Funding Your Studies (Bursaries)

Agriculture is one of the most funded sectors.

1. AgriSETA: Offers bursaries for both University and TVET students.
2. Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD): Massive bursary scheme covering tuition, books, and meals. Opens annually in September.
3. Industry Bodies:
   • Citrus Academy: For students studying fruit production.
   • Hortgro: For deciduous fruit.
   • Sugar Industry Trust: For KZN students.
   • Wool Trust: For sheep farming studies.

Conclusion: Don’t just “Like Animals”

Studying Agriculture is not about petting cows. It is about chemistry, economics, and hard work.

• If you want to Design new drought-resistant seeds: You need BSc (Maths + Science).
• If you want to Run a farm and manage 50 workers: You need Diploma/B.Agric (Math Lit + Agri).
• If you want to Fix tractors and irrigation systems: You need TVET (NATED Engineering or Agriculture).

Choose the path that matches your marks and your career goal.

Disclaimer: Admission requirements are subject to change. Always verify with the Faculty Yearbook of the specific institution for 2026.