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Master of Science in Botany Course Requirements at NWU

North-West University · Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences

Master's Degree Natural & Physical Sciences

The Master of Science in Botany is a master's Degree offered by NWU for 2027 postgraduate applicants, taking Minimum 1 year full-time / 2 years part-time; maximum 2 years full-time / 3 years part-time (General Academic Rule 1.13). to complete. This page covers the minimum admission requirements you need to qualify, what the course involves, where you can study it, the careers it leads to, and how to apply.

Minimum Admission Requirements to study Master of Science in Botany at NWU

An Honours degree in Botany or equivalent (subject to Director approval); a SAQA evaluation certificate is required for foreign qualifications.

About this course

A full-time Potchefstroom/Mahikeng research Master's covering any subject within botany, subject to available supervisory capacity, aimed at producing specialist plant-science researchers.

Course intelligence for Master of Science in Botany

Data-driven planning insights for this specific course: job market outlook, NSFAS funding, and how competitive admission is likely to be.

Not on the scarce-skills list

Job market outlook

Master of Science in Botany doesn’t currently appear on the national scarce-skills list. That’s not a red flag on its own, most jobs in South Africa aren’t on that list, it just tracks where employers reported the strongest hiring pressure. Your own results, experience and network will matter more here than national demand trends.

Unlikely to be NSFAS-funded

NSFAS funding

NSFAS funding is generally limited to a student’s first undergraduate qualification, so a Master's Degree like this one doesn’t usually qualify. Postgraduate funding more often comes through NRF bursaries, university-specific scholarships, or an employer.

More accessible

Admission chances

Admission competitiveness meter for Master of Science in Botany at NWU: More accessibleAccessibleModerateCompetitiveVery competitive

NWU’s intake and this course’s requirements with its published admission requirements generally leave more room than the most sought-after courses, so you likely have a reasonable window to apply without rushing, though applying early is always the safer bet.

These insights are estimates generated from South Africa’s National List of Occupations in High Demand (DHET, November 2023 draft), NSFAS’s published funding rules, and this university’s general applicant demand. They’re planning guidance, not a guarantee. Always confirm funding and admission specifics directly with NWU and NSFAS.

Applications for 2027 studies
Open: 1 June 2026

Closing date still to be announced by NWU.

North-West University logo View all Courses at NWU 652 courses listed
Duration
Minimum 1 year full-time / 2 years part-time; maximum 2 years full-time / 3 years part-time (General Academic Rule 1.13).
NQF Level
9

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Source: North-West University 2026 Postgraduate Yearbook - Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, last verified 2026-08-28. Requirements and fees change. Always confirm current details directly with North-West University before applying.