Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) Bursary

Fields of study

Biodiversity and Conservation

• ND/BA Environmental Management / B Sc Environmental Science
• B Sc Natural Sciences Management
• ND/ Degree Eco tourism and game range management
• N Dip/BTech/ Postgraduate Diploma: Nature conservation
• BSc Zoology and Botany

Chemicals and Waste Management

• ND/ B Tech/ B Degree/ Hons/ M Sc: Chemistry
• ND/ B Tech/ M Tech/ D Tech: Environmental Science/ Environmental Management / Environmental law/ Environmental education
• ND/ B Tech/ M Tech/ D Tech Waste Management/ Recycling Economy/ Waste as resource
• BA Degree/Hons/M Sc Geography and Society with research in Waste Management/ Rescource Efficiency/ Circular economy/ Extended producer responsibility
• B Degree/Hons/MA: Chemical Engineering / Civil Engineering
• B Degree/ Hons/ M Sc/ PhD Natural Sciences with research in resource efficiency/ Geography/ Development Studies
• LLB Degree/ LLM/ PhD: Environmental Law with research or thesis in transforming environmental law to keep up with the latest international trends on waste as a resource

Climate and Change and Air Quality Management

• ND /B Sc Environmental Science
• ND/B Sc Environmental Management
• B Degree Earth and Environmental Sciences
• B Degree Natural Science
• B Sc Chemistry
• B Sc Geography / Archaeology and Environmental
• ND/ B Degree in Sustainable Development

Environmental Programmes

• BSc Degree/ Hons/ MSc in Environmental Management/Science
• BSc Conservation Ecology/Biodiversity/ Biology
• BSc Marine Biology
• B Degree/Hons/ MSc Engineering Management / Civil Engineering
• B Sc/ Hons Geographical information System
• MSc Ecological Economics

Fisheries Management

• Maritime Studies (related to harbour/ports – fishing harbours) /Maritime law
• BSc/Hons/MSc/PhD Oceanography, Marine Biology, Ichthyology, Environmental Science, Aquaculture and Fisheries
• B Sc Marine / Fisheries Biology
• Hons/MSc/PhD Zoology (freshwater ecology or specialising in the field of freshwater fisheries)
• Bachelor’s degree, Post graduate studies, B Tech, BSc Hons, MSc, PhD, (Marine biology, Aquaculture, Environmental Science/management, Fisheries Science, Aquatic Science, or a related field)
• Actuarial Science
• MSc Applied Mathematics/ Statistics with population dynamics modelling
• BTech, Beng Tech or BSc Eng in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering
• BSc/MSc in GIS and Remote Sensing / Environmental Informatics
• Postgraduate Diploma/ MSc in Climate Change and Sustainable Development
• Hons/Masters Economics, Agriculture Economics, Fisheries Economics

Forestry Management

• Diploma in Forestry
• Advanced Diploma in Forestry
• Bachelor of Science
• Honours in Natural Resource Management
• BSc in Forestry and Wood Sciences

Oceans and Coasts

• B Sc/ Hons/ M Sc/ PhD: Biodiversity/ Conservation Biology/ Marine Biology/ Environmental Science
• BTech Engineering: Electrical/ Electronic/ Mechanical/ Communication
• Hons/ Masters: Physical/ Chemical/ Biological Oceanography
• BA/ BCom/ Hons/ Masters/ PhD: Natural Resource Economics/ Environmental Economics/ Maritime Studies/ Maritime Economics
• Hons/ Masters: Ecophysiology/ Taxonomy/ Systematics
• B Sc/ BTech/ Hons/ M Sc/: Marine Biology and Ecology/ Environmental Management/ Nature Conservation or equivalent
• B Eng/ B Sc Eng: Coastal Engineering, coastal dynamics and adaptation, restoration and rehabilitation
• BA/ BCom: Marine and Coastal policy, Community engagement and stakeholder management
• B Tech/ Hons: Coastal and Marine climate change
• B Tech/ Hons: Coastal Spatial Planning/ Town and Regional Planning
• Hons/ M Sc: Chemistry-Heavy Metals/ Hydrocarbons
• Hons/ M Sc: Ecophysiology/ Taxonomy (Systematics and Biodiversity)

Regulatory Compliance Sector Monitoring

• LLB (Major courses: administrative law, legislative drafting, Environmental Law)
• LLM
• B.A Law, A Diploma, or a Degree in Paralegal
• Bachelor of Environmental Sciences/Management
• BSC majoring in Geography, Geoinformatics
• Bachelor of Environmental Management majoring in Environmental Impact Assessment

Who can apply

• Be a South African citizen
• Be currently in Matric or you have completed Matric
• Be studying or intend on studying full time, towards a qualification in one of the fields listed above
• Be studying or intend on studying at a recognised and accredited tertiary institution in South Africa
• Not be employed
• Not be an employee of the DFFE
• Not have previously participated in the public service internship program
• Preference will be given to previously disadvantaged candidates and those living with disabilities

What the bursary covers

Value mentioned: R80 000

Documents you will need

• ID document (certified copy)
• Matric latest results, if currently in Matric (certified copy)
• Matric certificate, if completed Matric (certified copy)
• Qualifications or certificates completed, if applicable (certified copies)
• Most recent academic records, if currently studying (certified copies)
• Proof of registration, if enrolled (on institutes letterhead)
• Parents or guardians ID documents (certified copies)
• Parents or guardians proof of income (latest payslips if employed/ affidavit if unemployed/ proof of sassa grant or pension if applicable/ affidavit or death certificates if deceased)
• Motivational letter to support your application and explain why you should be awarded the bursary (read our tips on how to write a motivational letter for your bursary application)

Full bursary documents checklist

How to apply

1. Check the requirements

   Make sure you meet every requirement listed above. Applications that miss one are usually rejected automatically.

2. Prepare your documents

   Scan clear copies of everything the provider asks for, certified where required.

3. Apply through the official channel
   DFFE Bursary Application Form 2027

   Download and complete the DFFE Bursary Application Form 2027 (.pdf)

   Note: applications submitted via fax or email will NOT be accepted.

4. Submit before the closing date

   Usually closes around October. Late applications are almost never accepted.

Applications for the current cycle have closed. This bursary usually opens again each year, so prepare your documents now and check back.

Genuine bursaries never charge an application fee. How to spot bursary scams

Contact the bursary provider

• Phone 012 399 8682
• Phone 012 399 8685
• Phone 012 399 9018
• Phone 081 492 5570
• Phone 066 081 9858
• Phone 071 607 2014

Contact the provider only with questions about this bursary. StudentBursaries.co.za does not process applications.

About Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE)

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) manages South Africa's environment, natural resources and biodiversity.