The Department of Plant Sciences offers prospective undergraduate and postgraduate students an exciting opportunity to engage with innovative research, practical scientific training, and real-world agricultural and environmental challenges. Our department provides a dynamic learning environment where students are exposed to diverse fields including Plant breeding, Plant pathology and Botany. Through access to modern laboratories, field-based research, and experienced academic staff, students are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to contribute meaningfully to sustainable agriculture, biodiversity conservation, and scientific advancement both nationally and internationally.

Below are the application links for Undergraduate and Postgraduate students.

Undergraduate Applications:

Please revert to our Departmental page to view all available programs before you start your application. 

Start Application here.

Postgraduate Applications:

Post-Doctoral Research fellowship:

The Department of Plant Sciences (Divisions of Botany and Plant Pathology) at the University of the Free State invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in plant pathogen bioinformatics. The fellowship offers an exciting opportunity for an emerging researcher to contribute to cutting-edge research on Puccinia spp., the economically important fungal pathogens responsible for wheat rust diseases. The successful candidate will have a particular interest in bioinformatics and population genetic analyses, with the opportunity to investigate pathogen diversity, population structure, genetic variation, and evolutionary dynamics, contributing to improved understanding and management of wheat rust diseases.

Please click on the link below to apply for the Post-Doctoral research fellowship:

Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship

Postgraduate applications (M.Sc and Ph.D)

Please revert to our Departmental page to view all available postgraduate programs before you start your application. 

Additional to this, please download and complete the PDF form below and send it to the specific division head.

Student application form (Botany)

Plant Breeding: VanDerMerweR@ufs.ac.za
Plant Pathology: BoshoffWHP@ufs.ac.za
Botany: JoubertL@ufs.ac.za
QwaQwa Campus: SteenhuisenS@ufs.ac.za


Start Application here.

Financial aid:

Click here

Monitoring your application:

 

• After submitting your application, you will receive an application acknowledgement letter with your student number included.
• When your application status is updated, you will receive an email communication. Please monitor your email account for important university communication. You can also check your status online on Self-Service at (https://myapplication.ufs.ac.za/) using your login details – including your password – which will be sent to you after you submit your application.
• We are not allowed to disclose your application status telephonically.

Student bursary applications

The Department of Plant Sciences extends an invitation to all highly motivated and academically strong MSc and PhD students, as well as post-doctoral researchers, to contact the department regarding further post-graduate studies. Closing dates for applications are 31 March, 30 June, 30 September and 31 December respectively. All prospective students must be able to supplement any bursary that might be provided by die department with additional funding from other sources. Should the closing dates for bursary applications of these outside sources differ from that of the department, we do reserve the right to evaluate all applications received at the respective closing dates of these sources.

All applications will be evaluated by an appointed panel and feedback will be given one month after the respective closing date. The decision made by the panel will be final. The department retains the right not to fill any position in the absence of a suitable candidate.

The following must be provided as part of the application:

• A letter of intent motivating your interest
• A certified copy of your full academic record
• An updated curriculum vitae (CV)
• Two reference letters
• Certified copies of all degree certificates
• A certified copy of your identification document (ID) or passport
• A completed application form of the University of the Free State
• If you obtained your qualifications outside South Africa, these qualifications must be evaluated by SAQA.

  The contact persons within the department are:

• Botany
  • Dr L Joubert
    
• Plant Breeding
  • Prof A Minnaar-Ontong
• Plant Pathology
  • Prof W Boshoff