Bachelor of Science Honours in Botany at Nelson Mandela University

Programme overview

At postgraduate level, our objective involves maintaining a high level of scientific excellence in botanical research with specific emphasis on the role of plants in the structure and functioning of terrestrial and marine (including estuarine) communities and ecosystems. Students may select from the following specialisation fields: Marine Botany Ecology Environmental Management Physiology Conservation Biology (Presented jointly with the departments of Zoology and Economics) Plant Physiology Systematic Botany The following topics may be chosen with any of the specialisation fields: Landscape Ecology and GIS Environmental Management Procedures

Faculty: Science | Duration: 1 years | Study mode: full-time | Location: Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, South Africa

What you will study

The published curriculum is an NQF Level 8 qualification of 120 credits.

Career pathways

Career fields listed on the page: Botanist, Conservation Biologist, Environmental Manager, Marine Biologist, Restoration Ecologist.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS The entrance qualification for the Honours degree in Botany is a Bachelor’s degree with Botany as a major subject. Candidates who have not obtained an average of at least 60% in this major subject will only be admitted to the Honours programme with the special permission of the Department, and on such conditions as may be determined by the Department.

Tuition is charged per module, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Applications for the 2027 academic year opened on 13 April 2026. Applications for MBChB, Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Nursing Extended, BPharm and Bachelor of Radiography (Diagnostic) close on 30 June 2026.

Early applications for 2027 (excluding MBChB, Nursing, BPharm and BRad) close on 03 August 2026; late applications close on 30 September 2026.

International student applications for 2027 (excluding MBChB, BPharm and BRad) close on 30 September 2026. The application fee for international students is R500 per year; online applications by South African applicants carry no application fee.

Student accommodation applications for 2027 close on 30 September 2026.

2026 down-payments before registration: R10 600 full-time (R6 200 part-time) for degrees, postgraduate diplomas, advanced diplomas, Masters and Doctorates; R7 500 full-time (R5 200 part-time) for diplomas and certificates; enrolment fee R1 770. International students pay 100% upfront.

Apply through the official page: https://applyonline.mandela.ac.za

Explore more study programmes

STEM