University in South Africa
Hoedspruit, Limpopo, South Africa
University profile
The Southern African Wildlife College (SAWC) is a private higher education and training institution for conservation, set inside the Greater Kruger landscape near Hoedspruit in Limpopo. It was conceptualised in 1993 and established in 1996 by WWF South Africa, and is run as a non-profit company (NPC, registration 1996/005726/08) with WWF South Africa and the Peace Parks Foundation as founder partners and SADC and South African National Parks as strategic partners. It is a SADC-recognised centre of specialisation in conservation education, training and skills development. The College reports more than 23,000 people from 60 countries trained, with graduates working in 130 parks across Africa.
Programmes are grouped in education pillars covering CHE-accredited higher education qualifications, occupational qualifications and skills programmes, and short learning programmes. Higher education offerings are the Advanced Certificate in Nature Conservation: Trans-Frontier Conservation Management (NQF 6, 120 credits, one year) and the new three-year blended Diploma in Applied Natural Resource Management (NQF 6, 360 credits). Occupational offerings include the National Certificate: Natural Resource Management: Terrestrial (NQF 5), the National Certificate: Nature Conservation: Resource Guardianship (NQF 2), field ranger law enforcement, dangerous game site guide, FGASA nature guide training, conservation general assistant and aviation theory courses, plus a 21-week Youth Access Conservation Bridging Course.
Training is organised through departments: Protected Area Integrity (field rangers, a K9 unit, an aerial support unit and an operations centre for control room and fusion centre training), Responsible Resource Use (guiding, eco-ranger and herding courses), Skills Development for Conservation, the RISE unit for community-based training, and Applied Learning and Research. Trainers are practising conservation professionals contracted for specific modules, and all tuition is in English.
The campus is an eco-friendly development within a contractual national park with Kruger, 10 km west of Orpen Gate. Students live on campus in en-suite twin rooms, and a separate tented base houses field ranger trainees. Meals are prepared by the College's hospitality department. Recreation includes soccer and volleyball fields, a swimming pool and a gym. A clinic with a nurse is available on campus.
The College is registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training as a private higher education institution (registration 2011/HE08/004, valid to 31 December 2027), accredited with CATHSSETA (613/P/000001/2004), endorsed by the Field Guides Association of Southern Africa for nature guide training, and recognised as an Institute of Sectoral and Occupational Excellence by CATHSSETA. It receives no government subsidy.
Bursaries are limited and depend on donor support; full bursaries are not offered and students must apply formally by completing the financial support section of the course application form, stating what their employer or they can contribute so that the bursary covers the balance of the subsidised fee. Students are also encouraged to seek funding from employers, conservation agencies and funders in their home countries.
Donors can fund training bursaries through the Sponsor-A-Student campaign ([email protected]). Details: SAWC financial support; funding questions: +27 (0)15 793 7300.
Southern African Wildlife College Bursaries and Trust Scholarships →
SAWC KAZA Field Ranger Training Scholarship 2026 →
SAWC Youth Access Conservation Bridging Course Bursary →
Browse the scholarships listed for Southern African Wildlife College NPC and check each award’s eligibility.
View scholarships for Southern African Wildlife College NPC →Diploma in Applied Natural Resource Management (NQF 6, 3 years, blended). NSC (or equivalent) with a minimum APS of 30 with Mathematics or Technical Mathematics, or 31 with Mathematical Literacy; English at Level 4 (50 to 59%); Mathematics or Technical Mathematics at Level 3 (40 to 49%) or Mathematical Literacy at Level 4 (50 to 59%). Recommended subjects are Life Sciences, Agricultural Sciences or Agricultural Management Practices, Geography, Computer Applications Technology or Information Technology, and Business Studies or Economics. NC(V) Level 4 in Primary Agriculture with English (50 to 59%) and the same mathematics levels is also accepted. Applicants with a completed NQF 5 or 6 certificate in natural resource management or nature conservation may be considered through RPL and credit transfer. Proof of computer proficiency (for example ICDL or National Benchmark Tests) is needed if there is no NQF 4 pass in a computer subject, and proof of English proficiency if English is not the first language. Students need their own laptop and reliable internet; years 1 and 2 are live online evening sessions plus about 20 self-study hours a week, with on-campus exam and practical blocks, and year 3 is on-campus project-based work-integrated learning.
Advanced Certificate in Nature Conservation: Trans-Frontier Conservation Management (NQF 6, 120 credits, one year). English and Mathematical Literacy at NQF 5, a recognised conservation qualification at NQF 5 or equivalent, and at least five years of full-time employment in a nature conservation role; aimed at staff earmarked for management positions. Candidates need an endorsement letter from their employer.
National Certificate: Natural Resource Management: Terrestrial (NQF 5, 144 credits, one year) is limited to about 50 students a year who are endorsed by an employing organisation. National Certificate: Nature Conservation: Resource Guardianship (NQF 2, 138 credits) requires Communication and Mathematical Literacy at NQF 1. Professional Hunting (NQF 4) requires applicants over 22 who are conversant in English. Field ranger programmes require a physical selection assessment on arrival, including a 2.4 km timed run, sit-ups, push-ups, pull-ups, a flexed-arm hang, a fireman's carry and a 200 m run and tackle.
A 21-week course for ages 18 to 26 (2026 intake started 1 June 2026; applications closed 24 April 2026). Requirements: matric with at least Level 4 in English and Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy, computer literacy, fluent English, physical fitness, no previous permanent employment, no criminal record, previously disadvantaged individual status and no previous College bursary. Selected applicants are interviewed. Applications go to [email protected] or by hand at the Main Gate.
Complete the course application form for the chosen programme and submit it electronically, with a motivation letter, certified copies of qualifications and ID, a certified medical certificate, an updated CV and any other documents the form lists (each file up to 5 MB). Higher education and National Certificate applicants need a letter of endorsement from their employer's Human Resources or Training Manager; independent applicants are not accepted for these. Occupational qualifications and short courses accept independent applications. Short courses run with a minimum of 10 participants. The academic year runs from January to mid-December. Contact: +27 (0)15 793 7300; registrar [email protected].
Diploma in Applied Natural Resource Management: R57,000 (year 1), R60,000 (year 2) and R200,000 (year 3, varying with the project site), including teaching materials and on-campus accommodation and meals for exam and practical blocks; transport, medical insurance and visas are extra. Fees for the Advanced Certificate and National Certificate are subsidised by donors, with employers contributing at least 20% of course costs. Fees are payable by the end of the first semester. Other course fees are quoted on request.
Students from across SADC attend; international students living outside South Africa meet their own visa and study permit requirements.
Recreation: soccer and volleyball fields, swimming pool, fitness facility with gym equipment and a recreation area with television, pool table and darts. A nurse-run clinic and the library service are available on campus. The College also has online learning systems (TalentLMS and Google Workspace) for off-campus students.
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