PhD Plant Breeding at University of the Free State

Programme overview

The PhD in Plant Breeding is a doctoral research degree (academic plan code BC490041) in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the University of the Free State, offered on the Bloemfontein campus through the Plant Sciences grouping. It is assessed by thesis and can be studied full-time or part-time.

Faculty: Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences | Department: Plant Sciences | Duration: 3 years / 5 years | Study mode: full-time | Location: Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa

What you will study

Candidates complete an independent research project in plant breeding and submit a thesis.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (doctoral degrees): admission is by selection. Applicants must meet the programme's minimum admission criteria and the faculty/department's specific requirements; meeting the minimum criteria does not guarantee a place, as selection depends on available space and academic results. Departmental application/selection forms may also be required, to be confirmed with the programme director.

Requirements published at faculty level.

Domestic applicants: ZAR 55,220 for the whole programme (2027). Estimated 2027 cost of a doctoral degree over three years (R16,680 year 1, R18,350 year 2, R20,190 year 3), for South African and SADC students; subject to change. International non-SADC students pay the actual module price plus 50%. Source

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.

PhD applications in Economic and Management Sciences open on 1 April; local applicants close 30 September and international applicants close 31 August.

Apply through the official page: https://www.ufs.ac.za/prospective/study-at-ufs/apply

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