The Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (LDARD) invites qualifying South African students and prospective students to apply for the External Bursary Programme for the 2027 academic year.
Bursary Application Closing Date: 30 October 2026 at 16:00
Bursary Location: Limpopo, South Africa
Academic Year: 2027
Fields Funded: Agricultural Engineering, Civil Engineering and Veterinary Medicine
Bursary Coverage: Tuition, accommodation, books, meals and monthly allowance, subject to availability of funds
About the LDARD Bursary Programme
The LDARD External Bursary Programme provides financial assistance to qualifying students who are studying or intend to study in selected fields linked to agriculture and rural development.
The bursary particularly targets previously disadvantaged and impoverished persons from poverty-stricken and rural communities.
Women and persons with disabilities are also encouraged to apply.
Applicants should note that only the fields specifically listed in the bursary advertisement will be considered.
Fields of Study
LDARD is offering bursaries for the following three fields of study:
- BSc Agricultural Engineering
- National Diploma: Civil Engineering
- Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine
Applications for fields of study that are not listed above will not be considered.
BSc Agricultural Engineering
Applicants interested in studying BSc Agricultural Engineering must meet the following minimum subject requirements:
- Mathematics: Level 6 (70–79%)
- Physical Science: Level 6 (70–79%)
Applicants must also meet the admission requirements of the institution where they intend to study.
National Diploma: Civil Engineering
Applicants interested in the National Diploma: Civil Engineering must meet the following minimum subject requirements:
- Mathematics: Level 6 (70–79%)
- Physical Science: Level 6 (70–79%)
Students should ensure that the exact qualification they intend to study meets the requirements of the LDARD bursary programme.
Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine
Applicants intending to pursue a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine must meet the following minimum subject requirements:
- Mathematics: Level 6 (70–79%)
- Physical Science: Level 6 (70–79%)
Applicants must separately satisfy the admission requirements of the university offering the veterinary qualification.
What Does the LDARD Bursary Cover?
LDARD describes the programme as a comprehensive bursary.
Subject to the availability of funds, the bursary may cover:
- Tuition fees.
- Accommodation.
- Books.
- Meals.
- Monthly allowance.
Meeting the minimum requirements does not automatically guarantee that an applicant will receive funding.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must:
- Be South African citizens.
- Be pursuing or intending to pursue studies in one of the advertised fields.
- Meet the Mathematics and Physical Science requirements applicable to the advertised programmes.
- Complete the prescribed LDARD bursary application form.
- Submit the required supporting documents.
The programme particularly targets previously disadvantaged and impoverished applicants from poverty-stricken and rural communities.
Women and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Can You Apply Without a University Acceptance Letter?
Yes. According to the supplied bursary information, applicants who are still waiting for their university acceptance letter or academic results may submit their bursary application while waiting for these documents.
Applicants should therefore not miss the bursary deadline simply because an acceptance letter or final results have not yet been issued.
Documents Required
Completed applications must be accompanied by supporting documents, including:
- Certified copy of the applicant’s ID.
- Certified copies of relevant certificates.
- Academic or performance results.
- Completed LDARD External Bursary application form.
Applicants should ensure that all information provided on the application form is complete and accurate.
Important Information for Applicants
Applicants should take note of the following:
- Applications for study fields not listed in the advertisement will not be considered.
- Late applications will not be considered.
- Communication will be limited to successful applicants.
- Applicants who do not receive communication from LDARD within 60 days should consider their applications unsuccessful.
- The Department reserves the right to determine the number of bursaries awarded.
- Bursary awards are subject to budget and funding availability.
How to Apply
Applicants must complete the official LDARD External Bursary Application Form and submit it together with the required supporting documents.
Click here to download the LDARD External Bursary Application Form 2027
Completed applications should be submitted to:
Head of Department
Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
69 Biccard Street
Private Bag X9487
Polokwane
0700
Limpopo, South Africa
Applicants should ensure that their applications reach the Department before 16:00 on 30 October 2026.