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BSc in Forestry (Forestry and Wood Sciences) (BScFor)

Bachelors degree
ID:
0679_100_A101

Forestry and Natural Resource Sciences:
This field of study deals with forests, plantations, woodlands and other tree-based land use systems. The programme introduces you to the entire forest and forest products value chain, including the growing and harvesting of timber, socio-economics, management and conservation ecology. In your first year you start off with modules in Biology, Chemistry, Geo-environmental Science, Computer Skills and Mathematics, as well as a module in Forest Science. From the second year you study the basic applied natural sciences, such as Soil Science and Biometry and in your third and fourth year, you take several Forest Science modules, which culminate in an assignment where you are required to design a comprehensive forest management plan.

Wood and Wood Products Sciences:
This field is a combination of wood products science and engineering modules Knowledge of wood products science is combined with modules such as Strength of Materials, Quality Management, Industrial Ergonomics, Environmental Engineering and Enterprise Design to create a degree which delivers sought-after leaders in the forest products environment.

Ample bursaries are available - a high percentage of our students obtained full bursaries for their undergraduate studies! Besides, students who complete this programme usually do not have any problems in obtaining work. They usually pursue careers as managers, but they could also become consultants, contractors, entrepreneurs, extension officers, environment planners and researchers.

Contact information
Erik van Zyl
Faculty Administrator
Monika Basson
Undergraduate Recruitment and Marketing

Programme overview

Duration
Four years
Campus
Stellenbosch

More information

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Career opportunities

Forest and Natural Resources Sciences: Work as a forestry expert, timber grower, environmental planner, forest researcher, forester, extension officer or consultant, logistics manager, tree breeder, rural development advisor and entrepreneur.

Wood and Wood Products Sciences: Work as a wood products expert, manager in a production plant for wood products, product development manager, quality assurance manager, consultant and wood scientist.
Occupations:
Forester
Consultant
Manager

Minimum admission requirements – NSC/ IEB

- An NSC aggregate of at least 60% (excluding Life Orientation)
English OR Afrikaans (Home Language or First Additional Language) 50%
See additional requirements for each field of study

Forestry and Natural Resources Sciences:
Mathematics 60%
Physical Sciences (Physics and Chemistry) 50%;

Wood and Wood Products Sciences:
Mathematics 70%
Physical Sciences (Physics and Chemistry) 60%

Minimum admission requirements – International curricula

IEB-ISC

IEB-ISC (NBTs compulsory) IEB-ISC aggregate of at least 60% (excluding Active Citizenry) English OR Afrikaans Home Language or First Additional Language 50% See additional requirements for each field of study Forestry and Natural Resources Sciences Mathematics 60% Physical Sciences (Physics AND Chemistry) 50% Wood and Wood Products Sciences Mathematics 70% Physical Sciences (Physics AND Chemistry) 60%

German Abitur

University Exemption with 60% average
Afrikaans or English, First or
Second language, 4 (Nam 6)
If specialising in Forestry and Natural Resources Science,
Maths 6 (Nam 8)
Physics AND Chemistry 4 (Nam 6)
If specialising in Wood and Wood Products Science,
Maths 8 (Nam 10)
Physics AND Chemistry 6 (Nam 8)

International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB Diploma)

University Exemption with 60% average
Afrikaans or English, First or
Second Language, 4 on HL or 5 on SL
If specialising in Forestry and Natural Resources Science,
Maths 4 on HL or 5 on SL
Physics AND Chemistry 4 on HL or 5 on SL
If specialising in Wood and Wood Products Science,
Maths 4 on HL or 5 on SL
Physics AND Chemistry 4 on HL or 5 on SL

Cambridge International/Pearson Edexcel AS-level , IGCSE/O-level

University Exemption with
60% average
Afrikaans or English, First or Second language, D on AS-Level or C on GCSE/O-Level
If specialising in Forestry and Natural Resources Science,
Maths C on AS-Level
Physics AND Chemistry D on AS-Level
If specialising in Wood and Wood Products Science,
Maths B on AS-Level
Physics AND Chemistry C on AS-Level

Cambridge International/Pearson Edexcel A-level , IGCSE/O-level

University Exemption with
60% average
Afrikaans or English, First or Second Language, E on A-Level or C on GCSE/O-Level
If specialising in Forestry and Natural Resources Science,
Maths E on A-Level
Physics AND Chemistry E on A-Level
If specialising in Wood and Wood Products Science,
Maths D on A-Level
Physics AND Chemistry E on A-Leve

Programme structure

Full-time

Last updated 01 April 2026
Disclaimer:
The University reserves the right to amend the information on this webpage at any time. While every effort is made to ensure that the information provided is accurate and complete, it may be subject to change or become outdated. It remains the responsibility of prospective students to verify all details against the relevant faculty yearbook or directly with the relevant department.

Application dates

South African students
Applications open:
1 April 2026
Applications close:
31 July 2026
International students
Applications open:
1 April 2026
Applications close:
31 July 2026