The Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (LDARD) is inviting eligible South African students and learners to apply for its External Bursary Programme for the 2027 academic year.
The Department intends to award comprehensive bursaries to students pursuing selected qualifications in engineering and veterinary medicine. The bursary may cover tuition, accommodation, books, meals and a monthly allowance, subject to the availability of funds.
Applications close on 30 October 2026 at 16:00.
At a glance
Sponsor/host: Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (LDARD)
Opportunity type: External bursary
Academic year funded: 2027
Who it’s for: South African citizens intending to study or already studying in one of the approved fields
Priority group: Previously disadvantaged and financially disadvantaged applicants, particularly those from poverty-stricken and rural communities
Fields supported:
- BSc Agricultural Engineering
- National Diploma Civil Engineering
- Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine
Minimum subject requirement: Mathematics and Physical Science at Level 6 (70%–79%)
Funding: Comprehensive bursary, subject to available funds
Closing date: 30 October 2026 at 16:00
Application method: Complete the official LDARD External Bursary Application Form and submit it with the required supporting documents
Last verified: 21 September 2026.
High-value notes (read this first)
- Applicants must be South African citizens.
- Only the fields specifically listed in the official 2027 advert will be considered.
- Mathematics and Physical Science at Level 6, equivalent to 70%–79%, are required for the three advertised study fields.
- The bursary may cover tuition, accommodation, books, meals and a monthly allowance.
- Funding is subject to the Department’s available budget.
- Applicants who do not yet have their university acceptance letter or final results may still submit an application while waiting for those documents.
- Women and persons with disabilities are specifically encouraged to apply.
- Late applications will not be considered.
- Communication will be limited to successful applicants. Applicants who have not received communication within 60 days should consider their applications unsuccessful.
About the sponsor
The Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is a provincial government department responsible for supporting agriculture, rural development and related economic development within Limpopo.
The Department offers external bursaries each year to assist learners and students to pursue tertiary studies in fields linked to agriculture, rural development and the Department’s scarce-skills requirements. Its official bursary page publishes the current application form and bursary advertisements.
What it covers
The official 2027 advert describes the funding as a comprehensive bursary.
Subject to the availability of funds, the bursary may cover:
- Tuition fees
- Accommodation
- Books
- Meals
- Monthly allowance
The advert does not state fixed rand values for these benefits. The final value and approved expenses will therefore depend on the bursary allocation and available budget.
Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Be South African citizens
- Be applying for one of the approved study fields
- Meet the academic requirements for the relevant qualification
- Complete the official LDARD bursary application form
- Submit the required certified supporting documents
- Submit the application before the deadline
The programme particularly targets previously disadvantaged and impoverished applicants from poverty-stricken and rural communities.
Women and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Fields of study supported
BSc Agricultural Engineering
Minimum academic requirement:
- Mathematics: Level 6 / 70%–79%
- Physical Science: Level 6 / 70%–79%
National Diploma Civil Engineering
Minimum academic requirement:
- Mathematics: Level 6 / 70%–79%
- Physical Science: Level 6 / 70%–79%
Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine
Minimum academic requirement:
- Mathematics: Level 6 / 70%–79%
- Physical Science: Level 6 / 70%–79%.
Applicants applying for study fields that are not included in the official advert will not be considered.
Documents to prepare
The official 2027 application form requires certified copies of the applicable supporting documents, including:
- South African ID document
- Grade 12 certificate or statement of results
- Grade 12 June/July report if currently in Grade 12
- Academic record if already studying at university
- University admission letter
- Proof of residence
- Parent or guardian salary advice / proof of income.
The Department also states that applicants who are still waiting for their acceptance letter or results may submit the application without those documents initially.
Important application-form information
The application form asks applicants to provide information including:
- Personal and contact details
- Province and district of residence
- High-school information and subjects
- Intended university or institution
- Qualification
- Main subjects or courses
- Period and level of study
- Research-project information, where applicable
- Details of any other bursary or sponsorship
- Details of any existing study loan.
Applicants must sign the declaration confirming that the information supplied is correct and that they will comply with the applicable bursary rules if funded.
Closing date
30 October 2026 at 16:00.
No late applications will be considered.
Applicants should prepare certified documents and submit well ahead of the closing date.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Applying for a study field not listed in the 2027 advertisement
- Applying without meeting the Mathematics and Physical Science requirements
- Forgetting to use the official 2027 application form
- Leaving sections of the application form incomplete
- Forgetting certified copies of the required documents
- Failing to provide proof of residence
- Forgetting parent or guardian income documentation
- Waiting for an admission letter before applying when the Department specifically allows applicants to submit while waiting
- Failing to sign the declaration
- Submitting after 16:00 on 30 October 2026
How this opportunity was verified
This opportunity was verified directly from the official Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development bursary webpage, the official 2027 External Bursary Advertisement and the official 2027 External Bursary Application Form.
The documents confirm the three eligible study fields, academic requirements, comprehensive funding package, South African citizenship requirement, supporting documents and closing date of 30 October 2026 at 16:00.
How to apply
- Visit the official LDARD bursaries page.
- Download the Application for External Bursary.
- Complete all sections of the application form.
- Prepare certified copies of the applicable supporting documents.
- Clearly state the qualification for which you are applying.
- Sign the applicant declaration.
- Submit the application through the appropriate district of residence, as instructed on the official application form.
- Ensure the application reaches LDARD before 30 October 2026 at 16:00.
- Keep copies of the application and supporting documents.