Programme: PhD Soil Science

Kindly take note of the disclaimer regarding qualifications and degree names.
Code Faculty
02260805 Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences
Credits Duration NQF level
Minimum duration of study: 2 years Total credits: 360 NQF level:  10

Programme information

Duration of studies
The doctorate is conferred on a student only if one of the following periods has expired:

  1. At least four years after complying with all the requirements for a three-year bachelor’s degree.
  2. At least three years after complying with all the requirements for a four-year bachelor’s degree.
  3. At least two years after complying with all the requirements for a bachelor’s degree of five years or more.
  4. At least two years after complying with all the requirements for a master’s degree.
  5. With the exception of a shorter period that may be approved by the Dean, at least 12 months since registration for the doctorate at this University has expired.

The relevant head of department may set specific residential requirements for students who are required to live on campus.

Renewal of registration
Subject to other faculty regulations, a student for a doctorate must complete his or her studies within three years after first registering for the degree. Under special circumstances, the Dean, on the recommendation of the relevant head of department or the Postgraduate Committee, may give approval for a limited fixed extension of this period.

Curriculum
The curriculum for the PhD degree consists of the following:

  1. Theoretical knowledge of the major subject/s and such additional modules as may be prescribed.
  2. A thesis.

General
Candidates are required to familiarise themselves with the General Regulations regarding the maximum duration of study and the requirements to submit an article/s for publication.

Admission requirements

  • MScAgric (Soil Science) or applicable research master’s degree
  • At least 60% for the dissertation component in the preceding degree
  • A research proposal

Examinations and pass requirements

  1. Consult the General Regulations that apply to the calculation of marks.
  2. In order to obtain the PhD degree the candidate must:
  • pass the examinations and the prescribed modules, as determined in the study programme;
  • pass the thesis; and
  • pass the final examination on the thesis and general subject knowledge.

Core modules

  • Module content:

    This module involves the development, presentation and approval of a research proposal, the execution of the research project, and the writing up and presenting of the research results.  In addition to the thesis, the student is also expected to publish at least one research paper in a peer-reviewed, UP accredited scientific journal.  An oral examination covering Soil Science and other fields related to the thesis will be conducted after the thesis has been accepted by examiners.  A candidate needs to pass both the written thesis and oral examination to qualify for the degree.

    View more

Core modules

  • Module content:

    This module involves the development, presentation and approval of a research proposal, the execution of the research project, and the writing up and presenting of the research results.  In addition to the thesis, the student is also expected to publish at least one research paper in a peer-reviewed, UP accredited scientific journal.  An oral examination covering Soil Science and other fields related to the thesis will be conducted after the thesis has been accepted by examiners.  A candidate needs to pass both the written thesis and oral examination to qualify for the degree.

    View more


The information published here is subject to change and may be amended after the publication of this information. The General Regulations (G Regulations) apply to all faculties of the University of Pretoria. It is expected of students to familiarise themselves well with these regulations as well as with the information contained in the General Rules section. Ignorance concerning these regulations and rules will not be accepted as an excuse for any transgression.

Copyright © University of Pretoria 2024. All rights reserved.

FAQ's Email Us Virtual Campus Share Cookie Preferences