The University of the Free State (UFS) has introduced a Bachelor of Engineering in Agriculture and Biosystems. It’s a forward-looking degree that combines technology, science, and farming to address the world’s most pressing food, water, and energy challenges.
The new engineering degree is offered alongside the existing Bachelor of Science degree that specialises in Physics with Engineering Subjects.
It leads students to postgraduate studies in Ecological and nature-based Engineering Sciences. Here, students study the most complex sustainable ecosystems that integrate human society with the natural environment for the benefit of both.
About the degree
Offered by the Engineering Science department at UFS, the new programme equips students to design, build, and manage solutions across the full agricultural value chain.
From day one, students engage with real-world applications and will learn the following:
- Agricultural mechanisation (including drones and GIS)
- Modern water and irrigation systems
- Soil and environmental stewardship
- Sustainable energy, such as solar and biofuels
- Precision agriculture and data-driven smart farming
- Post-harvest handling and food processing.
Graduates are prepared for diverse career paths that could result in titles like:
- Agricultural/Biosystems Engineer
- Irrigation & Water Resource Engineer
- Agri-tech/Smart Farming Specialist
- Food Processing/Bioenergy Engineer.
Typical employers range from farming and agribusiness companies to engineering and environmental consultancies. Water and energy organisations, government departments, research centres, and universities are also potential employers.
In short, the degree opens doors across both public and private sectors. This occurs wherever sustainable food systems and resilient infrastructure are priorities.
An excellent qualification
Quality and professional alignment are central to the qualification.
The BEng in Agriculture & Biosystems is endorsed by the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA). This endorsement underscores its relevance to industry standards and its focus on producing job-ready graduates.
Furthermore, our postgraduate degree in Ecological and Nature-based Engineering Science is endorsed by the International Ecological Engineering Society.
These innovative programmes represent a significant milestone for ecological engineering education, not only in South Africa but also globally.
They are the first postgraduate degrees of their kind on the African continent. These degrees address a critical gap in advanced training and research in ecological and nature-based engineering science.
The launch aligns with UFS’s Vision 130 – to be research-led, student-centred, and regionally engaged. It cultivates engineers who can translate cutting-edge knowledge into tangible impact for the Free State, South Africa, and beyond.
Students will be immersed in the kind of innovation that serves local needs while meeting global benchmarks.
Why choose this UFS degree
This degree is an ideal fit for students who love engineering, science and nature and suited for those who want to work with emerging technologies and care deeply about sustainability.
Whether your passion is to design smarter farm machinery or optimise irrigation for water-scarce regions, the programme is ideal. You can also explore turning agricultural waste into energy, nature-based solutions or ecological engineering sciences. The programme provides a strong foundation and clear pathways into high-impact roles.
To qualify for any of these degrees offered by Engineering Sciences, the minimum entry requirements are:
- A minimum AP score of 30.
- A performance level 4 (50%) in English.
- Mathematics at a minimum performance level 6 (at least 70%).
- Physical Science at a minimum performance level 5 (at least 60%).
Closing date: 31 October 2025
