If you’re a Limpopo student dreaming of a career in agriculture, engineering, or veterinary science, the LDARD Bursary Programme could be your ticket to a fully funded degree. Here’s a complete, easy-to-follow breakdown of what the 2027 bursary offers, who qualifies, and exactly how to apply.
What Is the LDARD Bursary?
The Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development runs an annual External Bursary Programme aimed at helping talented students from the province study in fields that feed directly into agricultural and rural development work. For the 2027 intake, the department is calling on South African students to apply for bursaries in Agricultural Engineering, Civil Engineering, and Veterinary Medicine. L
The programme leans heavily toward giving opportunity to those who need it most. It targets students from previously disadvantaged and poverty-stricken rural backgrounds, and both female applicants and people with disabilities are specifically encouraged to apply.
Fields of Study Covered
Only three qualifications are funded this round, so check that your course matches before you apply:
- BSc Agricultural Engineering
- National Diploma: Civil Engineering
- Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine
Applications outside these three fields won’t be considered this year.
What the Bursary Pays For
This isn’t just a tuition top-up — it’s designed to cover the full cost of studying. Successful applicants get full coverage of tuition fees for their accredited programme, plus accommodation and meals while they study. On top of that, a monthly allowance is provided, though this depends on how much funding the department has available in a given year.
Who Can Apply
Before you fill in a single form, make sure you actually meet the basic criteria:
- You must be a South African citizen
- You must reside in Limpopo province
- You must have completed Matric
- You need roughly 70%–80% in Mathematics and Physical Science
- You must be studying — or have been accepted to study — full-time in one of the three listed fields at a recognised tertiary institution
Don’t have your acceptance letter or final results yet? That’s fine. You can still submit your application and provide those documents once they’re available.
Documents You’ll Need
Get these together in advance so you’re not scrambling near the deadline:
- Certified copy of your ID document
- Matric certificate (if completed)
- Academic transcripts on your institution’s letterhead (if currently studying)
- Proof of acceptance from a tertiary institution (can follow later if not yet available)
- Your parent’s or guardian’s ID document, or a death certificate if applicable
- Proof of household income — recent payslips, an affidavit if unemployed, or proof of a SASSA grant or pension where relevant
- SASSA or GEPF confirmation letter, if applicable
- Proof of residence
Missing documents can disqualify an otherwise strong application, so double-check your file before you send it off.
How to Apply — Step by Step
1. Confirm you’re eligible. Run through the requirements above one more time.
2. Download the official application form.
👉 Direct link: LDARD External Bursary Application Form (PDF)
3. Complete the form in full and gather your supporting documents.
4. Post your application to:
The Head of Department
Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
Human Resources Development
Private Bag X9487
Polokwane
0700
Note that applications currently go in by post — there’s no online submission portal for this bursary.
5. Submit before the deadline. Applications need to reach the department before 16:00 on 30 October 2026. Anything arriving after that cut-off won’t be considered, so don’t leave it to the last minute — postal delivery can take time.
What Happens After You Apply
Shortlisted candidates are typically contacted within about 60 days of the closing date. If you haven’t heard anything by then, it’s safe to assume the application wasn’t successful this round — though nothing stops you from applying again next year if your field and eligibility still match.
Quick Reference Summary
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Provider | Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (LDARD) |
| Academic year | 2027 |
| Fields funded | Agricultural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Veterinary Medicine |
| Covers | Tuition, accommodation, books, meals, monthly allowance |
| Who qualifies | SA citizens residing in Limpopo, Matric completed, 70–80% in Maths & Physics |
| Closing date | 30 October 2026, 16:00 |
| Apply via | Post — official PDF form |
Final Tip
Because this bursary funds so few, highly specific fields, your strongest move is making sure your qualification, marks, and residency status match exactly before you post anything. A single missing document or a field of study outside the listed three is the most common reason applications get turned away.
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