Environmental Scientist
Assess environmental impact, manage water and waste, and help projects meet environmental law.
What the job involves
- Run environmental impact assessments for developments.
- Monitor water, air and waste compliance.
- Advise mines, municipalities and developers on the law.
School subjects you need
Mathematics strongly preferred. Confirm the exact requirement with the institution you apply to.
- Mathematics
- Life Sciences
- English
- Geography
- Physical Sciences
Marks you normally need
- Minimum NSC pass
- Bachelor's pass
- Indicative APS
- Roughly 26–34
- Subject percentages institutions look for
- Mathematics: 50–60%+
- Life Sciences or Geography: 55%+
These are indicative ranges for guidance only. Every university, university of technology and TVET college sets its own admission requirements — check the current prospectus of the institution you are applying to.
Study routes
- BSc Environmental Science3 years + Honours
Honours is usually expected for consulting work; EAPASA registration follows experience.
- Nature conservation diploma3 years
Field-based route into reserves and conservation agencies.
What you could earn
- Entry level
- R20 000 – R32 000 per month
- Mid-career
- R38 000 – R65 000 per month
- Senior
- R75 000 – R120 000 per month
Indicative gross monthly ranges from public South African salary sources. They vary by employer, province and experience, and are not guarantees. Compare all careers.
Where you can study this
Public institutions that commonly offer this field. Confirm the exact programme, its minimum APS and the closing date on the institution's own admissions page.
- University of Cape TownUCT · Cape Town
- University of the WitwatersrandWits · Johannesburg
- Stellenbosch UniversitySU · Stellenbosch
- University of PretoriaUP · Pretoria
- University of KwaZulu-NatalUKZN · Durban and Pietermaritzburg
- North-West UniversityNWU · Potchefstroom, Mahikeng and Vanderbijlpark
- University of the Free StateUFS · Bloemfontein
- University of the Western CapeUWC · Bellville, Cape Town
- Rhodes UniversityRhodes · Makhanda
- Nelson Mandela UniversityNMU · Gqeberha
- University of Fort HareUFH · Alice and East London
- University of LimpopoUL · Mankweng, Polokwane
- University of VendaUniven · Thohoyandou
- University of ZululandUniZulu · KwaDlangezwa, Richards Bay
- Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences UniversitySMU · Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoria
- Sol Plaatje UniversitySPU · Kimberley
- University of MpumalangaUMP · Mbombela and Siyabuswa
- University of South AfricaUnisa · Distance learning, head office in Pretoria
- Vaal University of TechnologyVUT · Vanderbijlpark
- Mangosuthu University of TechnologyMUT · Umlazi, Durban
Official sources
Questions learners ask
Isifinyezo / Opsomming
isiZulu: Uhlola umthelela wemvelo futhi aqinisekise ukulandelwa komthetho.
Afrikaans: Assesseer omgewingsimpak en nakoming van wetgewing.