The Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (LDARD) is inviting qualifying applicants to apply for its External Bursary Programme for the 2027 academic year.
The programme is intended for applicants pursuing, or intending to pursue, selected careers in the agriculture and rural development sector. The department states that the bursary will provide comprehensive financial support, subject to the availability of funds.
LDARD Bursary 2027 – Quick Details
Bursary Provider: Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (LDARD)
Bursary Programme: External Bursary Programme
Academic Year: 2027
Location: Limpopo, South Africa
Study Level: Tertiary
Fields Funded: Agricultural Engineering, Civil Engineering and Veterinary Medicine
Funding: Tuition, accommodation, books, meals and monthly allowance
Closing Date: 30 October 2026 at 16:00
Reference: Departmental Circular No. 41 of 2026
Women: Encouraged to apply
Persons with disabilities: Encouraged to apply
The closing date and three advertised fields are also confirmed in a University of KwaZulu-Natal student notice published in September 2026.
What Does the LDARD Bursary Cover?
LDARD describes the bursary as comprehensive and states that it will cover:
- Tuition
- Accommodation
- Books
- Meals
- Monthly allowance
The monthly allowance and overall bursary support are subject to the availability of funds.
Applicants should therefore not interpret the listed benefits as a guaranteed cash amount.
Fields of Study
The 2027 advertisement lists three fields of study:
1. BSc Agricultural Engineering
Minimum requirement listed in the advertisement:
- Mathematics: Level 6 (70–79%)
- Physical Science: Level 6 (70–79%)
2. National Diploma: Civil Engineering
Minimum requirement:
- Mathematics: Level 6 (70–79%)
- Physical Science: Level 6 (70–79%)
3. Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine
Minimum requirement:
- Mathematics: Level 6 (70–79%)
- Physical Science: Level 6 (70–79%)
The published advertisement specifically lists these three qualifications; applicants interested in other fields should not assume they are covered by this particular bursary.
Who Can Apply?
The advertisement states that the bursary targets previously disadvantaged and impoverished persons from poverty-stricken and rural communities.
It also specifically encourages:
- Women to apply
- Persons with disabilities to apply
Current published summaries of the advertisement also state that applicants must be South African citizens.
Academic requirements
Applicants must meet the advertised academic requirements for their chosen field, including:
- Mathematics at Level 6 (70–79%)
- Physical Science at Level 6 (70–79%)
Important Application Information
The application is for the 2027 academic year, and applications close on:
30 October 2026 at 16:00
Late applications should not be relied upon.
Applicants should use the official LDARD External Bursary Application Form and carefully follow the submission instructions provided with the form.
A currently published application summary gives the submission address as:
Head of Department
Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
69 Biccard Street
Private Bag X9487
Polokwane
0700
Limpopo, South Africa
Because the uploaded advertisement itself does not contain the complete application-form instructions, I would recommend that NextStepZA directs applicants to the official application form and tells them to follow the latest submission instructions on that form.
Important Things Applicants Should Know
- Only the three advertised fields should be treated as eligible under this specific 2027 advertisement.
- The bursary is subject to funding availability.
- Meeting the minimum requirements does not automatically mean that a bursary will be awarded.
- Applicants should submit their applications before 16:00 on 30 October 2026.
- Women and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
- Applicants should keep copies of their completed application and supporting documents.
LDARD Bursary 2027 Closing Date
Closing date: 30 October 2026
Closing time: 16:00
Applicants should avoid waiting until the final day to submit their applications.
NextStepZA Application Guide
Step 1
Check that you are interested in one of the three advertised qualifications.
Step 2
Check your Mathematics and Physical Science results against the advertised Level 6 (70–79%) requirement.
Step 3
Obtain the official LDARD External Bursary Application Form.
Step 4
Complete the application form carefully and prepare the required supporting documents.
Step 5
Follow the submission instructions on the official application form.
Step 6
Submit the completed application so that it reaches LDARD before 16:00 on 30 October 2026.