The University of Mpumalanga (UMP) offers postgraduate diplomas, honours degrees, master's degrees and PhDs, mainly in agriculture, the natural sciences, ICT and education. You apply online, and UMP closes its postgraduate applications later than many universities. Here is how it works, based on UMP's official pages.
Closing dates for 2027
Applications for 2027 admission opened on 1 June 2026. Honours programmes, postgraduate diplomas, master's programmes and doctoral programmes all close on 30 January 2027. Undergraduate programmes and advanced diplomas close earlier, on 30 November 2026.
How to apply
- Prepare certified electronic copies of your ID, your school certificate and all other relevant documents, in an accepted format such as PDF.
- Start your application online and capture your personal details.
- Create a five-digit PIN. Your student number appears on screen, so note it down.
- Accept the POPI Act notice and the application rules, then complete the student application.
UMP's Council discontinued application fees for the 2027 academic year onwards, so applying costs nothing.
Master of Science: an example
The School of Biology and Environmental Sciences offers MSc degrees by research, with no examinable coursework. To apply, you need a four-year BSc, a BSc Honours or an equivalent NQF level 8 qualification with at least 60%. Your application must include full academic transcripts and a research concept note of up to 500 words. Applicants with foreign qualifications also need a SAQA evaluation. Admission depends on academic performance, the relevance of previous studies, work experience and supervisory capacity.
MSc students do not attend lectures. Instead, they prepare a literature review and a project proposal with time frames, choose their methods, and carry out supervised research, with workshops where needed. For the Master of Agriculture in Agricultural Extension, you need a relevant honours degree or postgraduate diploma with an average of at least 60%.
Fees in 2026
- Bachelor of Agriculture Honours: R43,684
- Postgraduate Diploma in Agriculture: R55,687
- Master of Science, full-time: R67,278 for the first year and R33,639 for the second
- Master of Agriculture in Agricultural Extension, full-time: R64,074 for the first year
- PhD, full-time: R49,291 for each of the first two years and R24,646 for the third and fourth
Part-time master's study costs R33,639 a year for the MSc.
Other postgraduate programmes
UMP's fees handbook also lists honours degrees in Ecology, Entomology, Environmental Science, Geography, Geology and Archaeology, the Postgraduate Diploma in Nature Conservation, and a Postgraduate Diploma in ICT.
Library support
UMP's library has a postgraduate support section with information for research students.
Related pages
See UMP fees, UMP bursaries and how to apply to UMP.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do UMP postgraduate applications close?
For 2027, on 30 January 2027 for honours, master's and doctoral programmes.
Is there an application fee at UMP?
No. UMP discontinued application fees from the 2027 academic year.
What do I need for a UMP MSc?
A four-year BSc, BSc Honours or equivalent with at least 60%, plus a research concept note.