The Bachelor of Science in Pest Management at Walter Sisulu University is a three-year degree at the Mthatha campus that provides graduates with a thorough understanding of how to initiate, plan, and implement adaptive pest control programmes. Graduates develop practical skills in manipulating technical equipment, capturing and analysing field and laboratory data, writing technical reports, and applying communication skills in agricultural and environmental contexts. The programme also addresses the role of arthropods in biodiversity conservation and the constraints on human population growth due to food insecurity — highly relevant to South Africa's agricultural sustainability and food security agenda.
English Home Language or English First Additional Language: 50–59% (Level 4)
Mathematics: 50–59% (Level 4)
Physical Sciences: 50–59% (Level 4)
Life Sciences: 50–59% (Level 4)
APS: 25
Senior Pest Management Specialist – Design and implement integrated pest management programmes for commercial agriculture, plantation forestry, or stored product protection in South African agribusiness.
Agricultural Extension Scientist (Pest Management) – Provide expert advice and support to farmers on sustainable crop protection, pest scouting, and resistance management for provincial agriculture departments or agri-cooperatives.
Research Entomologist – Investigate insect biology, pest ecology, and biocontrol strategies at the ARC, universities, or agricultural research institutes, contributing to South Africa’s agricultural science base.
Biosecurity and Plant Health Inspector – Conduct phytosanitary inspections and import/export compliance work for DALRRD, preventing the establishment of invasive pest species threatening South Africa’s agriculture.
Environmental Pest Management Consultant – Advise municipalities, conservation organisations, and landowners on managing invasive species, vector control, and biodiversity-sensitive pest control programmes.
