Diploma in Applied Natural Resource Management

The Diploma is designed for employees of conservation and natural resource management-focused organisations, such as SANParks, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) member state agencies. It is also suitable for school leavers seeking education and training that will prepare them for work in conservation.

The curriculum is outlined  in the table below:

Delivery is blended, with a combination of online, face-to-face teaching, and work integrated learning. 

The first two years focus on essential theory and are delivered live online, during the evenings. During 1^st and 2^nd year, students will come to the SAWC campus twice each year, once at mid-year for one week for examinations and then again at the end of the year for three weeks for examinations and a two-week intensive practical block.

Third year is a year of Project-Based Work Integrated Learning (PJBWIL) which comprises alternating blocks of work at the College campus and blocks at a College managed project site. Some students may be able to complete the PJBWIL at their place or employment.

During the PJBWIL, students will apply, refine and further develop knowledge and skills learnt in the first two years. Please note that 3^rd year is NOT offered online and all students must be present at the College campus at the designated times.

The implications of the above are important and summarised below.

1. All students, (those currently employed and those not employed) must have sufficient time to participate in the evening online sessions and complete an ADDITIONAL 20 hours of self- study each week in the first two years. This may require an agreement with the employer.
2. For the first two years, all students must be prepared to attend two sessions each year at the College. The programme fee includes the cost of accommodation and meals while at the College, but students are responsible for their own transport, to and from the College. Students are also responsible for meeting visa/study requirements if living outside of South African borders.
3. All students must have their own laptop (a smartphone will not be enough) and access to reliable internet.
4. 1^st and 2^nd year can be completed while students are employed because sessions are held in the evenings. However, this is not possible in 3^rd year as students are based at the SAWC Campus, at a longitudinal study site, or at an approved workplace.

The admission requirements for the Diploma in Applied Natural Resource Management are as follows:

1. National Senior Certificate (NSC) (or equivalent):

• Minimum NSC requirements for diploma entry must be met
• Minimum APS score of 30 with Mathematics or Technical Mathematics, or 31 with Mathematical Literacy
• English language (first or additional language) at level 4 (50-59%)
• Mathematics or Technical Mathematics level 3 (40-49%) or Mathematical Literacy level 4 (50-59%)
• Other recommended subjects:
  • Life sciences
  • Agricultural Sciences or Agricultural Management Practices
  • Geography
  • Computer Application Technology or Information Technology
  • Business Studies or Economics

2. National Certificate Vocational level 4

• Minimum requirements for diploma entry must be met
• NC(V) level 4 in Primary Agriculture with English (home language or first additional language)  (50-59%).
• Mathematics or Technical Mathematics (40-49%) or Mathematical Literacy (50-59%).

• Applicants who do not meet either 1 or 2 above, but who have successfully completed an NQF level 5 or 6 certificate in natural resource management, nature conservation or related subjects will be considered.  A decision to admit an applicant will be based on results from school and for the certificate programme, and may include RPL.
• In accordance with National and SAWC Policies, RPL and CAT may be used for admission and horizontal and vertical articulation purposes.
• Applicants without a school leaving NQF level 4 pass in Computer Application Technology, Information Technology or equivalent must provide proof of computer and IT proficiency, which may take the form of the ICDL or equivalent, or the National Benchmark Tests (NBTs).
• All students for whom English is not a first/home language or have not passed English (home language or 1st additional language) at NSC Grade 12, AS-level, IGCSE, NSSC level or equivalent secondary school-leaving qualification, must provide proof of English language proficiency.

These will be confirmed by the end of August 2025. It is likely that the academic year will begin in the first week of February and end in the first week of December. Prospective students should plan for this.

The fees shown/highlighted below are for the cohort of students who will enrol as 1^st year students in 2026.

Please Note:

1. Fees include all teaching and learning materials, as well as accommodation and meals while on campus in 1st and 2nd year for exams and the practical block. 
2. The fee for 3^rd year may vary depending on where the student completes the PJBWIL. The fee indicated includes accommodation and meals when on site at the SAWC Campus.
3. Fees exclude transport to and from the College.
4. Students are responsible for their own medical insurance.
5. Students are also responsible for meeting their own visa requirements/costs if living outside of South African borders.

The application process will be online through the online application form. 

The number of available places in the 1^st year of the Diploma is limited.

It is very likely that we will not be able to accept all applicants who meet the minimum admission requirements. This means that just meeting the minimum admission requirements will NOT guarantee you a place in the Diploma programme.

Incomplete applications will be returned. You are thus strongly encouraged to ensure that your application is complete before submission thereof.

Please note that bursaries will only be made for 1st and 2nd year Diploma students under exceptional circumstances, and this only for students who already have experience in the conservation sector and where a motivation is provided both by the student and the organisation.

Students in need of financial support to complete their 3rd year of study on the Diploma programme, will be able to apply for financial assistance from the SAWC by filling in the Application for Financial Assistance form.

The SAWC will endeavour to make the allocation of any available bursary funding as fair as possible. It is however important to note that bursaries are funding dependent and the College reserves the right not to award bursaries for specific courses/programmes.

The Southern African Wildlife College offers the Advanced Certificate in Nature Conservation: Trans- Frontier Conservation Management as a training intervention aimed at the development of Nature Conservation managers within the Southern African Development Countries (SADC) region.