A Bachelor of Engineering is the first professional undergraduate academic degree awarded to a student after three to five years of studying engineering at an accredited university.
Admission Requirement
NS(C) with full matriculation exemption
Mathematics level 6
Physical Sciences level 6
Home OR First Additional Language at least Level 5
Additional entry route: students with 50% in both Mathematics AND Physical Sciences may have the opportunity to write a test as an additional point of entry or enroll in the Xcel bridging program.
DURATION: 4 years
Field
Chemical Engineering
Chemical Engineering with Mineral Processing
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Computer and Electronic Engineering
Electromechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Industrial Engineering
Mechatronic Engineering
Possible Career Opportunities
Chemical Engineering and Chemical Engineering with Minerals Processing
Chemical Engineers are involved in the research, design, development, and management of industrial processes where raw materials are converted to products with higher economic value. For instance, turn corn to cornflakes, hops to beer, coal to petrol, and algae to electricity.
The chemical industry is one of the greatest gross domestic product contributors in South Africa.
Chemical engineering is one of the top 10 scarce skills in South Africa.
Minerals Processing is a specialist field in Chemical Engineering and deals with the physical and chemical processes used especially to extract metals from ores. The chemical industry is one of the greatest gross domestic product contributors in South Africa.
Chemical engineering is one of the top 10 scarce skills in South Africa.
Chemical manufacturers and other industries, such as petroleum refining, synthetic fuel manufacture, food processing, brewing, minerals processing, paper and pulp, pollution control, manufacture of synthetic fibers, fertilizers, and explosives
Consulting firms
Government departments
Universities
Electrical and Electronic Engineers enable the modern world by moving electrical energy from the source to the point of application.
They do this as efficiently as possible, by applying their knowledge of power systems, power conversion, power conditioning, and electrical machines.
Training provided by leading experts in power quality, power electronics, and electrical machines, sets NWU Electrical and Electronic Engineers apart in the industry.
Our engineers thrive in power utilities and electrical consulting industries and relate well to the challenges of utilizing renewable energy sources as part of the energy solution of the future.
Electrical and Electronic engineering is the number one scarce skill in South Africa.
Your options as an electrical, electronic, or computer engineer in South Africa and abroad are:
Telecommunications
Energy and electric power
Semiconductors
Aerospace
Bio-engineering
Manufacturing
Education and research
Transportation
Automotive
Computer and electronic engineers make the world a more efficient place by connecting humans and the world we live in, to the digital world of computer systems and the internet. They do this by using electronics, embedded computers, and the skill of programming to control mechatronic systems and to build the internet.
Computer and electronic engineering is the number one scarce skill in South Africa.
As a computer and electronic engineer, you will have great employment prospects in South Africa and abroad. Industries include:
Telecommunications
Energy and electric power
Semiconductors
Aerospace
Bio-engineering
Manufacturing
Education and research
Transportation
Automotive
Electromechanical engineers ensure the safe and efficient operations of plants and factories by combining elements of electrical and mechanical engineering. Their knowledge of electrical machines, power electronics, the strength of materials and heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems, together with legal knowledge with respect to occupational health and safety make them invaluable to the industry.
Electromechanical engineering is under the top 10 scarce skills in South Africa.
Any mine or manufacturer in South Africa and abroad will greatly benefit from your skills.
Mechanical Engineers are involved with the development, manufacturing, management, and maintenance of transport, energy conversion, manufacturing, generator, weapon and cooling, and heating systems, as well as industrial installations, process equipment, manufacturing machinery, and mining equipment. (Nuclear Engineers (post-grad studies) design systems that utilize nuclear processes for energy.)
Mechanical and nuclear engineering is under the top 3 scarce skills in South Africa.
As a mechanical engineer you will work in South Africa or abroad in the following industries:
Manufacturing
Aerodynamics
Energy technology
Power generation
System maintenance
Robotics
Plant layout and management
Food processing plants
Industrial Engineers enable people, technology, information, materials, methods, and money to work together productively and effectively.
Industrial Engineering originated more than a century ago from the industrial revolution when industries started to search for the best, cheapest, and fastest way to manufacture products.
However, today it is imperative to employ Industrial Engineers in various industries due to advancements in technology and the current demand of the marketplace. Industrial engineering is under the top 10 scarce skills in South Africa.
As an industrial engineer you will work in South Africa or abroad in the following industries:
Manufacturing, mining, and energy
Food and beverages
IT and telecommunications
Logistics and supply chain
Aerospace and aviation
Healthcare
Banking and finance
Agriculture
Consulting
Mechatronic Engineers develop and support the advanced industrial automation systems of the future that make use of the internet of things.
They accomplish this by combining knowledge of electronics, measurement and actuation, embedded systems, and control theory to control mechanical structures and mechanisms.
Their knowledge of computer programming and data analytics allows them to develop intelligent and effective mechatronic systems.
Mechatronic Engineers will find employment in:
The process controls
Automotive
Manufacturing
Medical device development
Agricultural processing environments
The North-West University offers hands-on practical experience in on-campus laboratories for electronics and industrial automation.
Which engineering has the highest salary in South Africa?
Environmental Engineer. Average salary -R714,500 per year.
Biomedical Engineer. Average salary -R685,824 per year.
Aerospace Engineer. Average salary -R644,653 per year.
Chemical Engineer. Average salary -R606, 862 per year
Nuclear Engineer. Average salary -R588,452 per year
Mechanical Engineer. Average salary -R566,574 per year
Civil Engineer. Average salary -R547,665 per year
Agricultural Engineer. Average salary -R531,666 per year
Biomechanical Engineer Average salary -R522,667 per year