Bachelor of Engineering (BIng) at University of Northwest

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