How to become an Engineer?
To become an engineer, you will need to study a degree in engineering at university or a diploma at a university of technology. You can choose from the following types: civil, chemical, computer, electrical, electronic, mechanical, industrial, mining, aeronautical, and others.
What subjects do I need at school?
Compulsory Subjects: Mathematics and Physical Science
Recommended Subjects:Engineering Design (EGD)
Where can I study?
For degree studies you can study at any of the following:
For diploma studies you can study at any of the following:
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Tshwane University of Technology
Central University of Technology
What levels of engineer is the difference between a degree and a diploma?
At a professional level, there are three different categories of engineers recognised by the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA): professional engineers, professional engineering technologists and engineering technicians and artisans. Graduate engineers are educated at universities while technicians and technologists study at universities of technology. Engineering technicians and artisans may study at a TVET College.
A degree is more theoretical and takes longer to complete (4 years). A diploma is more practical and applied to the workplace. It takes 3 years to complete one year of which is practical year. Generally speaking, a diploma will allow you to get employment quicker but a degree will allow you to rise higher in an organisation.
Note: The National Diploma in engineering programmes is being phased out to introduce new three-year Bachelor of Engineering Technology degrees. The National Diploma programmes in Civil, Electrical, Industrial and Mechanical engineering, which will all be replaced with the BEngTech programmes. The new degree programmes were endorsed by the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), approved by the Council for Higher Education (CHE) and registered by the South African Quality Authority (SAQA).
Will I make a good engineer?
- Are you interested in building or making things?
- Are you interested in how things work?
- Are you creative?
- Would you like to make solutions to practical problems?
- They are you a logical thinker?
- Do you find yourself imagining about things you would like to build or make?
- Are you good at Mathematics?
- Do you like Physical Science?
If you answered yes to most of these questions then you would probably make a good engineer. What kind of Engineer would you want to become?
Agricultural Engineer read more
Agricultural engineers, also sometimes known as natural resource engineers, apply engineering principles of science and technology, as well as knowledge of agricultural practices, to solve problems relating to sustainable agricultural production, the environmental impacts of intensive agriculture and the post-harvest handling of agricultural products. They manage living things and life-giving resources in such a way as to protect and preserve them by using mechanical, civil and electronic engineering skills.
Biomedical Engineer read more
Biomedical engineers design and develop medical instruments and devices such as heart-lung machines, iron lungs, artificial kidney machines, realistic artificial limbs and organs such as heart valves and hips, pacemakers and monitoring devices. They also adapt computers to be of service to medicine. Research ranges from the study of the engineering aspects of human biological systems to the improvement of existing medical devices. They design and develop equipment for medical imaging to display anatomical detail or physiological function. They may arrange testing to ensure the continuing safety of electronic, electrical and mechanical equipment used for diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of patients.
Civil Engineer read more
Civil engineers are responsible for the planning, designing, maintenance and management of projects to do with the construction of roads, buildings, airports, tunnels, dams, bridges, and water supply and sewage systems. Civil engineering may be the oldest of the all the engineering disciplines and today, civil engineering encompasses a range of specialized fields which include structural design, marine, environmental, construction, hydraulic engineering, transportation, and geotechnical engineering.
Computer Software Engineer read more
Computer software engineers apply the principles and techniques of computer programming, engineering, and mathematical analysis to the design, development, testing and evaluation of the software and systems that enable computers to perform their many applications. This is basically an Electronics Engineering qualification with more software subjects and less engineering subjects.
Electrical Engineer read more
Electrical engineering is often associated with power generation and distribution of power. Power generation involves the generation of electrical power from a variety of sources: hydro-electrical, thermal coal power, nuclear, as well as renewable sources of power such as solar and wind power. Read more ..
Electronic Engineer read more
Electronics engineering is concerned with the generation, transmission and processing of information and includes computers, software, transmission networks, telephones, radio, television, signal processing and optics.
Energy Engineer read more
An energy engineer is involved with the production of energy from natural resources, such as the extraction of oil and gas, as well as from renewable or sustainable sources of energy, including biofuels, hydro-, wind and solar power. Energy engineers are focused on finding efficient, clean and innovative ways to supply energy.
Environmental Engineer read more
Environmental engineers are concerned with assessing and managing the effects of human and other activity on the natural and built environment. They apply their engineering knowledge and skills to such things as environmental impact assessment, natural resources management and pollution control.
Mechanical Engineer read more
Mechanical engineers research, develop, design, manufacture and maintain machines, machine components and systems in various fields of application. They work on power-producing machines such as generators, engines and steam and gas turbines. They also work on power-using machines such as refrigeration and air-conditioners, robots used in manufacturing, elevators and escalators, and industrial production equipment.
Mechatronic Engineer read more
Mechatronic engineers research, design, develop and maintain machinery with electronic and computer control systems, such as aircraft, robots, motor vehicles, cameras, power generators and mining and chemical plant machinery. They also test automation, intelligent systems, smart devices or industrial systems control.
Metallurgical Engineer read more
Metallurgy is the art of extracting metals from ore and forms an essential part of the mining effort. Metallurgical engineers play an important role in the development of metalliferous minerals used daily in many products such as alarms, kettles, cars, etc. The metallurgical engineer works with metals and alloys in the development, production and manufacturing of metal items and structures that range from tiny precision-made components to huge heavy engineering parts.
Mining Engineer read more
Mining engineers are responsible for the effective, safe and profitable operation of mining undertakings. They are mining experts and engineers and have a background in geology as well as civil, mechanical and electrical engineering.
Nanoscientist or Nanosystems Engineer read more
Nanoscientists design, develop and supervise the production of materials, devices and systems of unique molecular or macromolecular composition, applying principles of nanoscale physics and electrical, chemical and biological engineering.
Nuclear Engineer read more
Nuclear engineers study the energy released when the atomic core is split. Some high technology weapons and medical breakthroughs exist as a result of nuclear energy. They are responsible for the use and control of the energy and the accompanying radiation that result from a nuclear reaction. They also generate, use and maintain nuclear energy.
Photonics Engineer read more
Photonics engineers develop the tools and technical applications of light. The science of photonics is the generation, transmission, modulation and detection of light. Photonics engineers are concerned with devising and improving sources of light and the optical fibres through which the light travels. They need to have a thorough knowledge of physics, engineering and optics.
Solar Power Engineer read more
Solar power engineers focus on converting natural energy iinto practical uses by studying the motion of gases, liquids and solids, and the effect that heating and cooling have on these substances. This is a very important career in this time of acute energy shortages.
Telecommunications Engineer read more
Telecommunications engineers are responsible for the continual and rapid development in the science and methods of telecommunications; the general and basic planning of future expansion; the design and planning of automatic exchanges, carrier systems, telex systems, coaxial cable systems, microwave radio systems; optical fibre systems and videotext systems.