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These are the Best Engineering Schools in South Africa

Did you know that it is never too late to being your engineering studies? or any studies for that matter.

South Africa has many excellent universities, colleges, and technical schools that offer engineering programs. No matter your particular passion, there is a program for you. This guide highlights some of the best schools in the country and shares information on their program offerings, admission requirements, tuition fees, and contact information.

Engineering studies are often described as difficult and very demanding, which is the exact reason why an engineering degree is so rewarding. The rewards of which are enjoyed from the moment you pass your first year of study right through to (and beyond) retirement. See benefits of engineering as a career.

Engineers aren’t limited to desk jobs or laptops either. Engineering studies range from National Certificates to degrees and will include vocational training, refresher courses and in many cases internships and apprenticeships. Such opportunities are interesting, continuously changing and allow you to meat new and intelligent people, travel and push the limits of discovery and efficiency. You may learn the delicacies of the unique pairing of man and machine and just what can be made and accomplished.

Many professionals start off in an engineering related trade and progress to a university degree or two whilst others seek to master their trades as journeymen and can earn just as much. A top performing and suitably experienced industrial mechanic can expect to earn above R700,000 per year. It is also not uncommon to earn  upwards of R300,000 in the first five years of some trade disciplines.

Top South African Universities

  1. University of Cape Town
  • Program Offerings: Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and more.
  • Admission Requirements: Minimum of 70% in Mathematics and Physical Science at the NSC level or equivalent.
  • Tuition Fees: R51,360 – R94,580 per year (depending on the program)
  • Contact Information: Website: www.uct.ac.za, Phone: +27 21 650 9111
  1. University of Pretoria
  • Program Offerings: Civil Engineering, Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering, and more.
  • Admission Requirements: Minimum of 60% in Mathematics and Physical Science at the NSC level or equivalent.
  • Tuition Fees: R38,910 – R57,870 per year (depending on the program)
  • Contact Information: Website: www.up.ac.za, Phone: +27 12 420 4111
  1. University of the Witwatersrand
  • Program Offerings: Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Electrical and Information Engineering, Mechanical, Industrial and Aeronautical Engineering, and more.
  • Admission Requirements: Minimum of 60% in Mathematics and Physical Science at the NSC level or equivalent.
  • Tuition Fees: R47,720 – R67,470 per year (depending on the program)
  • Contact Information: Website: www.wits.ac.za, Phone: +27 11 717 1000

Technical Universities

  1. Cape Peninsula University of Technology
  • Program Offerings: Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and more.
  • Admission Requirements: National Senior Certificate (NSC) with a minimum of 50% in Mathematics and Physical Science.
  • Tuition Fees: R32,700 – R51,200 per year (depending on the program)
  • Contact Information: Website: www.cput.ac.za, Phone: +27 21 959 6911

  1. Durban University of Technology

  • Program Offerings: Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and more.
  • Admission Requirements: National Senior Certificate (NSC) with a minimum of 50% in Mathematics and Physical Science.
  • Tuition Fees: R27,230 – R41,330 per year (depending on the program)
  • Contact Information: Website: www.dut.ac.za, Phone: +27 31 373 2000

  1. Tshwane University of Technology

  • Program Offerings: Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and more.
  • Admission Requirements: National Senior Certificate (NSC) with a minimum of 50% in Mathematics and Physical Science.
  • Tuition Fees: R30,480 – R44,180 per year (depending on the program)
  • Contact Information: Website: www.tut.ac.za, Phone: +27 12 382 5911

TVET and FET Colleges

Top performing Colleges in SA:

  • Typical Admission Requirements: National Senior Certificate (NSC) or Senior Certificate with endorsement, pass in Mathematics and Physical Science, and an interview
  • Tuition Fees: The tuition fees for the engineering programs range from R9,500 to R20,000 per year
  1. False Bay College
  • Location: Cape Town
  • Program Offerings: Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and more
  • Contact Information: Website: https://www.falsebaycollege.co.za/, Phone: +27 21 787 0800

  1. Ekurhuleni West TVET College

  • Location: Germiston
  • Program Offerings: Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and more
  • Contact Information: Website: https://www.ewc.edu.za/, Phone: +27 11 876 6950

  1. South Cape TVET College

  • Location: George
  • Program Offerings: Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and more
  • Contact Information: Website: https://www.sccollege.co.za/, Phone: +27 44 884 0359

  1. Tshwane North TVET College

  • Location: Pretoria
  • Program Offerings: Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and more
  • Contact Information: Website: https://www.tnc.edu.za/, Phone: +27 12 401 5000

  1. West Coast College

  • Location: Malmesbury
  • Program Offerings: Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and more
  • Contact Information: Website: https://www.westcoastcollege.co.za/, Phone: +27 22 482 1143

  1. Orbit TVET College

  • Location: Rustenburg
  • Program Offerings: Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and more
  • Contact Information: Website: https://www.orbitcollege.co.za/, Phone: +27 14 597 1800

  1. Buffalo City TVET College

  • Location: East London
  • Program Offerings: Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and more
  • Contact Information: Website: https://www.bccollege.co.za/, Phone: +27 43 704 9263

These TVET and FET colleges offer a range of engineering programs and courses that are designed to equip students with the practical skills and knowledge they need to pursue a career in engineering or related fields. The programs are usually more affordable than university programs, making them an accessible option for many students.

Technical High Schools

  1. Stellenberg High School
  • Location: Cape Town
  • Program Offerings: Engineering Graphics and Design, Mechanical Technology, Electrical Technology, Civil Technology
  • Contact Information: Website: https://www.stellenberg.co.za/, Phone: +27 21 919 1014
  1. Pretoria Boys High School
  • Location: Pretoria
  • Program Offerings: Engineering Graphics and Design, Mechanical Technology, Electrical Technology, Civil Technology
  • Contact Information: Website: https://www.boyshigh.com/, Phone: +27 12 460 2246
  1. Hoërskool Waterkloof
  • Location: Pretoria
  • Program Offerings: Engineering Graphics and Design, Mechanical Technology, Electrical Technology, Civil Technology
  • Contact Information: Website: https://www.hsw.co.za/, Phone: +27 12 460 2221
  1. Curro Academy Pretoria
  1. Grey High School
  • Location: Port Elizabeth
  • Program Offerings: Engineering Graphics and Design, Mechanical Technology, Electrical Technology, Civil Technology
  • Contact Information: Website: https://www.greyhighschool.com/, Phone: +27 41 374 2000
  1. Kingswood College
  • Location: Grahamstown
  • Program Offerings: Engineering Graphics and Design, Mechanical Technology, Electrical Technology, Civil Technology
  • Contact Information: Website: https://www.kingswoodcollege.com/, Phone: +27 46 603 2000
  1. The Wykeham Collegiate
  • Location: Pietermaritzburg
  • Program Offerings: Engineering Graphics and Design, Mechanical Technology, Electrical Technology, Civil Technology
  • Contact Information: Website: https://www.twc.org.za/, Phone: +27 33 342 0752

It’s worth noting that some technical high schools in South Africa may only offer specific engineering-related subjects rather than comprehensive engineering programs. This can include traditional high schools in SA. However, these schools provide a solid foundation for students who are interested in pursuing engineering careers or further studies in engineering at university.

These are just a few of the many great learning institutes in South Africa that offer engineering studies. By choosing one of these schools, you’ll be well on your way to a rewarding career in engineering. Many of the schools on this list have contributed to the success of many great South African Engineers:

  1. Elon Musk – graduated from Pretoria Boys High School in Pretoria, South Africa
  2. Siyabulela Xuza – graduated from the South African College High School in Cape Town, South Africa
  3. Louis Jacobson – graduated from the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa
  4. Hlumelo Biko – graduated from St. Johns College in Johannesburg, South Africa
  5. Precious Sithole – graduated from the University of Cape Town in Cape Town, South Africa
  6. Rian Visser – graduated from the University of Pretoria in Pretoria, South Africa
  7. Mamokgethi Phakeng – graduated from the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa
  8. Sibusiso Vilane – graduated from the Durban University of Technology in Durban, South Africa

And for a little boost, here are a few Nobel prize winners from just a single one of SA’s top universities:

WITS has four Nobel Prize Winners: Nelson Mandela (Peace), Sydney Brenner (Medicine), Nadine Gordimer (Literature) and Aaron Klug (Chemistry).

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