Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment

The study of engineering involves the conservation and development of the earth’s natural, agricultural and mineral resources in order to serve humanity’s needs. In addition, engineering plays a vital role in the survival of the South African and international economies. We often take for granted our roads, bridges, buildings, cars, aeroplanes, fuels, electricity, television and telephones, but none of these would be possible without engineers.

Degrees in the Built Environment address the social, spatial and infrastructural needs of a transforming South Africa. The delivery of affordable housing, the development of rural and urban environments, and meeting other social and physical challenges form the basis of the teaching, learning and research programmes that are offered by this particular Faculty.

Recently, our range of options has been increased to include information engineering and biomedical engineering (within Electrical Engineering), and environmental engineering (within Civil Engineering). The Faculty also maintains strong links with industry – via student bursaries, scholarships and internships – and has the highest number of endowed professorships or chairs at the University of the Witwatersrand. All of our first degrees are fully accredited by the Engineering Council of South Africa under the Washington Accord.  The BSc (Construction Management) is accredited by the South African Institute of Building and the Chartered Institute of Building, UK (CIOB). The BSc (Quantity Surveying) is accredited by the South African Council for the Quantity Surveying Profession and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), UK. The Bachelor of Architecture, and the Bachelor of Architectural Studies are accredited by the South African Council for the Architectural Professions, the Royal Institute of British Architects(RIBA) and the Commonwealth Association of Architects.

A wide range of qualifications is available. Applications are processed centrally at the Student Enrolment Centre and the Faculty is located on Wits’ West Campus, on the ground floor of Chamber of Mines Building.

Career opportunities for engineers are limitless, extending beyond the engineering sector.