Mechanical Engineering - Wits University

Overview

Design, develop and manufacture machines and component systems.

Mechanical engineers work in the most important sectors of the economy, including manufacturing, mining, power generation and transportation.

The Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Mechanical Engineering is a 4-year full-time programme. The curriculum is structured to supply a solid grounding in fundamental engineering science, with an emphasis on developing generalised problem-solving skills.

The first two years of study are common to each of the three branches in the School - Mechanical, Industrial and Aeronautical. There is no difficulty in your changing between these branches during this time. From the third year of study, the courses focus on the study of mechanical engineering systems, reflected in courses such as fluid dynamics, system response and control, stress analysis, mechanics of machines, heat transfer, and thermodynamics.

Mechanical engineers work in the most important sectors of the economy, including manufacturing, mining, power generation, and transportation.

Career Opportunities

Energy Engineer
Mechanical Design and Development Engineer
Manufacturing Engineer Systems Engineer
Production Engineer
Technical Marketing Manager
Transport Engineer

Curriculum

A common first-year programme was introduced from 2019 across all professional engineering disciplines.

The academic curriculum is regularly modernised in order to ensure that it meets the highest professional and academic standards and that it simultaneously remains locally relevant and applicable.

Many engineering students entering the engineering programmes have limited knowledge of the different branches of engineering and only gain the knowledge to make an informed choice of the programme during their first year.

A first-year curriculum that is identical for all programmes allows students to amend their choice at the end of the first year.

First-year

Engineering Chemistry
Introduction to the Engineering Profession
Engineering Analysis and Design IA AND IB
Engineering Mathematics IA AND IB
Engineering Physics IA AND IB
Applied Physics I

AND, one of the following courses:

Elementary IsiZulu Language and Culture IA
Elementary Sesotho Language and Culture IA
The International Relations of South Africa and Africa
Introduction to Political Studies
Southern Africa in the Era of Globalisation
Identity and Society
Introduction to Ethics I
Introduction to Philosophy: Knowledge and Reality
Global Encounters and Contemporary Realities IA

Second-year

Electrical Engineering
Mathematics II
Mechanical Engineering Laboratory I
Introduction to Materials Science and Engineering
Applied Mechanics A AND B
Computing Skills and Software Development
Engineering Design
Machine Elements
Fluid Mechanics I
Engineering Thermodynamics I

Third-year

Mathematical Methods
Mechanical Engineering Investigation
Mechanics of Solids I
Mechatronics I
Business Management
Manufacturing Processes
Mechanical Engineering Design
Mechanical Vibrations
Engineering in its Social Context
Numerical Methods and Statistics
Incompressible Flows
Fundamentals of Heat Transfer
Vacation Work I (Mechanical)

Fourth-year

Design Project
Research Project
Systems Management and Integration
Mechanics of Solids II
Mechatronics II
Compressible Flows
Energy Conversion and Utilisation Systems
Engineering Professional Activity
Selected Topics in Social Science
Vacation Work II (Mechanical)

Entry Requirements

APS 42+

English Home Language OR First Additional Language
Level 5

Mathematics
Level 5

Physical Sciences
Level 5

Wait-listing

Applicants with English, Mathematics and Physical Sciences at Level 5 will be wait-listed, subject to place availability. Generally, applicants who achieve Level 6 in English, Mathematics and Physical Sciences stand a greater chance of being accepted.

University Application Process

The Student Enrolment Centre at Wits handles all student applications.
Please click here for an overview of the application process.
Check the admission requirements for your degree. Check if any additional selection requirements apply.
Submit your application, required documentation and application fee before the closing date.
Once you have applied, an admissions consultant will be assigned to your application.
Applicants can monitor the progress of their applications via the Self Service Portal.
If you are an international applicant and/or have a foreign qualification, please click here.

Compliance with the minimum requirements does not guarantee a place at the University. The University has a specific number of places for first year undergraduates, approved by the Department of Higher Education and Training. Final selection is made subject to the availability of places, academic results and other entry requirements where applicable.

University Fees and Funding

Click here to see the current average tuition fees for the first year of study. The Fees website also provides information about the payment of fees and closing dates for fees payments. Once you have applied you will be able to access the fees estimator on the student self-service portal.

The Financial aid office provides information on student funding and scholarships. University-funded Scholarships include Vice-Chancellor's Scholarships, University Entrance Scholarships, Equality Scholarships, Sports Scholarships and National Olympiad winner awards. For information about NSFAS funding, please visit the NSFAS website. External bursaries portal: The Bursaries South Africa website provides a comprehensive list of bursaries in South Africa.

Wits Plus applicants: terms of payment are in accordance with University regulations, and students are not eligible for University bursaries/NSFAS or residential accommodation.