Civil Engineering

Civil Engineering is the practice of improving and maintaining the built environment to enhance the quality of life for present and future generations.

Overview

Civil engineers primarily plan, design, construct, operate and maintain physical infrastructure, including water and waste management facilities, transportation and communications infrastructure and structures and public buildings. This infrastructure supports people’s basic needs, while enabling and driving economic development.

In the first two years of study, students develop competencies in mathematics, natural sciences, computing and complementary studies. In the third and fourth years, students develop competencies in engineering design and synthesis through courses in Geotechnical Engineering, Hydrology, Hydraulics, Transportation Engineering, Structural Engineering and Construction Materials.

Career Opportunities

  • Bridge Engineer
  • Earthquake Design Engineer
  • Consulting Engineer
  • Construction Manager
  • Environmental Engineer
  • Geotechnical Engineer
  • Hydrologist
  • Structural Engineer
  • Water Resource Manager 

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
  • Vacation Work (Civil) 
Second-year
  • Materials and Structures I AND II
  • Numerical Methods
  • Probability Theory and Mathematical Statistics for Engineers
  • Introduction to Environmental Engineering
  • Engineering Computing
  • Engineering Economics and Infrastructure Planning
  • Geology for Civil Engineers
  • Mathematics II
  • Engineering Surveying
  • Practical Training (Civil) 
Third-year
  • Construction Materials I
  • Geotechnical Engineering I
  • Structural Steel Design
  • Reinforced Concrete Design
  • Hydrology
  • Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics
  • Structural Analysis I AND II
  • Systems Analysis and Optimisation
  • Transport Engineering 
Fourth-year
  • Construction Materials II
  • Geotechnical Engineering II
  • Investigational Project
  • Integrated Resource Management
  • Hydraulic Engineering
  • Structural Engineering
  • Civil Engineering Design

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.