Information Engineering

The Information Engineering degree focuses on Software Engineering, Telecommunications and Computer Networking.

Overview

Plan, design and manage complex software systems.

In the first two years, you will focus on enhancing your capabilities in mathematics, physics and chemistry. At the beginning of the third year you can choose to continue with the Electrical Engineering degree or apply to change to the Information Engineering degree.

In the final year, you will study five complementary courses, including Engineering Design, Engineering Laboratory and Systems Management. You will also choose three elective courses, to specialise in either Electrical or Information Engineering. Engineering Design and Engineering Laboratory are project-based subjects in which you are required to submit a report for examination.

Career Opportunities

  • Computer Engineer
  • Information Engineer
  • Software Developer
  • Software Engineer
  • Software Project Manager
  • Software Systems Architect
  • Network Engineer
  • Telecommunications Engineer
  • Information Technology Consultant 

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
  • Data Structures and Algorithms
  • Electrical and Magnetic Systems
  • Software Development I
  • Signals and Systems I
  • Microprocessors
  • Electronics I
  • Electric Circuits
  • Mathematics II
  • Physics II (Electrical)
  • Vacation Work I (Electrical) 
Third-year

At the beginning of the third year, students can choose to continue with Electrical Engineering or register for Information Engineering.

  • Computational Mathematics
  • Electronics II
  • Probabilistic Systems Analysis
  • Software Development II
  • Signals and Systems IIA AND IIB
  • Data and Information Management
  • Control I
  • Electrical Engineering Design
  • Economics of Design
  • Communication Fundamentals
  • Vacation Work II (Electrical) 
Fourth-year
  • Measurement Systems
  • Information Engineering Design
  • Information Engineering Laboratory
  • Selected Topics in Sociology
  • Systems Management and Integration

AND, any three courses from the following:

  • Software Engineering
  • Software Development III
  • Control II
  • Network Fundamentals
  • Data Intensive Computing in Data Science
  • Full Stack Quantum Computing 

Entry Requirements

APS 42+

English Home Language OR First Additional Language
Level 5

Mathematics
Level 5

Physical Sciences
Level 5

Wait-listing

Waitlisting 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.