Vaal University Of Technology Civil Engineering Courses, The purpose of the qualification National Diploma: Engineering: Civil is to develop the necessary knowledge, understanding and skills required for the student’s further learning towards becoming a competent practicing Civil Engineering Technician. It is intended to subsequently empower candidate Engineering Technicians to demonstrate that they are capable of applying their acquired knowledge, understanding, skills, attitudes and values in the work environment in South Africa. It is designed also to add value to the qualifying student in terms of enrichment of the person, status and recognition.
Fields of study includes but is not limited to transportation, water structural, geotechnical, construction management and urban engineering.
Civil Engineering Technicians could be involved with construction projects such as reinforced concrete, structural steel, timber and masonry structures, roads, bridges, dams, canals, pipelines, water purification, sewage treatment, airports, railways, harbours, housing and services.
Career Opportunities
There is ample opportunity to attain job satisfaction and attractive financial rewards. Some past students from this department have senior positions at consulting engineering firms, construction companies, government bodies, local authorities and industry.
The following selections of careers are available:
Design Draughtsman, Project Official, Site Agent, Municipal Technician, Engineering Surveyor, Quantity Technician, Designer, Laboratory Technician, Contract Manager, Project Planner, Estimator, Quality Controller or a Geo-technician.
Civil Engineering
Department: Civil Engineering and Building
Faculty: Engineering and Technology Diploma: Engineering: Civil, B Tech: Engineering Civil,
M Tech: Engineering Civil, MEng: Engineering Civil and D Tech: Engineering Civil
Hierarchy of Qualifications
The Diploma is the first level of qualification, beyond that, the following qualification hierarchy exists.
Baccalaureus Technologiae (B Tech) Advanced Diploma
Postgraduate Diploma
Magister Technologiae (M Tech)/ Masters of Engineering (MEng) Doctor of Engineering in Civil Engineering (DEng)
1. Admission Requirements:
| Subjects | Diploma | |
| NSC Endorsements | Eligibility for Dip or B Tech Degree | |
| Compulsory SubjectsMathematics Physical Science EnglishTotal | 4443 x 4 = 12 | Note* 3 = 40-49%* 4 = 50-59%* 5 = 60-69%* 6 = 70-79%* 7 = 80-89%* 8 = 90-99% |
| Any other 4 subjects with a minimum of 3Total | 4 X 3 = 1224 | |
Applicants with a National Certificate (Vocational) at NQF Level 4
| National Certificate (Vocational) | Compulsory Subjects | Minimum | APS | %3 = 40 – 49% 4 = 50 – 59% 5 = 60 – 69 % 6 = 70 – 79 % 7 = 80 – 89 % 8 = 90 – 100% |
| English | 4 | |||
| Mathematics | 4 | |||
| Physical Sciences/ Applied Engineering Technology | 4 | |||
| Any other three vocational subjects | 5 x 3 | |||
| Total | 27 |
Applicants with a Senior Certificate
| SCNational Senior Certificate | Compulsory Subjects EnglishMathematics Physical ScienceAny THREE other subjects excluding Life OrientationTotal | Minimum 4443 X3 = 0921 | 3 = 40 – 49% 4 = 50 – 59% 5 = 60 – 69 % 6 = 70 – 79 % 7 = 80 – 89 %8 = 90 – 100% |
Note: Scholars who do not qualify for the Diploma Programmes may apply for the Extended programmes. Tel: (016) 950-9589. For details on the pre diploma programmes see VUT website www.vut.ac.za
- Programme Structure of the Diploma This is a 3 year Programme and consists of:
Five semester university attendance followed by one semester experiential training in industry.
2.1 University Attendance
All the subjects are compulsory.
Semester 1: Applied Communications Skills 1.1, Engineering Chemistry 1, Engineering Skills 1, ICT Skills I, Mathematics 1, Physics 1, Social Intelligence 1.
Semester 2: Applied Communications Skills 1.2, Computing Applications 2, Applied Mechanics 1, Engineering Chemistry 2, Engineering Drawing 1, Mathematics
2, Physics 2, Safety Principles and Law 1.
Semester 3
Applied Communication Skills 2.1, Construction Materials 1, Construction Methods 1, Engineering Drawing 2, Engineering Geology 1, Engineering Survey 1, Soil Mechanics 1, Theory of Structures 2.
Semester 4
Applied Communication Skills 2.2, Civil Engineering Management 1, Construction Materials 2, Elements of Structural Steel and Timber Design, Engineering Survey 2, Structural Analysis 3, Transportation Engineering 1, Water Engineering 1.
Semester 5:
Civil Engineering Management 2, Documentation 1, Elements of Reinforced Concrete Masonry Design, Fluid Mechanics 2 (Civil) Soil Mechanics 2, Structural Analysis 4, Transportation Engineering 2.
Semester 6: Experiential Learning 1 (Civil)
Baccalaureus Technologiae (B Tech) – Admission requirements
All applicants must have a Diploma or National Diploma with the proviso of a 60% performance in those diploma subjects that will carry forward into the B Tech qualification, including Work Integrated Learning.
SPECIALISATION FIELDS: Transportation, Water, Structural, Urban Engineering.
PROGRAMME DURATION: It is offered by means of part-time classes. Two subjects per semester. This programme will therefore take a minimum of two years to complete. ENTRANCE REQUIREMENT: National Diploma: Engineering: Civil.
ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS:
For candidates applying for admission into the Programme B Tech: Engineering: Civil (Transportation Engineering), the following conditions shall also apply:
Apart from meeting the above requirements, a candidate must obtained a 60% aggregate in a combination of ANY FOUR of the following subjects at the National Diploma: Engineering: Civil level: Transportation Engineering 2 and 3, Geotechnical Engineering 2, Surveying 2 and Documentation 3.
For candidates applying for admission into the Programme B Tech: Engineering: Civil (Structural Engineering), the following conditions shall also apply:
Apart from meeting the above requirements, a candidate must obtained a 60% aggregate in a combination of ANY FOUR of the following subjects at the Diploma: Engineering: Civil level: Structural Analysis 2 and 3, Structural Steel and Timber Design 3, Theory of Structures 2, and Reinforced Concrete and Masonry Design
For candidates applying for admission into the Programme B Tech: Engineering: Civil (Water Engineering), the following conditions shall also apply:
Apart from meeting the above requirements, a candidate must obtained a 60% aggregate in a combination of ANY FOUR of the following subjects at the Diploma: Engineering: Civil level: Applied Mechanics 1, Water Engineering 2 and 3, and Geotechnical Engineering 2 and 3.
For candidates applying for admission into the Programme B Tech: Engineering: Civil (Urban Engineering), the following conditions shall also apply:
Apart from meeting the above requirements, a candidate must obtained a 60% aggregate in a combination of ANY FOUR of the following subjects at the Diploma: Engineering: Civil level: Transportation Engineering 2 and 3, Water Engineering 2 and 3, and Documentation 3
NB: Candidates who do not meet the above requirements will need to apply through the RPL office by providing a portfolio of relevant post qualification work experience of not less than one year (excluding P1 and P2) in order to be considered for selection
It should be further noted that a submitted application does not guarantee entry into the Programme. Entry into the programme shall be based upon the applicant meeting the minimum entry requirements, the departmental/institutional Student Enrolment Plan (SEP) and availability of space.
All other equivalent qualifications will be treated ad hoc.
Magister Technologiae (M Tech: Engineering: Civil)
Entrance requirements: B Tech: Engineering: Civil or an NQF level 7 qualification in Civil Engineering (or related field) with an average of 60%. Holders of any other equivalent South African or foreign qualifications may also be considered based on the department’s assessment of these qualifications and the candidate’s suitability for admission into the programme. A SAQA evaluation certificate will be required to be submitted upon application for admission by candidates with foreign qualifications.
PROGRAMME DURATION: Minimum formal time is one year.
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE: This instructional programme comprises of a thesis only, provided that the learner has already passed an instructional offering in research methodology.
Masters of Engineering in Civil Engineering (MEng Civil)
Admission requirements: a BEng Degree or Equivalent level 8 qualification including the Postgraduate Diploma Duration of Programme: The equivalent of 1 year full-time study.
Programme Structure: This instructional programme comprises of a thesis only.
Doctor of Engineering in Civil Engineering: (DEng Civil) Admission requirements:
Magister Technologiae: Engineering: Civil or equivalent Ad hoc cases will be treated on merit.
Duration of the programme: At least two years full time research, concluded with a Doctoral Thesis
2.2 General Information
Each semester consists of approximately 16 weeks of tuition; each week consisting of lectures, tutorials and in some subjects practical work done in laboratories or on site. During this time the student’s progress is evaluated by means of tests and the presentation of projects and practical reports. At the end of each semester, final examinations are written over a 2 week period on all the work done during the semester.
Students can register as an Engineering Technician in Training with ECSA (The Engineering Council of South Africa), and once qualified, as a registered Engineering Technician. NB. The programmes offered by this department are fully accredited by ECSA.
3. Civil Engineering Fields
Transportation, Water, Structural, Geotechnical, Construction Management, Urban Engineering. Civil Engineering technicians could be involved with construction projects such as reinforced concrete, structural steel, timber and masonry structures, roads, bridges, dams, canals, pipelines, water purification, sewage treatment, airports, railways, harbours, housing and services.
4. Careers
The following selection of careers are available:
Design draughtsman, project official, site agent, municipal technician, engineering surveyor, quantity technician, designer, laboratory technician, contracts manager, project planner, estimator, quality controller, geotechnician.
- Career Opportunities
There is ample opportunity to attain job satisfaction and attractive financial rewards. Some past students from this department have senior positions at consulting engineering firms, construction companies, government bodies, local authorities and industry. This career is accessible to men and women of all races.
5. Enquiries
Enquiries may be addressed to: The Head of Department
Civil Engineering and Building – Block RE Building (3rd Floor)
Vaal University of Technology, Private Bag X021 VANDERBIJLPARK 1900
GET DETAILS ON UNIVERSITY APPLICATION IN SA