Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering applies scientific principles to design, develop, construct, install, operate and maintain engines, energy harnessing equipment and machines in all industries.
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.