Faculty of Engineering

Stellenbosch University South Africa

Introduction

The Faculty of Engineering at Stellenbosch University  is one of South Africa's major producers of top quality engineers. Established in 1944, it currently has five Engineering Departments, namely:

 Civil Engineering

 Electrical and Electronic Engineering (degrees in E&E Engineering and E&E Engineering with Computer Science)

 Industrial Engineering

 Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering (degrees in Mechanical or Mechatronic Engineering)

 Process Engineering (Chemical Engineering degree with elective modules in Mineral Processing)

The Faculty is housed in a large complex of buildings with modern facilities. It has excellent teaching and research laboratories and an extensive support infrastructure. The Faculty has approximately 1 900 students, of whom about one third are postgraduate students.

Engineering degrees awarded at Stellenbosch University
The Faculty Calendar

contains detailed information on degree programmes and their requirements.

Undergraduate studies

BEng: Bachelor of Engineering

This four-year degree programme is a basic qualification in Engineering which equips the engineer with broad training. Please note: the Bachelor of Engineering degree is the ONLY qualification that qualifies a student to apply for registration as a professional engineer.

Postgraduate studies

PDE: Postgraduate Diploma in Engineering

This is a one-year postgraduate diploma for BSc or BTech graduates, or students who have a Bachelor's degree in a discipline other than the one they want to pursue on a postgraduate level. It can also be followed by Engineering graduates. This one-year programme is offered in the fields of Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Mineral Engineering. The aims of the PDE are to prepare students for further postgraduate studies in Engineering or to enable them to convert to a Master's programme.

Master's Programmes

The Faculty offers Master's Programmes in Engineering that lead to the qualifications Master of Science in Engineering (MScEng) and Master of Engineering (MEng) in the following fields: Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Extractive Mineral Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Mechatronic Engineering.

MScEng: Master of Science in Engineering 

The MScEng programme (240 credits) is an in-depth study that exceeds the BEng, BScHons, BEngSci or PDE. It is a research Master's degree with a thesis (minimum 160 credits) as requirement for graduation. Students may be required to complete a number of supplementary modules that are prescribed as necessary, according to the nature of their thesis. Depending on the department concerned, these modules may contribute up to 80 credits of the 240 credits required. In certain departments, a thesis alone is accepted.

MEng: Master of Engineering

The MEng programme (180 credits) succeeds the BEng, PDE, BScHons or BEngSci. It is a lectured programme compiled from a number of prescribed modules (minimum 120 credits) according to each department's requirements and an assignment (maximum 60 credits).

PhD: Doctor of Philosophy

Before being awarded a PhD degree, the candidate should show proof of original research, which contributes to knowledge in the engineering profession. This research is presented in the form of a dissertation. PhD programmes are offered in the following fields: Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Extractive Metallurgical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Mechatronic Engineering.

DEng: Doctor of Engineering

The DEng may be awarded to persons whose total body of research may be regarded as making an extraordinary contribution towards engineering as a whole.

Recognition of degrees
The four-year BEng degree is accredited by the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA).  According to the conditions of the Washington Accord, through the Engineering Council of South Africa, the BEng is also recognized in those countries signatory to the Accord, i.e. Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

In addition, Stellenbosch University's engineering degrees generally provide direct admission to postgraduate study programmes in Engineering at international universities.

Research
The Faculty of Engineering is at the forefront of basic and applied research, and enjoys international recognition for its work. By focusing on cutting-edge and inter-disciplinary research, the Faculty is experiencing strong growth in its research and postgraduate programmes. It has a long tradition of close cooperation with industry. Both contract research and consultation for industry are facilitated by various internal organisations. These include:

·                     Centre for Process Engineering

·                     Centre for Electrical and Electronic Engineering

·                     Centre for Civil Engineering

·                     Institute for Thermodynamics and Mechanics

·                     Institute for Industrial Engineering.

Research activities are supported by excellent staff, as well as world-class experimental laboratories, computational facilities and research infrastructure. We are fortunate in attracting students of the highest calibre. Postgraduate students can expect to be supervised by top-notch researchers and academics who share their knowledge in a collegial environment. 

Our faculty is research-intensive and is one of the largest contributors to the research income of Stellenbosch University.

The historic, picturesque town of Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch  is a vibrant university town with a rich history. It is South Africa's second oldest town after Cape Town, and was founded in 1679. The town has approximately 170 000 inhabitants. The picturesque town has oak tree-lined streets and is surrounded by majestic mountains and vineyards. The Stellenbosch wine region is one of the oldest in the Southern Hemisphere. Stellenbosch is situated about 60 km from Cape Town, which allows students to have the best of both worlds: a small-town atmosphere, less than an hour's drive from the exciting, vibrant and cosmopolitan city of Cape Town. For the nature lover there are hiking and biking trails, as well as rock climbing in the surrounding mountains. With the sea only 30 kilometres away, those who enjoy beautiful beaches, swimming, surfing, diving and other water sports, will be in their element!

Student life
The town of Stellenbosch and the University offer students a wide range of opportunities and excellent facilities for nearly all types of sport, cultural activities and student fun.

International students

The International Office at Stellenbosch University can assist all non-South African students.

General Enquiries

Please contact the Faculty Secretary, Mr Minnaar Pienaar

Telephone: +27 21 808 4835 Fax: +27 21 808 4576

E-Mail: mop@sun.ac.za

Engineer your future! Study Engineering at Stellenbosch University.