Hierarchy of Qualifications 

Diploma in Mechanical Engineering

Baccalaureus Technologiae (B Tech) Advanced Diploma

Postgraduate Diploma

Magister Technologiae (M Tech)/ Masters of Engineering (MEng) Doctor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering (DEng)

1. Admission Requirements: 

Subjects	Diploma
NSC Endorsements	Eligibility for Dip or B Tech Degree
Compulsory Subjects   Mathematics Physical Science English Total	4 4 4 3 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 3   Total	4 X 3  = 12     24

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

SC National                  Senior Certificate

Compulsory Subjects English Mathematics Physical Science Any THREE other subjects excluding Life Orientation Total

Minimum 4 4 4   3 X3 = 09   21

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 diploma programmes. Tel: (016) 950-9589. For details on the pre diploma programmes see VUT website www.vut.ac.za

2. Programme Structure: Diploma Six semesters University

The Vaal University of Technology is not responsible for providing opportunities for work integrated learning but will assist students in obtaining such opportunities. This Department offers the following fields of study in this programme:

Design and Electromechanical. All students are required to complete at least one of the two streams. Note that the medium of instruction is English.

2.1  Curriculum

 Semester 1: Applied Communication Skills 1.1, Engineering Chemistry 1, Engineering Skills 1, ICT Skills 1, Mathematics 1, Physics 1, Social Intelligence 1

Semester 2: Applied Communication Skills 1.2, Computing Applications 2, Engineering Chemistry 2, Engineering Drawing 1, Mathematics 2, Physics 2, Safety Principles and Law 1

Semester 3: Mechanics 1, Project 1 (WIL Mechanical), Engineering Drawing 2, Mathematics 3, Applied Communication Skills 2.1, Mechanical Manufacturing

Engineering 1, Electrical Engineering 1

Semester 4: *Mechanical Engineering Design 2, *Mechanics of Machines 2, *Strength of Materials 2, *Fluid Mechanics 2 (Mechanics), *Thermodynamics 2,

*Project 2 (WIL Mechanical),* Applied Communication Skills 2.2, Computer Aided Draughting1

Semester 5: *Mechanics of Machines 3,*Strength of Materials 3, *Fluid Mechanics 3, *Thermodynamics 3, Mechanical Engineering Design 3, Manufacturing Engineering 2, Maintenance Engineering 1, *Project 3 (WIL Mechanical).

Semester 6: *Theory of Machines 3,*Applied Strength of Materials 3, *Hydraulic Machines 3, *Steam Plant 3, Machine Design 3, Maintenance Engineering 2, Modelling and Engineering Computation 2, *Experiential Learning 1 (Mechanical)

Baccalaureus Technologiae (B Tech) – Admission requirements 

All applicants must have a Diploma or National Diploma ;with proviso of a 60% performance in those diploma subjects that will carry forward into the B Tech qualification, including 12 months’ Work Integrated Learning where applicable.

*For the National Diploma, the following subjects shall be considered when calculating the required average: (i) Mathematics III, (ii) Hydraulic Machines III,

• Steam Plant III, (iv) Theory of Machines III, and (v) Applied strength of Materials

PROGRAMME DURATION: Minimum formal time is one-year full time or two years part-time. SUBJECTS

Option 1: Technology

Engineering Design Project IV (Two semesters – enrolment in January), Strength of Materials IV, Stress Analysis IV, Mechanics of Machines IV,

Automatic Control IV, Fluid Mechanics IV, and (Turbo Machines IV or Thermodynamics IV).

Option 2: Management

Engineering Design Project IV (Two semesters – enrolment in January) plus two of the following combinations: Strength of Materials IV and Stress Analysis IV;

Mechanics of Machines IV and Automatic Control IV;

Fluid Mechanics IV and (Turbo Machines IV or Thermodynamics IV).

Plus the following subjects: Project Engineering IV and Entrepreneurship IV.

Masters of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering (MEng Mechanical) 

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.