SCIENCE, ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMMMES

This Faculty continues to produce highly skilled graduates in the areas of science, engineering and technology at its East London, Butterworth and Mthatha campuses.

It offers close to 60 programmes in engineering, applied environmental sciences, computing, and mathematical and computational sciences, housed in the respective four schools.

It is keenly actively in the area of new knowledge production, focusing on five areas which assist sustainable development:

– Earth and environmental sciences

– Engineering and technology

– Physical sciences

– Life sciences

– Modelling of linear and non-linear systems with applications.

The science, engineering and technology schools also offer extended curriculum programmes.  These programmes are designed equip students, who do not meet necessary requirements, with the skills to be successful in their studies.

An extended curriculum programme is designed to equip students who do not meet the minimum admission requirements with the skills which will help them to be successful in their studies.

Although information has been compiled as accurately as possible, the Council and Senate of WSU accept no responsibility for errors and omissions. WSU reserves the right to make any necessary alterations to this content as and when the need arises. 

UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES

• Senior Certificate: Full Matriculation Exemption, Conditional Exemption or Mature Age Exemption if candidate is 23 years old in the year of registration:
  • English HG-E/SG-D or second language HG-D/SG-C; Physical Science HG-E/SG-D; Mathematics HG-E/SG-D
• NSC (Degree):
  • Minimum rating of at least 4 (50-59%) in English, Physical Science and Mathematics.
• See other admission requirements relevant to your programme of choice.

• APS: 37 – See our easy-to-understand scoring table
• Senior Certificate: Full Matriculation Exemption, Conditional Exemption or Mature Age Exemption if candidate is 23 years old in the year of registration:
  • English HG-E/SG-D; Physical Science HG-E/SG-D; Mathematics HG-E/SG-D; Biology HG-E/SG-D
• NSC (Degree):
  • Minimum rating of at least 4 (50-59%) in Mathematics, Physical Science and English.
  • Minimum rating of at least 4 (50-59%) in Biology and Geography.
• See other admission requirements relevant to your programme of choice.

• APS: 37 – See our easy-to-understand scoring table
• Senior Certificate: Full Matriculation Exemption, students should have English E HG or D SG
  • Mathematics HG-E/SG-D; Geography HG-E/SG-D; Physical Science HG-E/SG-D or Biological Sciences HG-E/SG-D
• NSC (Degree):
  • Minimum rating of at least 4 (50-59%) in English, Mathematics, Geography and Physical or Biological Sciences.
  • Minimum rating of at least 4 (50-59%) in Biology, Geography.
  • See other admission requirements relevant to your programme of choice.

• National Diploma : Chemistry
• See other admission requirements relevant to your programme of choice.

• An acceptable National Diploma or equivalent qualification.
• Applicants from other institutions will be required to present a portfolio of previous work.
• An average of 65% at National Diploma level is the general guide line allowing consideration for admission. Application should include a substantial Research Project Proposal.
• See other admission requirements relevant to your programme of choice.

• National Diploma: Information Technology Software Development or equivalent qualification.
• Candidates will be selected on the basis of their academic record.
• See other admission requirements relevant to your programme of choice.

• National Diploma: Information Technology Communication Networks or equivalent qualification. Candidates will be selected on the basis of their academic record.
• See other admission requirements relevant to your programme of choice.

• The minimum admission requirement is that the candidate should have accumulated at least one year of appropriate post diploma experience and
• A revised National Diploma: Engineering: Civil (S-stream), or its equivalent
  • OR (ii) A National Higher Diploma: Civil Engineering (T4) with the appropriate courses at this level for the field of specialization the candidate wishes to pursue
  • OR (iii) A National Diploma: Civil Engineering (T3) with four (4) S4-level courses approved by the Head of Department and sufficient appropriate experience in lieu of the other two outstanding S4 courses.
• Newly qualified diplomats who wish to proceed directly to the B.Tech programme without the appropriate post diploma experience requirements may be admitted if they obtained an average of at least 60% in their Level 3 (P2 & S4) courses.
• However, admission is not automatic, as candidates will be selected on the basis of their proven academic record and post qualification professional experience.
• See other admission requirements relevant to your programme of choice.

• The minimum admission requirement is that candidates must have one of the following qualifications:
• National Diploma: Engineering: Electrical, including a credit for Mathematics III, with an overall average for all courses of at least 56% plus at least two years work experience in a related field.
• OR National Diploma: Engineering: Electrical, including a credit for Mathematics III, with an overall average for all courses of at least 56% plus at least two years work experience in a related field.
• OR Old National Diploma (T3): Electrical Engineering: Heavy Current or Light Current, plus enough additional courses to accumulate at least 20 credits, including Engineering Mathematics III and Design Projects III, or their equivalents, and with an overall average for all courses of at least 60%, or 56% plus two years work experience in a related field.
• OR National Higher Diploma: Electrical Engineering: Heavy or Light Current, including a credit for Engineering Mathematics IV or at least Engineering Mathematics III.
• See other admission requirements relevant to your programme of choice.

• The minimum admission requirement is that candidates should have accumulated at least one year of appropriate post diploma experience and
• A revised National Diploma: Engineering: Mechanical (S-stream), or its equivalent
• OR (ii) A National Higher Diploma: Mechanical Engineering (T4) with the appropriate courses at this level for the field of specialization the candidate wishes to pursue
• OR (iii) A National Diploma: Mechanical Engineering (T3) with at least two (2) of the following S4-level courses: Applied Strength of Materials III, Steam Plant III, Hydraulic Machines III, Mathematics III.
• Newly qualified diplomates who wish to proceed directly to the B.Tech programme without the experiential requirements may be admitted if they obtained an average of at least 60% in their level III courses. However, admission is not automatic, as candidates will be selected on the basis of their proven academic record and post qualification professional experience.
• See other admission requirements relevant to your programme of choice.

DIPLOMAS

• APS: 26 – See our easy-to-understand scoring table
• Senior Certificate: Full Matriculation Exemption, Conditional Exemption or Mature Age Exemption if candidate is 23 years old in the year of registration:
  • English (Second Language) E HG
  • NSC (Degree/Diploma): minimum rating of 3 (40-49%) in English. Technology, Art and History.
• In addition to the above requirements, students will be invited for an interview and a drawing assessment.
• See other admission requirements relevant to your programme of choice.

• APS: 28 – See our easy-to-use scoring table.
• Senior Certificate: Full Matriculation Exemption, Conditional Exemption or Mature Age Exemption if candidate is 23 years old in the year of registration:
• English HG-E/SG-D; Mathematics HG-E/SG-D
• NSC (Degree/Diploma):
• Minimum rating of 3 (40-49%) in English as a home language or first additional language level.
• Rating of 3 (40-49%) in Mathematical Literacy or 2 (30-39%) in Mathematics OR Accountancy for costing fabric and garments and promotion purposes.
• Achievement rating of at least 4 (50-59%) in any of the following recommended subjects: Design; Visual Arts; Business Studies; Economics; History; Computer Application Technology; Consumer Studies.
• See other admission requirements relevant to your programme of choice.

• APS: 29 – See our easy-to-understand scoring table
• Senior Certificate: Full Matriculation Exemption, Conditional Exemption or Mature Age Exemption if candidate is 23 years old in the year of registration:
• English (Second Language) HG-E; Physical Science HG-E/SG-D; Biology HG-E/SG-D
• NSC (Degree/Diploma): Compulsory – minimum rating of 4 (50-59%) in English. Rating of 3 (40-49%) in Mathematical Literacy or 2 (30-39%) in Mathematics, Physical Science 3 (30-39%), Life Science 3 (30-39%)
• Recommended NSC subjects (not compulsory): Accounting 2 (30-39%), Consumer Studies 3 (30-39%)
• Life Science
• Physics
• Mathematics/Mathematical Literacy
• All candidates subjected to selection: students who have never done Consumer Studies hospitality/hotel keeping at high school will be interviewed or submit a portfolio that will cover certain important aspects of their subjects.
• An outline questionnaire will be given if required.
• See other admission requirements relevant to your programme of choice. 

• Senior Certificate: Full Matriculation Exemption, Conditional Exemption or Mature Age Exemption if candidate is 23 years old in the year of registration:
  • English HG-E/SG-D; Physical Science HG-E/SG-D; Mathematics HG-E/SG-D
• NSC (Degree/Diploma):
  • Minimum rating of 3 (40-49%) in English as a home language or first additional language level.
  • Minimum rating of 3 (40-49%) in Mathematics; rating of 3 (40-49%) in Physical Science.
• Applicants are required to participate in National Benchmarking and SATAPS Tests.
• See other admission requirements relevant to your programme of choice. 

• APS: 30 – See our easy-to-understand scoring table
• Senior Certificate: Full Matriculation Exemption, Conditional Exemption or Mature Age Exemption if candidate is 23 years old in the year of registration:
  • English HG-E/SG-D; Physical Science HG-E/SG-D; Mathematics HG-E/SG-D
• NSC (Degree/Diploma):
  • Minimum rating of 3 (40-49%) in English as a home language or first additional language level.
  • Minimum rating of 3 (40-49%) in Mathematics and rating of 3 (40-49%) in Physical Science.
• Applicants are required to participate in National Benchmarking and SATAPS Tests.
• See other admission requirements relevant to your programme of choice.

• APS: 30 – See our easy-to-understand scoring table
• Senior Certificate: Full Matriculation Exemption, Conditional Exemption or Mature Age Exemption if candidate is 23 years old in the year of registration:
  • English HG-E/SG-D; Physical Science HG-E/SG-D; Mathematics HG-E/SG-D
• NSC (Degree/Diploma):
  • Minimum rating of 3 (40-49%) in English as a home language or first additional language level.
  • Minimum rating of 3 (40-49%) in Mathematics and rating of 3 (40-49%) in Physical Science.
• Applicants are required to participate in National Benchmarking and SATAPS Tests.
• See other admission requirements relevant to your programme of choice. 

• APS: 30 – See our easy-to-understand scoring table
• Senior Certificate: Full Matriculation Exemption, Conditional Exemption or Mature Age Exemption if candidate is 23 years old in the year of registration:
  • English HG-E/SG-D; Physical Science HG-E/SG-D; Mathematics HG-E/SG-D
• NSC (Degree/Diploma):
  • Minimum rating of 3 (40-49%) in English as a home language or first additional language level.
  • Minimum rating of 3 (40-49%) in Mathematics and rating of 3 (40-49%) in Physical Science.
• Applicants are required to participate in National Benchmarking and SATAPS Tests.
• See other admission requirements relevant to your programme of choice. 

• APS: 25- See our easy-to-understand scoring table
• Senior Certificate: Full Matriculation Exemption, Conditional Exemption or Mature Age Exemption if candidate is 23 years old in the year of registration:
  • English – First Language HG-E/SG-D or Second Language HG-D/SG-C; Mathematics HG-E/SG-D
• NSC (Degree/Diploma):
  • Minimum rating of at least 4 (50-59%) in English as a home language or first additional language level.
  • Minimum rating of at least 5 (60-69%) in Mathematical Literacy or 3 (40-49%) in Mathematics.
• See other admission requirements relevant to your programme of choice.

• APS: 25
• Senior Certificate: Full Matriculation Exemption, Conditional Exemption or Mature Age Exemption if candidate is 23 years old in the year of registration:
  • English – First Language HG-E/SG-D or Second Language HG-D/SG-C; Mathematics HG-E/SG-D
• NSC (Degree/Diploma):
  • Minimum rating of at least 4 (50-59%) in English as a home language or first additional language level.
  • Minimum rating of at least 5 (60-69%) in Mathematical Literacy or 3 (40-49%) in Mathematics.
• See other admission requirements relevant to your programme of choice.

• APS: 25- See our easy-to-understand scoring table
• Senior Certificate: Full Matriculation Exemption, Conditional Exemption or Mature Age Exemption if candidate is 23 years old in the year of registration:
  • English – First Language HG-E/SG-D or Second Language HG-D/SG-C; Mathematics HG-E/SG-D
• NSC (Degree/Diploma):
  • Minimum rating of at least 4 (50-59%) in English as a home language or first additional language level.
  • Minimum rating of at least 5 (60-69%) in Mathematical Literacy or 3 (40-49%) in Mathematics.
  • See other admission requirements relevant to your programme of choice.

• APS: 30 – See our easy-to-understand scoring table
• Applicants with APS scores of 24 to 29 will be invited for standardised assessment tests for admissions and placement.
• Senior Certificate: Full Matriculation Exemption, Conditional Exemption or Mature Age Exemption if candidate is 23 years old in the year of registration:
  • English HG-E/SG-D; Physical Science HG-E/SG-D; Mathematics HG-E/SG-D or
  • English HG-E/SG-E; Physical Science HG-E/SG-E; Mathematics HG-E/SG-E
• NSC (Degree/Diploma):
  • Minimum rating of 3 (40-49%) in English as a home language or first additional language level.
  • Minimum rating of 3 (40-49%) in Mathematics and rating of 3 (40-49%) in Physical Science.
• If the symbol attained for English and Mathematics or Physical Sciences is one level below the entrance requirement, the student will still be considered for the standardised assessment test for admission and placement (SATAP).
• All candidates will be subjected to selection process.
• See other admission requirements relevant to your programme of choice.

More information

For more information, go to the Buffalo City, Butterworth and Queenstown prospectuses.

Contact us

For further information, contact us on (telephone):

Mthatha (Nelson Mandela Drive),  047 502 2443/8
Mthatha (Zamukulungisa), 047 537 0001
Butterworth (Ibika), 047 401 6287
College Street, 043 702 9369/71
Potsdam, 043 708 5223/6
Chistelhurst, 043 709 4000
Queenstown, 045 838 2998