The Professional Landscape
A civil engineering career spans the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of vital public and private infrastructure systems
A Day in the Life
Project Design: Creating blueprint schematics for roads, bridges, dams, and buildings using CAD programs like AutoCAD and Civil 3D.Feasibility Studies: Analysing soil testing data, structural materials, environmental hazards, and surveying metrics.Financial Management: Estimating material, equipment, and labour costs to balance project budgets.Regulatory Compliance: Compiling and submitting permit applications while enforcing OSHA and building code standards.
Where to Study & Requirements
To study Civil Engineering in South Africa, you generally need a National Senior Certificate (NSC) or IEB degree pass with high performance in Mathematics, Physical Sciences, and English.The exact Admission Point Score (APS) varies depending on the institution and whether you choose a traditional 4-year theory-focused Bachelor degree (BEng/BSc Eng) or a 3-year practical Technology degree (BEngTech).
General Subject Requirements
Across almost all South African universities, you cannot study Civil Engineering with Mathematical Literacy. The mandatory minimums for the traditional 4-year degree are:
Mathematics (Core): Minimum Level 5 (60% – 69%) or Level 6 (70%+)
.Physical Sciences: Minimum Level 5 (60% – 69%) or Level 6 (70%+)
.English (Home or First Additional): Minimum Level 4 or 5 (50% – 60%+).
Where to Study
. University of the Witswatersrand (WITS)
. University of Pretoria ( UP)
. University of Johannesburg (UJ)
. University of Kwazulu-Natal (UKZN)