Civil Engineer
Design and oversee roads, bridges, water systems and buildings. Strong demand in municipalities, construction and consulting.
What the job involves
- Design structures and infrastructure and check they are safe.
- Supervise construction sites and contractors.
- Work for consulting firms, municipalities or contractors.
School subjects you need
Pure Mathematics required. If you take Mathematical Literacy in Grade 10, this career is normally closed to you at degree level.
- Mathematics
- Physical Sciences
- English
- Engineering Graphics & Design
- Information Technology
Marks you normally need
- Minimum NSC pass
- Bachelor's pass for BEng; Diploma pass for a national diploma
- Indicative APS
- Roughly 30–38 for BEng, 24–30 for a diploma
- Subject percentages institutions look for
- Mathematics: 60–70%+ for BEng
- Physical Sciences: 60%+ for BEng
- English: 50%+
These are indicative ranges for guidance only. Every university, university of technology and TVET college sets its own admission requirements — check the current prospectus of the institution you are applying to.
Study routes
- BEng / BSc Eng at a university4 years
The route to registering as a Professional Engineer (Pr Eng) with ECSA after about three years of work experience.
- Diploma or BEngTech at a university of technology3–4 years
Leads to technician or technologist registration; you can bridge to BEng later.
What you could earn
- Entry level
- R28 000 – R42 000 per month
- Mid-career
- R50 000 – R80 000 per month
- Senior
- R90 000 – R140 000 per month (Pr Eng and project directors)
Indicative gross monthly ranges from public South African salary sources. They vary by employer, province and experience, and are not guarantees. Compare all careers.
Where you can study this
Public institutions that commonly offer this field. Confirm the exact programme, its minimum APS and the closing date on the institution's own admissions page.
- University of Cape TownUCT · Cape Town
- University of the WitwatersrandWits · Johannesburg
- Stellenbosch UniversitySU · Stellenbosch
- University of PretoriaUP · Pretoria
- University of KwaZulu-NatalUKZN · Durban and Pietermaritzburg
- University of JohannesburgUJ · Johannesburg
- North-West UniversityNWU · Potchefstroom, Mahikeng and Vanderbijlpark
- Nelson Mandela UniversityNMU · Gqeberha
- Walter Sisulu UniversityWSU · Mthatha, East London, Butterworth, Komani
- Cape Peninsula University of TechnologyCPUT · Cape Town and Bellville
- Durban University of TechnologyDUT · Durban and Pietermaritzburg
- Tshwane University of TechnologyTUT · Pretoria and surrounding campuses
- Vaal University of TechnologyVUT · Vanderbijlpark
- Central University of TechnologyCUT · Bloemfontein and Welkom
- Mangosuthu University of TechnologyMUT · Umlazi, Durban
Official sources
Questions learners ask
Isifinyezo / Opsomming
isiZulu: Uklama imigwaqo, amabhuloho namanzi. Kudinga iMathematics nePhysical Sciences.
Afrikaans: Ontwerp paaie, brûe en waterstelsels. Suiwer Wiskunde en Fisiese Wetenskappe is verpligtend.