Network Engineer
Keep company networks, Wi-Fi, servers and cloud connections running. A practical IT career with clear certification ladders.
What the job involves
- Set up and maintain routers, switches and firewalls.
- Troubleshoot connectivity problems for users and offices.
- Plan cloud and remote-access connections.
School subjects you need
Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy accepted. Confirm the exact requirement with the institution you apply to.
- Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy
- English
- Information Technology
- Physical Sciences
Marks you normally need
- Minimum NSC pass
- Diploma pass or better
- Indicative APS
- Roughly 22–30 for diplomas
- Subject percentages institutions look for
- Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy: 40–50%+
- 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
- IT diploma at a TVET college or university of technology3 years
Combine with vendor certifications such as CCNA.
- Certification-first route6–18 months
Many technicians start on a service desk and certify while working.
What you could earn
- Entry level
- R18 000 – R30 000 per month
- Mid-career
- R35 000 – R60 000 per month
- Senior
- R70 000 – R110 000 per month
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
- University of the Free StateUFS · Bloemfontein
- University of the Western CapeUWC · Bellville, Cape Town
- Rhodes UniversityRhodes · Makhanda
- Nelson Mandela UniversityNMU · Gqeberha
- University of Fort HareUFH · Alice and East London
- University of LimpopoUL · Mankweng, Polokwane
- University of VendaUniven · Thohoyandou
- University of ZululandUniZulu · KwaDlangezwa, Richards Bay
- Walter Sisulu UniversityWSU · Mthatha, East London, Butterworth, Komani
- Sol Plaatje UniversitySPU · Kimberley
- University of MpumalangaUMP · Mbombela and Siyabuswa
- University of South AfricaUnisa · Distance learning, head office in Pretoria
- 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: Ugcina amanethiwekhi nezinsiza ze-inthanethi zisebenza. Izitifiketi zibaluleke kakhulu.
Afrikaans: Hou maatskappynetwerke aan die gang. Sertifisering weeg swaarder as 'n graad.