Build a bridge to a rewarding career in Civil Engineering
Civil Engineering is one of the most diverse professions in the engineering sector. There are several areas of specialisation including structural, construction, geotechnical, traffic, water resources, urban planning, materials, and many other emerging areas.
Graduates go on to become involved in everything from planning and designing transport systems, constructing residential and industrial buildings, as well as public infrastructure such as bridges, roads, canals and dams.
As a Civil Engineer, you will play an instrumental role in maintaining and improving the physical environment around us, and improving the quality of life for present and future generations.
The UniCollege difference
- A minimum of 40 contact (face-to-face) hours for each full-time subject and 36 contact hours for each part-time subject
- At UniCollege, you can study an additional 5th subject each year if you are a full-time student
- A workplace readiness programme before each level
We also offer Mechanical, Electrical and Millwright Engineering courses.
Career Opportunities
This programme will prepare you for many career opportunities in the field of civil engineering such as:
- Civil Engineer
- Structural Engineer
- Environmental Engineer
- Road Construction & Maintenance Manager
- Project Manager
- Waste Water Treatment Officer
Course Outline
For each level, the first 4 subjects are compulsory. Full-time students can take an additional 5th subject per level.
- National Certificate N4
Building Administration N4
Develop your ability to manage construction sites and adhere to safety standards and procedures.
• Professional consultants • Building firms • Site organisation • Planning and programming • Building materials • Construction equipment • Foundations • Supervision
Quantity Surveying N4
Learn measuring skills and how to manage cost estimations related to civil engineering projects.
• Quantity surveying in the construction industry • Office procedures related to the production of the Bill of Quantities • Recording of measurements • Measurements of the foundation, super-structure, roof-structure, door, window, plain opening • Working up • Price analysis and estimating
Building and Structural Construction N4
Get the knowledge and skills that are used for structural design in the construction industry.
• Foundations • Damp-proofing • Bonds in brick work • Arches • Steel door frames and windows • Roofs • Guttering • Ceilings • Structural steelwork
Building and Structural Surveying N4
Basic principles of surveying • Linear measurement • Height measurement • Angular measurement • Setting out • Areas and volume • Plane table • Compass surveying
Supervisory Management N4
• Supervision and management • Planning, organisation, leading, control • Labour relations • Training and development • Financial compensation • Loss control and industrial housekeeping • Quality control
Mathematics N4
Learn how to apply Mathematics in your trade subjects and interpret real world problems in various engineering fields.
- National Certificate N5
Building Administration N5
• Earnings and expenditure • Main contractor and sub contractor • Site meetings • Mechanical plants • Support to structures • Mass haul diagrams • Variation, omission and handing over • Statutory bodies
Quantity Surveying N5
Further learning towards becoming a competent practicing quantity surveyor.
• Construction process • Roles and responsibilities of quantity surveying • Measurements of basements, garden/fence wall, reinforced concrete structures, plumbing and drainage, timber roof construction, timber window, door openings, levelling of uneven ground and cost estimates
Building and Structural Construction N5
Reinforced concrete (R.C.) foundations • R.C. concrete and steel columns • R.C. slabs and floor coverings • R.C. beams • R.C. staircases • Truss design • Centre of gravity and inertia • Beam design • Bolted joints
Building and Structural Surveying N5
Surveying • Linear measurements • Height measurement • Tacheometry • Angular measurement • Setting out
Supervisory Management N5
• Management as a science • Organisation structure • Employment and development of people • Training boards (SETAs) in industry • Occupational health and safety • Report writing and meetings • Production planning and improving productivity • Production costs • Quality control • Loss control • Grievances • Stress and time management
Mathematics N5
- National Certificate N6
Building Administration N6
• Work study • Estimating • Pre-tendering • Tendering • Building laws, by-laws, insurance and taxation • Programme charts • Management and welfare
Quantity Surveying N6
• Construction processes • Measurements of plumbing and draining (structures), earthworks (structures), carpentry and joinery (structures), reinforcement, concrete and formwork (structures), pilling • Quantities and costing
Building and Structural Construction N6
• Concrete • Iron and steel • Apply SABS
Building and Structural Surveying N6
• Angular measurement • Traversing • Contouring • Plotting • Road construction
Supervisory Management N6
• Leadership models • Assertiveness • Labour relations • Personnel care • Group dynamics • Conflict • Problem-solving and decision-making • Performing appraisals and management by objectives • Accidents and risk control • Occupational Health & Safety Act and environmental regulations for workplaces • Computers and management information systems
Mathematics N6
Accreditation and Certification
National examinations are set and administered by the Department of Higher Education & Training (DHET). Successful students are awarded the following certificates issued by the DHET:
- National Certificate: N4 Engineering Studies (SAQA ID: 66881)
- National Certificate: N5 Engineering Studies (SAQA ID: 66960)
- National Certificate: N6 Engineering Studies (SAQA ID: 67005)
Once you have successfully achieved all three N4-N6 certificates and have worked for 2 years (minimum of 2 670 hours) in an engineering environment, your logbook will be submitted to the DHET.
On receiving DHET approval, you are awarded the highly respected National N Diploma: Engineering Studies (SAQA ID: 67043).
Entrance Requirements
Grade 12 National Senior Certificate (NSC) or an appropriate National Certificate (N3) or equivalent