Mechanical Engineers design and develop power-producing and power-using machinery, from simple mechanisms to more complex machines. They are also involved in operating and maintaining them. These machines include electric generators, internal combustion engines, steam and gas turbines, and refrigeration and air-conditioning systems. Mechanical engineers also design machines inside buildings, such as elevators and escalators.
Using an understanding of core concepts such as kinetics and thermodynamics (the application of heat and mechanical power), Mechanical Engineers are able to create this wide variety of machines and analyse mechanical processes to suit and sustain the manufacturing and operating goals of an organisation.
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
Browse our Electrical and Civil Engineering courses as well as Millwright.
Career Opportunities
This programme will prepare you for many career opportunities in the field of mechanical engineering such as:
- Mechanical Engineer
- Process Controller
- Design Engineer
- Process Technician
- Materials Scientist
- Fabricator
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
Mechanotechnics N4
Workshop layout • Metal protection • Lubrication • Precision measuring of machine parts • Gear drives • Belt drives • Hydraulic systems • Bearings • Metal cutting machines
Mechanical Draughting N4
Conventional representation of a single spur gear, spur gears in mesh, square threads and helical springs • Cam profiles • Sectional drawing • Detail drawings • Assembly drawing
Engineering Science N4
Kinematics • Angular motions • Dynamics • Statics • Hydraulics • Stress, strain and Young’s Modulus • Heat
Mathematics N4
Learn how to apply Mathematics in your trade subjects and interpret real world problems in various engineering fields.
Supervisory Management N4
Supervision and management • Planning, organisation, leading, control • Labour relations • Training and development • Financial compensation • Loss control and industrial housekeeping • Quality control
- National Certificate N5
Mechanotechnics N5
Epicyclic gears and gear trains • Reduction gearboxes • Conveyor belts and belt drives • Bucket elevators and bucket conveyors • Rope haulages and aerial ropeways • Elevators • Rail and road traction • Flywheels
Mechanical Drawing & Design N5
Introduction to design principles • Ultimate and working stress • Lap and butt joints • Cotter and knuckle joints • Pistons • Friction • Keys and keyways • Couplings • Belts • Welded joints
Power Machines N5
Thermodynamics and heating of gases • Steam generation • Boiler efficiency • Steam condensors • Air pumps • Combustion of fuels • Compressors • Gas turbines • Velocity diagrams • Governors
Mathematics N5
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
- National Certificate N6
Mechanotechnics N6
Clutches • Brakes • Line Shafts • Fly Wheels • Reduction gear box • Rail traction and vehicle dynamics • Static and dynamic balancing • Kinematics
Mechanical Drawing & Design N6
Power Machines N6
Gas laws • Entropy • Carnot and Rankine cycles • Steam plant • Nozzles • Steam turbines • Gas turbines • Internal combustion engines • Air compressors • Refrigeration • The Otto cycle
Mathematics N6
Supervisory Management N6
Leadership models • Assertiveness • Labour relations • Personnel care • Group dynamics • Conflict • Problemsolving 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
Accreditation and Certification
Students write national examinations which are set and administered by the DHET. Successful students achieve the following certification which is conferred and 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