Bachelor of Engineering Technology Honours in Water Engineering

Qualification code:	90150
NQF level:	8
Total credits:	144
SAQA ID:	110626
APS/AS:	60

Purpose statement:
The Bachelor of Engineering Technology Honours Degree is a postgraduate qualification, characterised by the fact that it prepares students for industry and research. The qualification serves to provide students with the advanced knowledge in specialized engineering fields. The knowledge emphasizes Civil and Water engineering principles and application. Also the qualification provides students with an in-depth knowledge base in a particular field or discipline and the ability to apply their knowledge and skills to particular career or professional contexts, while equipping them to undertake more specialised and intensive learning. This qualification demands a high level of theoretical engagement and intellectual independence. The Bachelor of Engineering Technology Honours Degree may form part of a combination of qualifications to meet the educational requirements for registration in the category candidate engineer. This qualification typically follows a Bachelor's Degree, Advanced Diploma or relevant NQF level 7 qualification and serves to consolidate and deepen the student's expertise in water engineering field and to develop research capacity in the methodology and techniques of the discipline. The Bachelor of Engineering Technology Honours Degree enhances the application of research and development as well as specialist and contextual knowledge to meet the minimum entry requirement for admission to a cognate Master's Degree. The Master's Degree programme is usually in the area of specialisation of the Bachelor Honours Degree. The programme design reflects the new standard for engineers as required by the Engineering Council of South Africa based on the new HEQF (ECSA document E - 09 - PT , Rev.1, 14th of March 2013: Qualification Standard for Bachelor of Engineering Technology Honours : NQF Level 8). The specific purpose of educational programmes designed to meet this qualification are to build the necessary knowledge, understanding, abilities and skills required for further learning towards becoming a competent practicing Professional Engineer. This qualification provides: a) Preparation for careers in engineering and areas that potentially benefit from engineering skills, for achieving technical proficiency and competency to make a contribution to the economy and national development. b) The educational base required for registration as a Candidate and/or a Professional Technologist with Engineering Council of South Africa. c) Entry to a Master's qualification. Engineering students completing this qualification will demonstrate competence in all the Exit Level Outcomes contained in this standard.

Admission and re-admission requirements

Qualification admission requirements

Please note:

• Your admission to Unisa is dependent on you meeting the specific admission requirements for your chosen qualification.
• Unisa reserves the right to withdraw any offer for admission to the 2026 academic year should it be found that you do not meet the statutory, college and/or minimum admission requirements for the qualification to which you have been admitted. In such a case, the university will refund any registration fees paid towards the said qualification.

An appropriate NQF level 7 qualification in Civil Engineering from an accredited provider of higher education with a minimum of 60% average.
Applicants who do not meet the admission requirements as indicated above may apply for admission through recognition of prior learning (RPL) provided they are at least 30 years old with a minimum of five years' current, relevant working and research experience in line with the approved qualification's RPL requirements. For more information on RPL criteria visit: http://www.unisa.ac.za/rpl
Unsuccessful applicants may appeal on the application portal at https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Apply-for-admission/Apply-for-admission-to-study:-application-tool and will be required to provide a motivation for special admission. The motivation must incorporate the following:
academic motivation offering evidence of your ability to study a postgraduate qualification, work experience relevant to the qualification and courses completed since graduating with the Bachelor's Degree or Advanced Diploma.

These appeals will only be considered if the enrolment target of the qualification has not been met and/or additional enrolment spaces are available.

Student fees and funding your studies

Apply for admission

Apply for admission to honours degrees or postgraduate diplomas for the 2026 academic year between 18 August and 10 October 2025. 

Please note:

• You must apply for each new qualification even if you already have a formal Unisa student number. This includes first-time Unisa applicants, Unisa students changing to a new qualification and/or changing the specialisation of their current qualification, and applicants completing an undergraduate qualification who wish to continue with postgraduate studies.
  * Student numbers issued for short learning programmes and the Graduate School of Business Leadership are not formal Unisa student numbers.
• You may apply for a maximum of two qualifications, ranked in order of preference (although you may only register for one should all of your applications be successful). No changes may be made after the closing date for applications.
• You must accept or decline Unisa's offer within the prescribed period of time.
• You may only accept one offer. If you accept an offer, the other application for admission/offer will automatically fall away.
• If you accept Unisa's offer for the 2026 academic year, you may only register for the qualification and specialisation for which you received an offer. You may also only register for the 2026 academic year. Should you decide not to register for the 2026 academic year for any reason, you will need to apply for admission during the next application period.

Registration

Successful applicants should visit the registration website in January 2026 for updated registration information (eg qualification rules, curriculum/transitional arrangements, pre-requisites and co-requisites): www.unisa.ac.za/register

Curriculum / modules