Undergraduate & honours qualifications

Diploma in Mechanical Engineering

Qualification code: 90132
NQF level: 6
Total credits: 360
SAQA ID: 111175
APS/AS: 18
Rules:
Please note that all practicals will be conducted at Unisa Science campus, in Johannesburg, Gauteng Province. Further note that this is compulsory to all students and for all the engineering modules that require practical work in the laboratories. Compilation of curriculum: A student may register for a maximum of 60 NQF credits per semester (consequently 120 NQF credits for an academic year); Students should take cognizance of prerequisite and corequisite modules when selecting modules for registration. From 2024, Engineering modules will be offered as year modules only. Please click on the modules to see further information.
Purpose statement:
This qualification is primarily vocational, or industry oriented, characterised by the knowledge emphasis, general principles and application or technology transfer. The qualification provides students with a sound 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. Programmes leading to this qualification tend to have a strong vocational, professional or career focus and holders of this qualification are usually prepared to enter a specific niche in the labour market. 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 Engineering Technician. 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 Engineering Technician with ECSA (Refer to qualification rules). (c) Entry to programmes e.g. Advanced Certificate programmes. (d) Entry to an Advanced Diploma upon successful completion of a work-integrated learning component, or a combination of work-integrated learning and coursework, equivalent to at least 30 credits but not to exceed 120 credits. Engineering students completing this qualification will demonstrate competence in all the Exit Level Outcomes contained in this standard.
This qualification will be presented using both online and distance learning modes.

Who can register?

  • Applicants (new applicants & Unisa students who applied for admission to a new qualification) may only register if they have received an offer of placement from Unisa and have accepted the offer online. Unisa reserves the right to not process and / or to cancel your registration if it is found that you were incorrectly admitted to a qualification. 
  • Re-registering students may register for the 2024 academic year once the registration period opens.

Please note: Should you wish to start a new qualification, please apply online for the alternative qualification during the prescribed application period.


How to choose your modules

Each Unisa qualification is structured in such a way that you need to pass a certain number of NQF level credits within a certain amount of time in order to graduate.

  • Co-requisite: Module A is a co-requisite for Module B. You want to register for Module B, but have not yet passed Module A. You must then register for both Modules A and B simultaneously. You may NOT cancel your registration for Module A unless Module B is also cancelled.
  • Pre-requisite: If Module A is a pre-requisite for Module B, you must pass Module A before you may register for Module B.

You may not register for more than the allowed maximum number of credits / modules per academic year and / or semester: 60 credits per semester or 120 credits per academic year.

The maximum number of credits do not include supplementary and / or aegrotat examinations from a previous semester. Modules taken for non-degree / non-diploma purposes also count towards the maximum number of credits allowed.

You must take your available time into consideration when choosing your modules, as this will impact your academic performance. You need approximately

  • 6 to 8 hours per week for semester modules.
  • 4 to 6 hours per week for year modules.

Click here for more information on managing your studies.

Curriculum for this qualification

While you are deciding on the modules for which you will be registering, write down the module names and codes so that you have something to refer to when completing your registration.

Please click on the modules below to see further information (eg semester/year module, NQF level)

First level

Second level

Module (Please click on the module to see further information) Pre-requisite/Co-requisite/Recommendation
Group A. Compulsory
AEM2601 - Applied Engineering Mechanics Co-requisite:EME2602
EEA2601 - Electrical Engineering II Pre-requisite:EEA1501
EME2602 - Engineering Mechanics II Pre-requisite:EME1501
MAT2691 - Mathematics II (Engineering) Pre-requisite:MAT1581
MED2601 - Mechanical Engineering Design I Pre-requisite:EME1501
MED2602 - Mechanical Engineering Design II Co-requisite:MED2601
MEN2602 - Maintenance Engineering IIB Pre-requisite:MEN1501
MFL2602 - Mechanics of Fluids II Pre-requisite:MFL1601
MTC2602 - Manufacturing Technology II Pre-requisite:MTC1501
SME2601 - Solid Mechanics I Pre-requisite:EME1501
SME2602 - Solid Mechanics II Co-requisite:SME2601
TDY2602 - Thermodynamics II Pre-requisite:TDY2601

Third level

Module (Please click on the module to see further information) Pre-requisite/Co-requisite/Recommendation
Group A. Compulsory
IES2601 - Industrial Engineering Statistics Pre-requisite:MAT1581
MPR3601 - Work-directed industry based Mechanical Engineering Project Pre-requisite:EEA2601, EME2602, MAT2691, MED2602, MFL2602, AEM2601, SME2602, TDY2602, MTC2602, MEN2602