Undergraduate & honours qualifications

Diploma in Mining Engineering

Qualification code: 90140
NQF level: 6
Total credits: 360
SAQA ID: 115928
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 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:
The specific purpose of educational programme designed to meet this qualification is 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 Engineering Council of South Africa. c. Possible admission to an appropriate Advanced Diploma NQF level 7 qualification, or equivalent.
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

Module (Please click on the module to see further information) Pre-requisite/Co-requisite/Recommendation
Group A. Compulsory
ECD1501 - Electrical Computer Aided Design (CAD) 2D
EGP1501 - Engineering Graphics
EMH1501 - Electromagnetism and Heat
ENG1503 - Academic Language and Literacy in English
EUP1501 - Ethical Information and Communication Technologies for Development Solutions
MAT1581 - Mathematics I (Engineering)
MEX1501 - Mineral Exploitation IA
MGY1501 - Mining Geology I Co-requisite:MEX1501
MMN1501 - Mechanics for Mining
MSV1501 - Mine Survey and Valuation I Co-requisite:MEX1501
STA1510 - Basic Statistics

Second level

Module (Please click on the module to see further information) Pre-requisite/Co-requisite/Recommendation
Group A. Compulsory
CMG2601 - Coal Mining Pre-requisite:MEX1501
ENM2601 - Engineering Management I
MAT2691 - Mathematics II (Engineering) Pre-requisite:MAT1581
MGY2611 - Mining Geology IIB Pre-requisite:MGY1501
MHR2601 - Hard Rock Mining Pre-requisite:MEX1501
MIN1601 - Mine Engineering and Equipment I Co-requisite:EMH1501, MMN1501
MIN2605 - Rock Mechanics I Pre-requisite:MEX1501
MIN2606 - Mine Engineering and Equipment II Pre-requisite:MIN1601
MIN2611 - Mine Environmental Engineering I Pre-requisite:MEX1501, EMH1501
MIN2612 - Mineral Beneficiation Pre-requisite:MEX1501
MSV2602 - Mine Survey and Valuation IIB Pre-requisite:MSV1501
SFM2601 - Surface Mining Pre-requisite:MEX1501

Third level

Module (Please click on the module to see further information) Pre-requisite/Co-requisite/Recommendation
Group A. Compulsory
MIN2614 - Applied Mathematics: Minerals I Pre-requisite:MIN2605, MIN2611
MIN2615 - Mine Technical Services Practical Pre-requisite:MIN2605, MIN2611
MIN2617 - Vocational Mining Project Portfolio Pre-requisite:MEX1501,MSV1501,MGY2611,SFM2601,MIN2612,CMG2601,MIN2611, ENM2601,MHR2601,MIN2605,MIN2606