Program Overview

Diploma in Mechanical Engineering

Qualification Details

• Qualification Code: 90132
• NQF Level: 6
• Total Credits: 360
• APS/AS: 18

Rules

• All practicals will be conducted at Unisa's Science campus in Johannesburg, Gauteng Province, and attendance is compulsory for all engineering modules that require practical work.
• Students may register for a maximum of 60 NQF credits per semester (120 NQF credits for an academic year).
• Students should consider prerequisite and co-requisite modules when selecting modules for registration.

Purpose Statement

The Diploma in Mechanical Engineering aims to equip students with the necessary knowledge, understanding, abilities, and skills required for further learning towards becoming competent practicing professional engineering technicians. This qualification prepares graduates for careers in engineering and related fields, enabling them to achieve technical proficiency and contribute to the economy and national development. It provides the educational base required for registration as a candidate or professional engineering technician with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA). This qualification reflects the standard required by ECSA based on its Qualification Standard for Diploma in Engineering (NQF Level 6).

The qualification will be offered through both online and distance learning modes.

Registration Information

• Applicants: New applicants and Unisa students wishing to pursue a new qualification must have received an offer of placement from Unisa and must accept the offer online.
• Re-registering Students: Existing students may register for the 2026 academic year once the registration period opens.

Module Selection Guidelines

Each Unisa qualification is structured such that students must pass a certain number of NQF level credits within a specified timeframe to graduate.

• Co-requisite: If Module A is a co-requisite for Module B, both must be registered for simultaneously.
• Pre-requisite: If Module A is a prerequisite for Module B, Module A must be completed before registering for Module B.
• Students may not exceed the maximum number of allowed credits/modules per academic year or semester, and supplementary or aegrotat examinations do not count towards this limit.

Curriculum for This Qualification

Group A: Compulsory Modules

First Level

• EEA1501 - Electrical Engineering I
• EGP1501 - Engineering Graphics
• EME1501 - Engineering Mechanics I
• EMO1601 - Engineering Modelling (Co-requisite: EGP1501)
• ENG1503 - Academic Language and Literacy in English
• EUP1501 - Ethical Information and Communication Technologies for Development Solutions
• MAT1581 - Mathematics I (Engineering)
• MEN1501 - Maintenance Engineering IA
• MFL1601 - Mechanics of Fluids I
• MTC1501 - Manufacturing Technology I

Second Level

• 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)
• 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)
• TDY2601 - Thermodynamics I

Third Level

• ENM2601 - Engineering Management I
• IES2601 - Industrial Engineering Statistics (Pre-requisite: MAT1581)
• MED2601 - Mechanical Engineering Design I (Pre-requisite: EME1501)
• MED2602 - Mechanical Engineering Design II (Co-requisite: MED2601)
• MPR3601 - Work-directed Industry-based Mechanical Engineering Project (Pre-requisite: EEA2601, EME2602, MAT2691, MFL2602, AEM2601, SME2602, MTC2602, MEN2602)
• TDY2602 - Thermodynamics II (Pre-requisite: TDY2601)