Program Overview

Introduction to the Master of Science in Engineering by Research

The Master of Science in Engineering by Research is a 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time degree offered in the fields of Environmental Engineering, Geotechnical and Materials Engineering, Structural Engineering, Water Engineering, and Infrastructure Engineering and Management.

Overview

• Programme name: MSc (Eng) by research
• Credit distribution: 180-credits dissertation. Please note that this programme does not involve any coursework.
• The research for the 180-credits dissertation will fall under one of the following sub-disciplines: Environmental, geotechnical, materials, structural, water, and project & construction management.
• The 180-credits dissertation is conducted under the supervision of an academic from the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Importantly, applicants are required to secure supervision from an academic before submitting their application.

Entry Requirements

• 4-year bachelor's degree in any branch of engineering or an engineering-related field (e.g., geology, project management, architecture, etc.).
• Agreement to supervise from an academic of the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
  • Applicants with a BTech qualification or a 4-year degree in a non-engineering field can be considered for admission provided that they have more than three years of engineering-related working experience obtained after the date of qualification.
  • Such applicants are required to fill a differently qualified form (Form for Differently Qualified Applicants (DQA)) to indicate their qualification and document their experience.
• Note: Applicants holding foreign qualifications must subject their highest qualification to an evaluation by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). The outcome of the evaluation must be submitted as part of the application.

University Application Process

• Applications are handled centrally by the Student Enrolment Centre (SEnC). Once your application is complete in terms of requested documentation, your application will be referred to the relevant School for assessment.
• Applicants can monitor the progress of their applications via the Self Service Portal.
• Selections for programmes that have a limited intake but attract a large number of applications may only finalise the application at the end of the application cycle.
• Please note that the Entry Requirements are a guide. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee a place. Final selection is made subject to the availability of places, academic results, and other entry requirements where applicable.

University Fees and Funding

• The Fees site provides information about the payment of fees and closing dates for fees payments. Once you have applied, you will be able to access the fees estimator on the student self-service portal.
• For information about postgraduate funding opportunities, including the postgraduate merit award, the University's Postgraduate Funding portal is a database of scholarships, bursaries, and other funding opportunities available to Wits postgraduate students.
• Please also check your School website for bursary opportunities.
• The National Research Foundation (NRF) offers a wide range of opportunities in terms of bursaries and fellowships to students pursuing postgraduate studies.
• The Bursaries South Africa website provides a comprehensive list of bursaries in South Africa.

Programme Details

• Programme Code: ERA00
• Faculty: Engineering and the Built Environment
• School: Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Qualification: MSc (Eng)
• Duration: 1 - 2 years
• Study Mode: Full-time; Part-time
• Closing Date: Offered throughout the year with multiple intakes.