Program Overview

BEng in Mechanical Engineering 4-year Programme

Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology

The BEng in Mechanical Engineering 4-year programme is designed to provide students with a broad knowledge of engineering, focusing on the establishment of a strong foundation in subjects such as dynamics, strength of materials, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and design.

Programme Information

Mechanical engineering is concerned with the design, manufacture, and operation of components, devices, or systems, including:

• Heat exchangers, refrigerators, ventilation systems
• Manufacturing technologies that include the use of lasers, precision machinery
• Automobiles, aeroplanes, and other vehicles
• Robotics, mechatronics, and electronic control of machinery
• Digitization of physical assets through sensing, computing, and data science

Mechanical and aeronautical expertise is required for designing and manufacturing products and services, such as the provision of electricity and water, transport (road, rail, and air), mining activities, mechatronics, and air conditioning.

Career Opportunities

Mechanical and aeronautical engineers are concerned with power-generating machines and systems, such as vehicles, ships, air conditioners, pebble-bed nuclear reactors, aeroplanes, engines, and turbines, robots, and biomedical systems. Areas of specialization include:

• Product design and manufacturing (such as the design, testing, and improvement of mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic systems)
• Marine engineering and naval architecture
• Biomedical engineering
• Air-conditioning and refrigeration
• Aerospace systems and aircraft/missile engineering
• Vehicle engineering
• Maintenance engineering
• Energy management (gas and steam turbines, nuclear power reactors, petrol engines, cooling towers, and renewable energy systems)

Faculty Notes

All modules will only be presented in English, which is the University's official language of tuition, communication, and correspondence.

The Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology at the University of Pretoria is a leading source of graduates in the engineering, built environment, and information technology professions. The Faculty has extensive and cutting-edge teaching, learning, and laboratory facilities integrated with the excellent suite of facilities and services offered by the University.

Admission Requirements

Important Information for All Prospective Students for 2026

The admission requirements below apply to all who apply for admission to the University of Pretoria with a National Senior Certificate (NSC) and Independent Examination Board (IEB) qualifications.

Minimum Requirements: 4-year Programme

• Achievement level:
  • English Home Language or English First Additional Language: 5
  • Mathematics: 6
  • Physical Sciences: 6
  • APS: 35

The suggested second-choice programmes for Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering are Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, and Bachelor of Science in Physics.

Minimum Requirements: 5-year Programme

• Achievement level:
  • English Home Language or English First Additional Language: 5
  • Mathematics: 65%
  • Physical Sciences: 65%
  • APS: 33

Students may apply directly to be considered for the 5-year Bachelor of Engineering programme.

Life Orientation is excluded when calculating the APS.

Applicants currently in Grade 12 must apply with their final Grade 11 (or equivalent) results.

Applicants who have completed Grade 12 must apply with their final NSC or equivalent qualification results.

Please note that meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee admission.

Closing Dates

• South Africa: 30/06/2025
• International: 30/06/2025

Minimum Duration

4 years, full-time

Additional Information

The University of Pretoria aims to be internationally competitive while also locally relevant. Advisory boards at both faculty and departmental levels promote alignment and excellence in teaching and research activities. Where applicable and available, programmes are accredited by statutory and professional bodies at both national and international levels.