BEng Electrical Engineering

Electrical engineering is one of the three internationally  accepted and closely related subdisciplines in the traditional  field of electrical engineering (electrical engineering, electronic engineering and computer engineering). This programme covers the vast and continuously expanding field of the ‘electrical energy world’. Practically all technological systems in the world rely on electrical power as a source of energy. An electrical engineer is someone with a talent for introducing alternative and renewable sources of electrical energy into everyday life.

Enormous challenges exist for utilising and storing electrical energy derived from such sources as the sun (solar energy), wind, biomass and water (hydro-energy), and even nuclear energy. In South Africa, pumped storage systems are extensively used, and new systems are under construction. The next steps in the chain from generating to utilising electrical energy are the transmission and distribution systems. The most cost-effective way of saving electrical energy is to spend a great deal of research and development time and money on sustainable energy-efficient equipment, from electrical machines to geysers and lighting.

There is a shortage of qualified electrical engineers all over the world. An electrical engineer has a thorough understanding of the basic sciences and a good education in the theoretical and practical aspects (including design, installation and maintenance methodology) of electrical engineering. Due to the current worldwide power crisis, there is an urgent need for environmentally friendly ways to generate power and energy.

Our programme in electrical engineering was developed over many years to provide exactly what the industry expects from such an engineer. There are fascinating opportunities worldwide for electrical (high-current) engineers who are capable of taking the lead in respect of sustainable and environmentally friendly electrical energy generation, transmission and utilisation. Most  car manufacturers have already introduced electric cars (including series and parallel hybrid vehicles), and there are many new entrants to the market.

Electrical engineering is prevalent in almost all application fields and technologies where electrical energy is consumed. Every known piece of equipment requires a source of energy—powered by mains, batteries or photovoltaic (PV) cells—and needs the skill of an electrical engineer. The transport and manufacturing industries are excellent examples of industries in which electrical engineers use their superior skills to design, develop and maintain electrical machines (motors and generators) with control systems for optimal performance. Most ships and trains are electrically powered.

Other applications of electrical engineering include power reticulation in cities, townships, shopping malls and factories. The lighting of indoor and outdoor areas forms the basis of our daily activities and includes lighting at sports stadiums, street lighting, safety and security lighting, task and ambient lighting, as well as lighting for offices, entertainment and many other specialist applications. Regardless of whether it is medicine, the military, entertainment, sports, education or any other field of technology, electrical engineers will be there to provide the energy and control required. An electrical engineer needs to be innovative and has to keep abreast of new developments in the field of technology. Many electrical engineers move into management positions very  quickly and use analytical, synthesis, managerial and leadership skills to reach the highest levels of corporate management.

The aim of electrical engineering is to change the world by discovering ways to generate, transmit, distribute and utilise electrical energy in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way. Typical subsystems that may form part of larger electrical systems are electrical machines of all sizes and shapes, power electronics, control systems, power system components, power quality and network stability, lamps and lighting, power supplies, photovoltaic (PV) cells, solar geysers, space systems, robotics and energy management systems.

For more information, please consult the Faculty webpage.

  • Disclaimer: This publication contains information about regulations and programmes of the University of Pretoria. Amendments to or updating of the information may be effected from time to time without prior notification. The accuracy, correctness or validity of the information contained here is therefore not guaranteed by the University at any given time and is always subject to verification. The user is kindly requested to verify the correctness of the information with the University at all times. Failure to do so will not give rise to any claim or action of any nature against the University by any party whatsoever.

Career Opportunities

Electrical engineers are active in the generation, storage, transmission, distribution and utilisation of electrical energy. There is a bright future in renewable energy. Electrical engineers design, supervise the construction, oversee the optimal operation and assure perfect and timely maintenance of all electrical installations for municipalities, residential areas, commercial buildings, factories, mines and industries. Rail transport, water pumping, electrical grids, telecommunications, energy management and smart lighting  all fiall within the scope of electrical engineering.


Programme Code

12130003


Closing Dates

Applications for this plan have closed.


Admission Requirements

Important information for all prospective students for 2022

  • The admission requirements apply to students who apply for admission to the University of Pretoria with a National Senior Certificate (NSC) and Independent Examination Board (IEB) qualifications.
  • Applicants with qualifications other than the abovementioned should refer to:
    • Brochure: Undergraduate Programme Information 2022: Qualifications other than the NSC and IEB, available at click here.
  • Citizens from countries other than South Africa (applicants who are not South African citizens) should also refer to:
  • School of Tomorrow (SOT), Accelerated Christian Education (ACE) and General Education Development Test (GED): The University of Pretoria no longer accepts qualifications awarded by these institutions.
  • National Certificate (Vocational) (NCV) Level 4: The University of Pretoria may consider NCV candidates, provided they meet the exemption for bachelor’s status criteria and the programme requirements.

Transferring students

A transferring student is a student who, at the time of application for a degree programme at the University of Pretoria (UP) –

  • is a registered student at another tertiary institution, or was previously registered at another tertiary institution and did not complete the programme enrolled for at that institution, and is not currently enrolled at a tertiary institution, or has completed studies at another tertiary institution, but is not currently enrolled at a tertiary institution, or has started with tertiary studies at UP, then moved to another tertiary institution and wants to be readmitted at UP.

A transferring student will be considered for admission based on

  • an NSC or equivalent qualification with exemption to bachelor’s or diploma studies (whichever is applicable); and meeting the minimum faculty-specific subject requirements at NSC or tertiary level; or having completed a higher certificate at a tertiary institution with faculty-specific subjects/modules passed (equal to or more than 50%), as well as complying with faculty rules on admission;
  • previous academic performance (must have passed all modules registered for up to the closing date of application ) or as per faculty regulation/promotion requirements;
  • a certificate of good conduct.

Note: Students who have been dismissed at the previous institution due to poor academic performance, will not be considered for admission to UP.

Returning students

A returning student is a student who, at the time of application for a degree programme –

  • is a registered student at UP, and wants to transfer to another degree at UP, or was previously registered at UP and did not complete the programme enrolled for, and did not enrol at another tertiary institution in the meantime (including students who applied for leave of absence), or has completed studies at UP, but is not currently enrolled or was not enrolled at another tertiary institution after graduation.

A returning student will be considered for admission based on

  • an NSC or equivalent qualification with exemption to bachelor’s or diploma studies (whichever is applicable); and meeting the minimum faculty-specific subject requirements at NSC or tertiary level; or previous academic performance (should have a cumulative weighted average of at least 50% for the programme enrolled for);
  • having applied for and was granted leave of absence.

Note: Students who have been excluded/dismissed from a faculty due to poor academic performance may be considered for admission to another programme at UP.  The Admissions Committee may consider such students if they were not dismissed more than twice. Only ONE transfer between UP faculties will be allowed, and a maximum of two (2) transfers within a faculty.

Important faculty-specific information on undergraduate programmes for 2022

  • The closing date is an administrative admission guideline for non-selection programmes. Once a non-selection programme is full  and has reached the institutional targets, then that programme will be closed for further admissions, irrespective of the closing date. However, if the institutional targets have not been met by the closing date, then that programme will remain open for admissions until the institutional targets are met.
  • The following persons will be considered for admission: Candidates who have a certificate that is deemed by the University to be equivalent to the required National Senior Certificate (NSC) with university endorsement; candidates who are graduates from another tertiary institution or have been granted the status of a graduate of such an institution, and candidates who are graduates of another faculty at the University of Pretoria.
  • Life Orientation is excluded when calculating the APS.
  • Grade 11 results are used for the conditional admission of prospective students.
  • A valid qualification with admission to degree studies is required.
  • Minimum subject and achievement requirements, as set out below, are required.
  • Conditional admission to the four-year programmes in the School of Engineering is guaranteed only if a prospective student complies with ALL the requirements as indicated in the table.
  • Admission to ENGAGE in the School of Engineering will be determined by the NSC results, achievement levels of 5 for Mathematics, Physical Sciences and English, and an APS of 30.
  • Students may apply directly to be considered for the ENGAGE programme.
  • All modules will be presented in English, as English is the language of tuition, communication and correspondence.

Note: Our programmes are accredited by the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), and our degrees meet the requirements for Professional Engineers in SA.

University of Pretoria website: click here

Minimum requirements

Achievement level

English Home Language or English First Additional Language

Mathematics

Physical Sciences

APS

NSC/IEB

NSC/IEB

NSC/IEB

5

6

6

35

***************************************************************************************************************

ENGAGE Programme minimum requirements

Achievement level

English Home Language or English First Additional Language

Mathematics

Physical Sciences

APS

NSC/IEB

NSC/IEB

NSC/IEB

5

5

5

30

 


Duration of study

4 years, full-time.


Faculty Notes

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. We achieve this by a focus on research to drive innovative and enquiry-led teaching for educating and positioning our students to be leaders in their 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. We facilitate access to our qualifications through our extended programmes but expect our students to excel and develop as future professionals through our programme offering. We invite you to consider enrolling in one of our programmes if you share our vision of excellence and want to position yourself as a leader in the professions that we support.

The Faculty is organised in four schools: the School of Engineering, the School for the Built Environment, the School of Information Technology and the Graduate School of Technology Management. The School of Engineering is the largest of its kind in the country in terms of student numbers, graduates and research contributions and offers programmes in all the major engineering disciplines with many specialisations also offered at undergraduate and graduate level. 

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


Enquiries about the programme

Click Here
How to apply

Copyright © University of Pretoria 2024. All rights reserved.

COVID-19 Corona Virus South African Resource Portal

To contact the University during the COVID-19 lockdown, please send an email to [email protected]

FAQ's Email Us Virtual Campus Share Cookie Preferences