Careers › Engineering

How to become a Civil Engineer

Designs and builds roads, bridges, dams, water systems and buildings.

This needs more than the degree

An engineering degree alone doesn’t make you a Professional Engineer. You register with ECSA as a Candidate Engineer after graduating, then need several years of supervised experience and a professional review before you can register as a Pr Eng and sign off your own work.

What does a Civil Engineer actually do?

More about this career

Day to day it’s technical drawings, site visits, structural calculations and managing budgets and contractors – less “inventing”, more making sure what gets built actually stands up and meets code. Civil engineers specialise into structures, water, transport, geotechnical or construction management, and most register as a Professional Engineer with ECSA a few years after graduating.

Where this degree can take you

  • Structural Engineer
  • Construction Project Manager
  • Transportation Engineer
  • Water/Environmental Engineer

This is our general description of the role and related jobs, not from an official source – it’s here to give you a fuller picture, not as a careers-counselling guarantee.

Not from an official source

Subjects that usually help

  • Mathematics
  • Physical Sciences
  • Engineering Graphics & Design (helpful)

This is our general guidance about which school subjects suit this career. It is not an admission requirement and not from an official source – the real requirements are on the degrees below.

Not from an official source

Where to check this yourself

What the programmes we’ve captured actually ask for

  • Mathematics – asked for by 26 of 27 programmes
  • Physical Sciences – asked for by 26 of 27 programmes
  • Technical Mathematics – asked for by 9 of 27 programmes
  • Technical Sciences – asked for by 8 of 27 programmes

Counted from the requirements below (an “or” alternative counts for each subject named). Each programme links to the page it came from.

Programmes that lead here

27 programmes at 16 universities. More are added as we verify them.

Cape Peninsula University of Technology

Diploma in Civil Engineering

Civil Engineering and Geomatics, Bellville Campus

CPUT APS 30 points (method varies by programme)

  • English: 50%
  • Mathematics: 50% OR Technical Mathematics: 60%
  • Physical Sciences: 50% OR Technical Sciences: 60%

Raw-confirmed 2026-10-04 against CPUT’s own prospectus course page. Calculated on CPUT’s "Method 2" (required subjects plus your next-best subject, doubling Mathematics and Physical Sciences - see CPUT_APS). ECSA-accredited. CPUT calculates this programme’s APS using one of three methods, confirmed from page 3 of CPUT’s own 2027 Undergraduate Prospectus - see CPUT_APS for the arithmetic.

Source: View the official page (prospectus.cput.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Bachelor of Engineering Technology in Civil Engineering

Civil Engineering and Geomatics, Bellville Campus

CPUT APS 36 points (method varies by programme)

  • English: 60%
  • Mathematics: 60% OR Technical Mathematics: 60%
  • Physical Sciences: 60% OR Technical Sciences: 60%

Raw-confirmed 2026-10-04 against CPUT’s own prospectus course page. CPUT calculates this programme’s APS using one of three methods, confirmed from page 3 of CPUT’s own 2027 Undergraduate Prospectus - see CPUT_APS for the arithmetic.

Source: View the official page (prospectus.cput.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Selection programme

Diploma in Civil Engineering (Extended Curriculum)

Engineering, Bellville Campus · 4 years

CPUT APS 30 points (method varies by programme)

  • English: 50%
  • Mathematics and Physical Science – English 50%, with one of Mathematics or Physical Science at 50% and the other at a minimum of 45% (or Technical Mathematics / Technical Science at 60% with the other at 55%), subject to space.

Raw-confirmed 2026-10-04 against CPUT’s own prospectus course page. Extended Curriculum Programme (4 years): APS 30 using Method 2. CPUT calculates this programme’s APS using one of three methods, confirmed from page 3 of CPUT’s own 2027 Undergraduate Prospectus - see CPUT_APS for the arithmetic.

Source: View the official page (prospectus.cput.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Central University of Technology

BEngTech Civil Engineering

Engineering, Built Environment & IT · 3 years

CUT APS 32 points out of 49

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Mathematics: level 5 (60% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)

Raw-confirmed 2026-10-04 against CUT’s own programme page (the page carries no intake year; applications for 2027 closed 30 September 2026). 32 CUT points, English and Physical Sciences level 4, Mathematics level 5. Mathematical Literacy is not accepted for any CUT engineering discipline.

Source: View the official page (cut.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Partly verified

Diploma in Civil Engineering

Engineering, Built Environment & IT

CUT APS 32 points out of 49

  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)

Raw-confirmed 2026-10-04 against CUT’s own programme page (it carries no intake year; applications for 2027 closed 30 September 2026). The page gives 32 points for 2008-onwards NSC (27 in the pre-2008 paragraph) - unusually high next to CUT’s other diplomas, so confirm with CUT. Mathematical Literacy is not accepted.

Source: View the official page (cut.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Durban University of Technology

No cut-off published

BEngTech Civil Engineering

Engineering & the Built Environment · 3 years

No points cut-off published for this one – see the note below.

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more) OR Technical Mathematics: level 5 (60% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more) OR Technical Sciences: level 5 (60% or more)
  • Combined Maths + Physical Science – DUT also requires your Mathematics and Physical Science percentages to add up to at least 120%.

Raw-confirmed 2026-10-04 against the DUT 2027 Study Opportunities entry-requirements table. DUT did not state a single APS number for this programme - the combined-subjects rule above is its real selection mechanism. Closes 30 September 2026. From DUT’s 2027 Study Opportunities prospectus. Applications go through the CAO (cao.ac.za), not directly to DUT; general closing date 30 September 2026 (fee R250 SA / R300 international).

Source: View the official page (dut.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

No cut-off publishedSelection programme

Diploma in Engineering Technology in Civil Engineering

Engineering & the Built Environment

No points cut-off published for this one – see the note below.

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more) OR Technical Mathematics: level 5 (60% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more) OR Technical Sciences: level 5 (60% or more)
  • Two more subjects – Two further recognised NSC 20-credit subjects at level 4.

New row, read directly from DUT’s 2027 Study Opportunities prospectus (dut-pass-3). Only 1st and 2nd choice CAO applicants are considered. Closes 30 September 2026. From DUT’s 2027 Study Opportunities prospectus. Applications go through the CAO (cao.ac.za), not directly to DUT; general closing date 30 September 2026 (fee R250 SA / R300 international).

Source: View the official page (dut.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Mangosuthu University of Technology

No cut-off published

Diploma in Civil Engineering

Engineering · 3 years

No points cut-off published for this one – see the note below.

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)

RAW-CONFIRMED by a second MUT document (the user-supplied Undergraduate Prospectus) - same subject minimums, still no single published APS number for this diploma across either document.

Source: View the official page (mut.ac.za) (opens the official page)

No cut-off published

Diploma in Civil Engineering (Extended Curriculum, 4 years)

Engineering · 4 years

No points cut-off published for this one – see the note below.

  • English: level 4 (50% or more) OR English: level 5 (60% or more)
  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)

Read 2026-10-04 from MUT’s own 2026 Engineering Faculty Prospectus: the 4-year Extended Curriculum Programme has the same subject minimums as the regular diploma (English 4 or 5, Mathematics 4, Physical Science 4) with a minimum total of 20 points.

Source: View the official page (mut.ac.za) (opens the official page)

No cut-off published

Civil Engineering Access Course (bridging)

Engineering

No points cut-off published for this one – see the note below.

  • English: level 4 (50% or more) OR English: level 3 (40% or more)
  • Mathematics: level 3 (40% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 3 (40% or more)

Read 2026-10-04 from MUT’s own 2026 First-Year Prospectus: a bridging access course for applicants who do not meet the diploma entrance requirements (Mathematics 3, Physical Science 3, English Home Language 4 or First Additional Language 3). It is not itself a diploma.

Source: View the official page (mut.ac.za) (opens the official page)

Nelson Mandela University

BEngTech Civil Engineering

Engineering, the Built Environment & Technology · 3 years

NMU Applicant Score (AS) 370 out of 600

  • Mathematics: 60% OR Technical Mathematics: 60%
  • Physical Sciences: 50% OR Technical Sciences: 50%

RAW-CONFIRMED against the user-supplied NMU Z-Card admissions summary. From NMU’s own faculty "UG Guide" PDFs, most of which are dated/closing in 2024 - apparently covering the 2025 intake, not independently confirmed as current for 2027 (NMU appears to roll these forward with the same structure each year, but treat the figures as "last confirmed" rather than "2027-verified"). No 2027 closing date is stated.

Source: View the official page (eleceng.mandela.ac.za) (opens the official page)

North-West University

BEng (all disciplines)

Engineering · 4 years

NWU APS 34 points out of 48

  • Mathematics: 70%
  • Physical Sciences: 70%
  • Language of tuition – Your language of tuition at 60%.

Duration (4 years minimum) and all three subject figures confirmed exactly against the user-supplied Faculty of Engineering 2026 Yearbook. NWU adds your six best subjects (excluding Life Orientation) on an 8-point scale, for a total out of 48 - read from NWU’s own APS calculator. The requirement shown is what NWU publishes. Also see https://engineering.nwu.ac.za/engineering/applications

Source: View the official page (engineering.nwu.ac.za) (opens the official page)

Stellenbosch University

Selection programme

BEng Civil Engineering

Engineering · 4 years

Stellenbosch aggregate 70 %

  • Mathematics: 70%
  • Physical Sciences: 60%
  • English: 50% if it is your Home Language, 60% if it is your First Additional Language

Every Stellenbosch programme is a selection programme. The figures shown are the published minimum requirements - the actual selection threshold is usually higher. The Engineering selection score is Maths% + Physical Sciences% + (6 x your average), out of 800. SU says 600 or more gave a good chance for some programmes and 620 or more for others - that is a historical guide, not a fixed cut-off. An extended (ECP) 5-year route exists. Afrikaans language combinations are also accepted. NBTs are not required for 2027 entry at SU, except for Law programmes, the School for Tomorrow, AHSD and online-school applicants.

Source: View the official page (files.su.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Tshwane University of Technology

Diploma in Civil Engineering

Engineering & the Built Environment · 3 years

TUT APS 26 points

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Engineering Graphics & Design – Recommended, not compulsory.

Raw-confirmed 2026-10-04 against TUT’s 2026 faculty prospectus: APS and subject levels match. Closes 30 September 2026. From TUT’s 2027 First-Year Course Information and General Information PDFs. Applications opened 1 April 2026 (fee R240).

Source: View the official page (tut.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

BEngTech Civil Engineering

Engineering & the Built Environment · 3 years

TUT APS 30 points

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Mathematics: level 5 (60% or more) OR Technical Mathematics: level 5 (60% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 5 (60% or more) OR Technical Sciences: level 5 (60% or more)

New row, read directly from TUT’s 2026 faculty prospectus (tut-pass-3). The required APS rises from 28 (2026) to 30 for the 2027 intake. Recommended: Engineering Graphics and Design, Civil Technology. Closes 30 September 2026 (TUT First-Year Course Information).

Source: View the official page (tut.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

University of Cape Town

BSc (Eng) Civil Engineering

Engineering & the Built Environment · 4 years

UCT Faculty Points Score 500 out of 600 (band a)

  • Mathematics: 80%
  • Physical Sciences: 70%

Band A (guaranteed offer) is an FPS of 500. Band B (likely offer) is a WPS of 480 - the WPS adds a 0-10% disadvantage factor that we cannot work out from your marks, so we only check you against Band A. Band C (420) applies to redress categories only. Mathematical Literacy and Technical Mathematics do not count as Mathematics, and Technical Sciences does not count as Physical Sciences. All students start on the 4-year curriculum and may move to the 5-year extended (ASPECT) curriculum. NBT Maths, AL and QL must be written but UCT states they are not taken into account for EBE admission.

Source: View the official page (uct.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

University of Johannesburg

BEng Civil Engineering

Engineering & the Built Environment · 4 years

UJ APS 32 points

  • English: level 5 if it is your Home Language, level 5 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 5 (60% or more) OR Technical Mathematics: level 5 (60% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 5 (60% or more)

CONFIRMED 2026-10-02 both by screenshots of each programme’s own live page and against the user-supplied 2027 Undergraduate Prospectus PDF (B6CS0Q/B6ES0Q/B6MS0Q): Civil, Electrical & Electronic, and Mechanical all share this exact APS 32 / English 5 (60%) / Mathematics or Technical Mathematics 5 (60%) / Physical Science 5 (60%) formula.

Source: View the official page (uj.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

BEngTech in Civil Engineering

Engineering & the Built Environment · 3 years

UJ APS 28 points

  • English: level 4 if it is your Home Language, level 4 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 5 (60% or more) OR Technical Mathematics: level 5 (60% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 5 (60% or more) OR Technical Sciences: level 5 (60% or more)

Read from the 2027 UJ Undergraduate Prospectus, page 60, programme code B6CV3Q. Physical Science or Technical Science accepted.

Source: View the official page (uj.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

University of KwaZulu-Natal

From an older document

BSc Eng Civil Engineering

Agriculture, Engineering & Science · 4 years

UKZN APS 33 points out of 48

  • Mathematics: 65%
  • Physical Sciences: 65%
  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Life Orientation: level 4 (50% or more)

The published APS range is 48-33. CONFIRMED 2026-10-02 for every discipline: a user-supplied copy of UKZN’s own Undergraduate Degree Requirements Guide lists Agricultural, Chemical, Civil, Computer, Electrical, Electronic and Mechanical Engineering as one merged table row sharing this exact entry text and APS range - so this is UKZN’s own stated position that all seven share the formula, not just an inference from Agricultural and Chemical’s own pages (both separately confirmed live, 2026-10-02). This comes from the Study@UKZN 2026 brochure, the most recent official source we could find. UKZN had not published a 2027 table when we checked, so treat these as 2026 figures pending a 2027 update. Applications go through the CAO.

Source: View the official page (studyatukzn.ukzn.ac.za) (opens the official page)

From an older document

BSc Engineering Access Programme

Agriculture, Engineering & Science · 5 years

No points cut-off published for this one – see the note below.

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Life Orientation: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)

CORRECTED 2026-10-02: a user-supplied copy of UKZN’s own Undergraduate Degree Requirements Guide states this programme is 5 years, not the 3 we previously showed. No APS is published for the Access Programme. This comes from the Study@UKZN 2026 brochure, the most recent official source we could find. UKZN had not published a 2027 table when we checked, so treat these as 2026 figures pending a 2027 update. Applications go through the CAO.

Source: View the official page (studyatukzn.ukzn.ac.za) (opens the official page)

University of Pretoria

BEng Civil Engineering

Engineering, Built Environment & IT · 4 years

UP APS 35 points

  • English: level 5 if it is your Home Language, level 5 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 6 (70% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 6 (70% or more)

Most UP closing dates are 30 June; Veterinary Science closes 31 May. Grade 12 applicants apply with their final Grade 11 results. A 5-year extended BEng route (previously ENGAGE) exists at APS 33 with English, Mathematics and Physical Sciences at 65%.

Source: View the official page (drupalwebprod-files.up.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

BEng 5-year programme (previously ENGAGE)

Engineering, Built Environment & IT · 5 years

UP APS 33 points

  • English: 65% if it is your Home Language, 65% if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: 65%
  • Physical Sciences: 65%

An extended route into any BEng discipline for students who meet these requirements but not the 4-year entry level. Most UP closing dates are 30 June; Veterinary Science closes 31 May. Grade 12 applicants apply with their final Grade 11 results.

Source: View the official page (drupalwebprod-files.up.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

University of South Africa

No cut-off published

Diploma in Civil Engineering

Science, Engineering & Technology

No points cut-off published for this one – see the note below.

  • English: level 4 if it is your Home Language, level 4 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more) OR Technical Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more) OR Technical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)

Read 2026-10-04 from Unisa’s own qualification page (code 90137). NSC with Diploma endorsement (or equivalent). Unisa states percentages, not an APS, on this page. Mathematical Literacy is not accepted. Confirmed current for the 2027 intake: Unisa’s own pages state its 2027 application window as 17 August - 9 October 2026.

Source: View the official page (unisa.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

University of the Witwatersrand

BSc (Eng) Civil Engineering

Engineering & the Built Environment · 4 years

Wits APS 42 points

  • English: level 5 if it is your Home Language, level 5 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 5 (60% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 5 (60% or more)

Wits notes that level 5 across the board means you are likely to be wait-listed; level 6 is advised. Confirmed unchanged by a direct fetch of the 2027 course-finder page (2026-10-01 spot-check).

Source: View the official page (wits.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Vaal University of Technology

Diploma in Civil Engineering

Engineering & Technology · 3 years

VUT APS 24 points

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)

The same APS and subject minimums apply across VUT’s mainstream Chemical, Civil, Industrial, Mechanical, Metallurgical, Electronic, Power, Process Control and Computer Systems Engineering diplomas - all are 3-year programmes. Raw-confirmed directly against the user-supplied 2027 Undergraduate Minimum Admission Requirements PDF. From VUT’s 2027 Undergraduate Minimum Admission Requirements PDF. Academic applications close 30 September 2026 (residences 31 October 2026); fee R110.

Source: View the official page (vut.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Diploma in Civil Engineering (Extended, 4 years)

Engineering & Technology · 4 years

VUT APS 22 points

  • English: level 3 (40% or more)
  • Mathematics: level 3 (40% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 3 (40% or more)

Read 2026-10-04 from the VUT 2027 Undergraduate Minimum Admission Requirements poster (page images). Extended 4-year diploma: APS 22 with at least level 3 in Mathematics, Physical Sciences and English. From VUT’s 2027 Undergraduate Minimum Admission Requirements PDF. Academic applications close 30 September 2026 (residences 31 October 2026); fee R110.

Source: View the official page (vut.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Walter Sisulu University

Diploma in Civil Engineering

Engineering, Built Environment & Information Technology · 3 years

WSU APS 24 points out of 48 (56 for Education programmes)

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)

Raw-read 2026-10-04 from WSU’s own 2027 Undergraduate Information Brochure & Admission Requirements (main-stream figures; Extended Curriculum Programmes accept a lower APS, noted where the brochure gives one). The earlier row showed APS 22, which is the Extended Curriculum figure; the main stream is APS 24 (ECP 22, one level lower in one of Mathematics, Physical Sciences or English). Applications: the brochure lists no closing date - check wsu.ac.za.

Source: View the official page (wsu.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

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