| Qualification code: | 90140 |
| NQF level: | 6 |
| Total credits: | 360 |
| SAQA ID: | 115928 |
| APS/AS: | 18 |
| Maximum time to complete this qualification: | 8 years |
Purpose statement:
The specific purpose of this qualification is to build the necessary knowledge, understanding, abilities and skills required for further learning towards becoming a competent practising professional engineering technician. This qualification provides: Preparation for careers in engineering and areas that potentially benefit from engineering skills, for achieving technical proficiency and competency to contribute to the economy and national development. Learners to register as a professional engineering technician with ECSA. Possible admission to an appropriate Advanced Diploma NQF Level 7 qualification, or equivalent. The constituents from industry via advisory committee meetings for mining engineering endorses this qualification. The institution embarked on the generation of the curriculum transformation framework "Doing Science, Engineering and Technology in Africa, for Africa" to develop local products and technologies and engineering solutions. The 360 credit Diploma in Mining Engineering is part of a group of new qualifications in Engineering Technology focused on decolonialisation and curriculum transformation. The qualification will attract more international learners, especially from Africa, leading to an improved international scholarly output. Professional Engineering Technicians apply established and newly developed engineering technology to solve well-defined problems and develop components, systems, services and processes. This qualification plans to address the current engineering skill shortage by allowing workers in the field to upgrade their qualifications via self-study, a facility that is not available through any other institution. This qualification aims to meet the educational requirement towards registration as a Candidate or Professional Engineering Technician with the Engineering Council of South Africa.
This qualification contains modules with work-integrated learning and practical components, which will require you to spend time away from your home and responsibilities, to gain the required industry exposure through applying your theoretical understanding in a workplace. You will be expected to complete tasks which will reflect your experience and skills gained while in the workplace. These tasks will be formally assessed and grades awarded.
Your admission to Unisa is dependent on you meeting the specific admission requirements for your chosen qualification.
A National Senior Certificate (NSC) (Diploma endorsement) with a rating of 4 in Mathematics or Technical Mathematics (not Mathematical Literacy), English, Physical Science or Technical Science, and either an Engineering and Technology or Computer subject; or N4 Mathematics and Engineering Science with minimum mark of 50%,
or
a Senior Certificate (prior to 2008) with Mathematics, Physical Science and English with at least a D symbol on the Higher Grade or C symbol on the Standard Grade or N4 Mathematics and Engineering Science with a minimum mark of 50%,
or
a NC(V) National Certificate (Vocational) (Diploma endorsement) with English, Mathematics and Engineering Science with a minimum mark of 50%,
or
a Higher Certificate in relevant field.
Applicants who would like to apply for admission through recognition of prior learning (RPL) must be at least 27 years old; have completed at least Grade 10; and have at least five years' relevant work experience in the study field in which they would like to apply for admission to a qualification. For more information on RPL criteria visit: http://www.unisa.ac.za/rpl
Applicants who do not comply with the above requirements should consider applying for a lower level qualification for which they meet the statutory and additional requirements.
Study material for this qualification will only be available online.
Pay the application fee once you've received your student number:
Please note that this application fee is non-refundable even if you decide not to study through Unisa, do not qualify for admission to Unisa or cannot be offered a space due to limited spaces available.
Click here to find out more about Unisa's student fees, and the bursaries and loans for Unisa students.
Apply for admission to undergraduate qualifications for the 2026 academic year between 18 August and 10 October 2025.
Please take note of the following:
Unisa will send the necessary information about registration dates and the registration process to all successful applicants who have confirmed their acceptance of Unisa's offer. Visit www.unisa.ac.za/register for registration information.