University Of The Witwatersrand Department Of Mining Engineering, The School of Mining Engineering, within the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment at Johannesburg’s University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa is recognised as one of the top mining engineering schools and departments throughout the world.
Mining engineers play a key role in the planning, exploitation and excavation of mineral resources. Mining also requires the skills and technology of several other branches of engineering, which is why most of the curriculum for years one and two is common to all branches of engineering. The third and fourth years focus on mining engineering and include technical valuation, ventilation and environmental engineering, mine transport and rock mechanics.
The School’s programme is designed to provide the graduate with the engineering expertise that he or she will require as a mining engineer. As a result, the School has, in conjunction with the South African mining industry, developed a programme of postgraduate courses designed to cater for the needs of graduates. These include technical subjects for specialist skills in mining, mineral resource management and evaluation, and rock engineering, as well as management skills in evaluation techniques and fundamental mineral economic principles.
The School publishes an annual report regarding the developments within the School. You can download the School’s 2017 Annual Information Report here: Wits Mining Annual Review – 2017
Programme overview
The Bachelor of Science in Engineering – Mining (BSc(Eng) Mining) is a 4 year full-time degree.
Mining requires the skills and technology of a number of other branches of engineering and the curriculum for years one and two, in addition to the foundation in the basic sciences common to all branches of engineering, includes courses in civil, electrical and mechanical engineering, geology and surveying.
Third and fourth years are devoted mainly to mining engineering subjects and include courses in all aspects of mining such as technical valuation, ventilation and environmental engineering, mine transportation and rock mechanics.
The programme is primarily designed to provide the graduate with the engineering expertise which he or she will require as a mining engineer, though it is recognised that many graduates will eventually be employed as mine managers.
Subjects such as mine management principles and techniques help prepare graduates for the responsibilities they are likely to assume at an early stage in their career.
The final stage of the undergraduate programme is a mine design exercise in which the student is required to apply all the engineering knowledge he or she has acquired to the design of a mine, and to assess the economic feasibility and profit potential of the design. It should be noted that, by law, all persons working on mines require a certificate of fitness.
Career Opportunities
Plan, organise and manage the safest, most efficient way of extracting raw materials from the earth
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- Mine Manager
- Consulting Mining Engineer
- Mine Design Engineer
- Rock Engineer
- Blasting Engineer
- Environmental, Safety and Health Manager
- Mineral Resources Manager
- Project Manager
- Financial Analyst
Entry Requirements
Engineering and the Built Environment |
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| Programme | Minimum Admission Requirements | Selection procedures | |
| APS | Subjects & achieved scale | ||
| Bachelor of Science in Engineering BSc (Eng) (4 years) | English HL or 1st Add Lang – 5 Mathematics – 5 Physical Science – 5 | Note: Due to the limited number of places available, admission is not guaranteed. Selection will be based on final NSC results. Generally students who achieve at least 70% in Mathematics, Physical Science and English stand a greater chance of being accepted. | |
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40+ | ||
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42+ | ||
|
36+ | ||
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36+ | ||
|
40+ | ||
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40+ | ||
|
42+ | ||
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40+ | ||
| Bachelor of Engineering Science in the field of Digital Arts (3 years) |
42+ | English HL or 1st Add Lang – 5 Mathematics – 5 Physical Science – 5 |
Applicants will be required to complete additional selection criteria, e.g. workshop, interview. |
| Bachelor of Engineering Science in Biomedical Engineering BEngSc (BME) (3 years) |
42+ | English HL or 1st Add Lang – 5 Mathematics – 5 Physical Science – 5 |
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| Bachelor of Architectural StudiesBAS (3 years) |
34+ | English HL or 1st Add Lang – 4 Mathematics – 4 |
Acceptance is dependent on departmental selection procedures. Applicants are required to complete a written and graphic exercise and may be required to attend an interview. Applicants with a Wits APS of 34 and above may be accepted on this basis. Applicants with a Wits APS of between 29 and 33 may only be considered on the basis of exceptional exercise scores. The selection process for the BAS is conducted by a panel of senior academics from the School of Architecture and Planning, monitored by the Assistant Dean. Selection is based predominantly on performance against the selection exercise, interview and academic performance, although demographic balance is taken into consideration where a choice needs to be made between applicants scoring within the same range. |
| Bachelor of Science in Construction Studies BSc (CS) (3 years) Bachelor of Science in Property Studies BSc (PS) (4 years) |
36+ | English HL or 1st Add Lang – 5 Mathematics – 5 |
Provided that Mathematics and English pass at NSC Scale of Achievement Level 5. |
| Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Planning BSc (URP) (3 years) |
36+ | English HL or 1st Add Lang – 5 Mathematics – 5 |
Provided that Mathematics and English pass at NSC Scale of Achievement Level 5. |
Application Process
Your application
- You may apply for three programmes (degrees).
- Applications to Wits must enclose a non-refundable application fee of R100 (for international applicants, R700).
Documentation / Checklist
- Submit your Grade 11 report which must be signed and stamped by your school principal.
- If you have already matriculated, attach a copy of your matric certificate.
Submit your application, required documentation and application fee before the closing date.
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Faculty of Health Sciences (All programmes)
Bachelor of Architecture
Bachelor of Audiology
Bachelor of Speech-Language Pathology
30 September 2018
All other University programmes
Residence applications
Online applications
- Complete an online application to study at Wits
Course Costs
The average course costs for local students range from R34 000 to R62 000, depending on the course and the number of years of study.
Tuition fees are payable for each course for which a student is registered.