Engineering (Electrical) Diploma

Full TimePart Time

Our Electrical Engineering programme covers the study and application of electricity, electronics and electromagnetism. You will learn about the uses of electricity and equipment for power generation and distribution.

This cutting-edge field involves the design of electronic circuits from basic household equipment to complex systems such as aircraft autopilots and state-of-the-art computers. Micro-electronics, the manufacture and repair of products like computers, microwaves and control systems, also falls within the field of Electrical Engineering.

The UniCollege difference

  • A minimum of 40 contact (face-to-face) hours for each full-time subject and 36 contact hours for each part-time subject
  • At UniCollege, you can study an additional 5th subject each year if you are a full-time student
  • A workplace readiness programme before each level

View our Civil, Mechanical and Millwright courses.

Career Opportunities

This programme will prepare you for many career opportunities in the field of electrical engineering such as:

  • Instrument Technician
  • Telecommunications
  • Electrician
  • Power Electronics
  • Design Engineering
  • Appliance Manufacturing and Installation
Course Outline

For each level, the first 4 subjects are compulsory. Full-time students can take an additional 5th subject per level.

  • National Certificate N4

Electrotechnics N4
Principles of electricity • DC-machines • AC-Theory • Transformers • AC-machines • Generation and supply of AC-Power • Measuring Instruments

Industrial Electronics N4
Kirchoff's Laws • Superposition and Thevenin's theorems • Series and parallel RLC-networks • Q-factor, bandwidth and complex notation • Basic atomic theory • PN-Junction theory • Semi-conductor diodes • Diode applications • Transistors • Amplification classes, coupling methods and feedback • Hybrid parameters • Uni-Junction and field effect transistors • Power control • Operational amplifiers • Function generator and oscilloscope • Transducers

Engineering Science N4
Kinematics • Angular motions • Dynamics • Statics • Hydraulics • Stress, strain and Young’s Modulus • Heat

Mathematics N4
Learn how to apply Mathematics in your trade subjects and interpret real world problems in various engineering fields.

Supervisory Management N4
Supervision and management • Planning, organisation, leading, control • Labour relations • Training and development • Financial compensation • Loss control and industrial housekeeping • Quality control

  • National Certificate N5

Electrotechnics N5
Learn how to maintain and operate DC machines at their highest performance level • Alternating current circuits • Operating principles and equivalent circuits of singlephase transformers on and without load • Connecting wattmeters in three-phase systems • Construction, operation and efficiency of single and three phase AC machines and their application • How electricity is supplied to consumers from generation power stations and factors affecting line efficiency

Industrial Electronics N5
Transistor amplifiers • Oscillators • Operational amplifiers • Measuring instruments and test equipment • Behaviour of an alternating quantity on RC-RL- and RLC-circuits • Power supplies • Single phase control systems • Transducers • Handling CMOS integrated circuits

Power Machines N5
Thermodynamics and heating of gases • Steam generation • Boiler efficiency • Steam condensors • Air pumps • Combustion of fuels • Compressors • Gas turbines • Velocity diagrams • Governors

Mathematics N5

Supervisory Management N5
Management as a science • Organisation structure • Employment and development of people • Training boards (SETAs) in industry • Occupational health and safety • Report writing and meetings • Production planning and improving productivity • Production costs • Quality control • Loss control • Grievances • Stress and time management

  • National Certificate N6

Electrotechnics N6
How to calculate, draw and construct various electrical circuits according to electrical standards and procedures • How to solve electrical problems and adhere to safety standards and procedures • Maintenance and fault finding in electrical circuits and machinery

Industrial Electronics N6
Transients • Transducers • Ultrasonics • X-rays and radio activity • Automatic inspection, testing and NDT • Electronic safety devices and power control • Thyristor devices and SCR speed control • Programmable logic controllers

Power Machines N6
Gas laws • Entropy • Carnot and Rankine cycles • Steam plant • Nozzles • Steam turbines • Gas turbines • Internal combustion engines • Air compressors • Refrigeration • The Otto cycle

Mathematics N6

Supervisory Management N6
Leadership models • Assertiveness • Labour relations • Personnel care • Group dynamics • Conflict • Problemsolving and decision-making • Performing appraisals and management by objectives • Accidents and risk control • Occupational Health & Safety Act and environmental regulations for workplaces • Computers and management information systems

Accreditation and Certification

Students write national examinations which are set and administered by the DHET. Successful students achieve the following certification which is conferred and issued by the DHET:

  • National Certificate: N4 Engineering Studies (SAQA ID: 66881)
  • National Certificate: N5 Engineering Studies (SAQA ID: 66960)
  • National Certificate: N6 Engineering Studies (SAQA ID: 67005)

Once you have successfully achieved all three N4-N6 certificates and have worked for 2 years (minimum of 2 670 hours) in an engineering environment, your logbook will be submitted to the DHET.

On receiving DHET approval, you receive the highly respected National N Diploma: Engineering Studies (SAQA ID: 67043).

Entrance Requirements

Grade 12 National Senior Certificate (NSC) or an appropriate National Certificate (N3) or equivalent

Course Factsheet