Universities and Online Degrees Guide

Nelson Mandela University

Higher Certificate in Mechatronic Engineering

The Higher Certificate in Mechatronic Engineering in Engineering and Technology is offered by Nelson Mandela University.

Program Length: 1 YEAR.

This qualification has been approved in terms of the new Higher Education Qualification Sub-Framework (HEQSF).

Mechatronic Engineering is a fusion of Electrical and Mechanical engineering together with Information Technology. This qualification offers students the theoretical and practical knowledge, skills, and attributes required to operate effectively supporting Artisans, Technicians, Technologists, and Engineers in the field of Mechatronics. 

The focus of Mechatronic Engineering is in automated manufacturing, robotics, automated Programmable Logic Control Systems, Human Machine Interfaces, vehicle control, and more. 

Admission Requirements 

National Senior Certificate (NSC)

• Minimum NSC statutory requirements for higher certificate entry.
• Minimum Applicant Score of 330 for applicants with NSC Grade 12 Mathematics or Technical Mathematics. 
• NSC Achievement rating of at least 50% for Mathematics or Technical Mathematics.
• NSC Achievement rating of at least 50% for Physical Sciences or Technical Science.

National Certificate Vocational (NCV) in related vocational field

• Minimum NC(V)4 statutory requirements for higher certificate entry
• Minimum Applicant Score of 330 for applicants with NC(V)4 Mathematics. 
• NC(V)4 achievement rating of at least 40% for English, Afrikaans, or isiXhosa (Home Language or First Additional Language)
• NC(V)4 Achievement rating of at least 50% for Mathematics
• NC(V)4 Achievement rating of at least 70% for Physical Science.

Career Opportunities

Students who graduate with a Higher Certificate in Mechatronic Engineering qualification will be able to gain skills, especially in the integration of computer-based control, data acquisition, and monitoring, as applied to automated processes and get the levels to support artisans with these skills. This qualification gives students the ability to apply detailed techniques, procedures, practices, and codes, to solve Mechatronic engineering problems under the supervision of technicians, technologists, and engineers. 

Curriculum (Full-time) 

Semester 1

Mathematics 

Physical Science 

Electrotechnology I 

Mechanotechnology I 

Introduction to Computers 

Language Studies 

Semester 2

Electrotechnology II 

Mechanotechnology II 

Mechatronic Systems 

Manufacturing 

Mechatronic Project