Frequently Asked Questions, and answers, about our Civil Engineering Application Requirements.

• What marks do you need to be considered for civil engineering?

  For civil engineering, you need 75% plus for mathematics and 70% plus for physical science with FPS 500 to be confident of being accepted. You can find the admission requirements and how you work out your FPS score on the Applying website 

• Can your 2024 June marks be used to apply if some Grade 11 marks were not good enough to get in?

  If your Grade 11 results are not good enough for a conditional offer, we will wait for your June, or September results and if you meet the requirements we can make a conditional offer. If not we will wait for your final exam results and make a firm offer if you met the requirements. 

• Does civil engineering have anything to do with architecture?

  Architects  are responsible for the design and planning of structures ranging from houses and factories to skyscrapers and museums. Civil engineers  oversee the entire design-to-completion process for buildings, roads, dams, bridges, water systems, and other major works. At UCT there is a Bachelor of Architectural Studies degree and a BSc in Civil Engineering degree. 

• What does structural engineering consist of specifically? Where can it take you career-wise?

  Structural engineering is a branch of civil engineering, and its applications are diverse. A great deal of what structural engineers do involves designing structures such as buildings, bridges, tunnels, etc. ... They also inspect structures both during and after construction to ensure that they are properly constructed.

• How can Civil Engineers contribute to the making of renewable energy sources?

  There are various ways towards this. One is via generating tools that could assist in decision-making processes for more sustainable use of materials and design of systems that generate products that could be recovered. an example is designing wastewater treatment plants that can generate methane for energy, struvite for phosphorus and water that could be reclaimed

• How do the requirements vary for international exams such as Cambridge A level exams?

  Please visit our Entrance Requirements web page to see what the requirements are for international qualifications.

• Is the UCT civil engineering  degree only recognised in South Africa or is it internationally recognised?

  The degree is accredited by the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA). This means they are recognised as meeting the educational requirements for registration as a Professional Engineer in South Africa. International recognition of these programmes is provided through the Washington Accord, which was signed in 1999. 

• I am a South African student taking the Cambridge syllabus. Are the AS and A level exams sufficient to apply or do I have to source NSC/IEB exams?

  The Cambridge syllabus is accepted, however, you will still need to qualify for matric exemption which is a separate application to UCT.  It is done via Universities South Africa.

  You find the AS and A-level admission requirements on our web page 

• For international students who have a Diploma in Civil Engineering,   what is the minimum requirement for admission?

  There are different requirements and you would need to apply in order to have your application assessed.

• I am studying civil engineering (construction) in high school now, I am doing technical science instead of physical science, will that have some kind of impact?

  Yes - for acceptance into civil engineering you need to have at least 70% for physical science.