Higher Certificate in Mechatronic Engineering at Nelson Mandela University

Programme overview

This programme provides an introduction to Mechatronics and Automation. The course includes carefully selected applied Mathematics, Science and Engineering content to fast-track learning to the required level. The purpose of this programme is to equip students with the necessary skills to function in a supporting role to engineering teams in the automation sector comprising artisans, technicians, technologists, and engineers.

Faculty: Engineering, the Built Environment and Technology | Duration: 1 years | Study mode: full-time | Location: Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, South Africa

What you will study

The Higher certificate in Mechatronic Engineering (an engineering discipline which is a fusion of Electrical and Mechanical engineering as well as Information Technology) is primarily vocational in nature, but with a high conceptual focus and balance between theoretical and practical integration providing graduates with the required knowledge, skills and attributes to operate effectively in a supporting role to Artisans, Technicians, Technologists and Engineers in the field of Mechatronics in automated manufacturing industries . Mechatronic Engineering includes but is not limited to all automated manufacturing, robotics, automated Programmable Logic Control Systems, Human Machine Interfaces, vehicle control and engine management systems and maintenance of said systems. The published curriculum is an NQF Level 5 qualification of 140 credits.

Career pathways

Career fields listed on the page: Civil Engineering Technologists, Electrical Engineering Technologists, Industrial Engineering Technologists, Mechanical Engineering Technologists, Marine Engineering Technologists.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Minimum APS: 330. ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS Minimum NSC statutory requirements for Higher certificate entry must be met. An applicant with NSC Grage 12 Mathematics or Tecchnical Mathematics Requires a minimum Applicant Score of 330. NSC Achievement rating of at least 50% for Matahematics or Tecnical Mathematics. NSC Achievement rating of at leat 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 must be met An applicant with NC(V)4 Mathematics requires a minimum Applicant Score of 330 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 Sciences NC(V)4 cognate fields of study (only the following NC(V) fields can be considered for admissions): • Civil Engineering & Building Construction • Engineering & Related Design • Electrical Infrastructure Construction • Mechatronics

Tuition is charged per module, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Applications for the 2027 academic year opened on 13 April 2026. Applications for MBChB, Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Nursing Extended, BPharm and Bachelor of Radiography (Diagnostic) close on 30 June 2026.

Early applications for 2027 (excluding MBChB, Nursing, BPharm and BRad) close on 03 August 2026; late applications close on 30 September 2026.

International student applications for 2027 (excluding MBChB, BPharm and BRad) close on 30 September 2026. The application fee for international students is R500 per year; online applications by South African applicants carry no application fee.

Student accommodation applications for 2027 close on 30 September 2026.

2026 down-payments before registration: R10 600 full-time (R6 200 part-time) for degrees, postgraduate diplomas, advanced diplomas, Masters and Doctorates; R7 500 full-time (R5 200 part-time) for diplomas and certificates; enrolment fee R1 770. International students pay 100% upfront.

Apply through the official page: https://applyonline.mandela.ac.za

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