Master of Engineering in Civil Engineering: Focal Area in Geotechnical Engineering (Full-time) at Stellenbosch University

Programme overview

The MEng in Civil Engineering with a focal area in Geotechnical Engineering is a coursework programme on the Stellenbosch campus. It considers the design and behaviour of structures built on, in and with geomaterials such as soil and rock, with application to the stability of mining and industrial structures such as tailings dams and pit slopes, using laboratory work, numerical simulation and other methods.

Faculty: Engineering | Department: Civil Engineering | Duration: Two years | Intake: South African applications close 31 Jan 2027; international applications close 31 Oct 2026 | Study mode: full-time | Location: Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa

What you will study

Coursework MEng (Structured) of 180 NQF level 9 credits: a research assignment of at least 60 and fewer than 90 credits, required modules prescribed by the department chairperson for the balance, and possibly supplementary modules, offered in semester or block format. Typical research themes: cognitive biases in geotechnical design decisions; reliability-based design of tailings storage facilities; forensic analysis of failures; geohazard monitoring with fibre optics and satellites; geosynthetics; unsaturated soil and long-term slope stability.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Faculty of Engineering MEng (Structured): applicants must hold at least a BEng, a BScHons, another relevant four-year bachelor's degree, an MTech or a PGDip (Eng); or other academic qualifications and appropriate experience approved by the Faculty Board on the recommendation of the department chairperson. Selection is by the home department and is competitive; meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. A CV with three referees and the departmental form are required.

Requirements published at faculty level.

The application fee is R100 for South African citizens, permanent residents and refugee, asylum seeker and diplomatic status holders, and R400 for international applicants. Stellenbosch Business School applicants pay R1050 for the MBA and R850 for other SBS programmes. Some applicants are exempt; application fees are non-refundable.

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