South African Business & Technology Institute
National N Diploma: Engineering Studies [N1-N6] Chemical Engineering

Johannesburg, South Africa

DEGREE TYPE

Diploma

DURATION

24 up to

30 months

LANGUAGES

English

PACE

Full time, Part time

APPLICATION DEADLINE

EARLIEST START DATE

Feb 2027

STUDY FORMAT

On-Campus

Key Summary

About: The National N Diploma in Engineering Studies (N1–N6) – Chemical Engineering at SABTI covers plant operation, chemical technology, water and wastewater treatment, process control, chemistry, engineering mathematics. Entry varies from Grade 9 to N5. The programme runs for 2 years or 2 years 6 months, offered full-time or part-time; exams require a completed Portfolio of Evidence and 80% attendance.

Career Outcomes: Graduates work as Chemical Engineers, Chemical Technologists, Process Controllers, Plant Operators, Laboratory Technicians, Environmental Officers, Water & Sanitation Technicians, Extractive Engineers, Biochemists, and in production, quality control, supervisory management, loss control, control systems across chemical and manufacturing sectors.

Program Description

The program caters for students who are interested in pursuing a career in the manufacturing of chemicals through management of the physical, thermal and chemical changes at an industrial scale.

Career Prospects

Biochemist, Laboratory Technician, Environmental Officer, Chemical Engineer, Process Controller, Water & Sanitation Technician, Extractive Engineer, Chemical Technologist.

Minimum Entry Requirements

N1: A Grade 9 Certificate with a pass in Mathematics and Natural Sciences

N2: A National Certificate: N1 Engineering Studies or

At least three applicable Grade 10 Instructional offerings at Higher or Standard Grade Level.
An equivalent qualification

N3: A National Certificate: N2 Engineering Studies or

At least three applicable Grade 11 instructional offerings at Higher or Standard Grade Level or
An equivalent qualification.

N4: An appropriate National Certificate: N3 Engineering Studies

A Senior Certificate with at least three instructional offerings which are applicable to the instructional offerings chosen by the candidate for the program
Equivalent qualification

N5: A National Certificate: N4 Engineering Studies

Equivalent qualification taking into account pre-requisites for instructional offerings

N6: A National Certificate: N5 Engineering Studies

Equivalent qualification taking into account pre-requisites for instructional offerings

Program Duration & Structure

The program is done within a period of two years or else two years six months. Each level should be done over a minimum of three months. The program is available in fulltime/part-time mode. The Structure is as follows:

N1-N2 Modules

Mathematics
Engineering Science
Plant Operation Theory
Water & Waste-water Treatment Practice

N3 Modules

Mathematics
Engineering Science
Plant Operation Theory
Water Treatment Practice

N4-5 Modules

Mathematics
Engineering Science
Chemical Plant Operation
Chemistry

N6 Modules

Mathematics
Power Machines
Chemical Technology
Chemical Plant Operation

Electives

Waste Water Treatment Practice N3
Foundry Theory N1
Production & Quality Control
Supervisory Management
Loss Control
Control Systems

National N Diploma: Engineering Studies

A minimum of 12 advanced instructional offerings; a maximum of five N4 instructional offerings.
Documentary proof of two years or 2670 hours of applicable experience in the engineering industry.
At least two instructional offerings at N6 level must be relevant to the vocation.

Examination Board, Certification & ICASS

External examinations are administered by the Department of Higher Education & Training (UMALUSI & QCTO). The examinations are National Examinations. Certificates are awarded by the Department of Higher Education & Training. (UMALUSI & QCTO). A student will only be allowed to write the final examinations upon completion of the Portfolio of Evidence (POE) and 80% class attendance.