Chemical Engineering N1 - N6 is an area of engineering that applies physical sciences (physics and chemistry), life sciences (microbiology and biochemistry), together with applied mathematics and economics to produce, transform, transport, and properly use chemicals, materials, and energy. This qualification is designed to provide the theory of Chemical Engineering. You can attain a National Certificate or Diploma once you have worked 24 months.

Career Option

What qualification will I obtain once I’ve completed this course?

  • Chemical Engineer
  • Chemical Process Engineer
  • Chemical Process Operator
  • Laboratory Assistant
  • Water Technician

In which industries will I be able to work?

​Chemical manufacturers and other industries such as:

  • petroleum refining,
  • synthetic fuel manufacture,
  • food processing,
  • brewing,
  • minerals processing,
  • paper and pulp
  • pollution control
  • manufacture of synthetic fibers,
  • fertilizers and explosives such organizations as CSIR, AECI, Eskom, Sasol, NECSA, Sentrachem
  • Atomic Energy Board
  • Council for Mineral Technology (Mintek)
  • government departments
  • universities lab assistant​ 

Programme Structure

 N1 Certificate
  • Mathematics
  • Engineering Science
  • Plant Operation theory
  • Waste Water Treatment
N2 Certificate
  • Mathematics
  • Engineering Science
  • Plant Operations
  • Waste Water Treatment
N3 Certificate
  • Mathematics
  • Engineering Science
  • Plant Operations
  • Waste Water Treatment
N4 Certificate
  • Mathematics
  • Engineering Science
  • Chemistry
  • Chemical Plant Operation
N5 Certificate
  • Mathematics
  • Power Machines
  • Chemistry Technology
  • Chemical Plant Operation
N6 Certificate
  • Mathematics
  • Power Machines
  • Chemistry Technology
  • Chemical Plant Operation

Admission Requirements

What do I need to have completed before I can apply to study this course?

  • N1 Entry Requirement: Grade 10 (Std 8) Certificate with a pass in Mathematics and Physical Science OR no formal qualification for everyone 23 years or older.
  • N3 Entry Requirement: Grade 11 (Std 9) Certificate with a pass in Mathematics and Physical Science or N2.
  • N4 Entry Requirement: Matric/Grade 12 (with full mathematics and science 40%+ Pass rate), or N3 Pass (with mathematics and science)

Note: Proceed to the next level only when the previous level has been successfully completed i.e. N4 for N5, etc.