Electrical Engineering

By the end, you understand the maths and physics behind electricity, can analyse simple circuits, and know exactly how to qualify and register in South Africa. This path prepares you for formal study; it does not qualify you.

Career pathwayAbout 120 hours3 stagesFree

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Career pathway. This is a regulated career. Online learning gives you strong foundations and a clear plan, but you will need to study and register formally to work in it. The route is explained on this page.

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Electrical engineers design and manage power systems, electronics and control systems, from Eskom's grid to solar plants and factory machines. It is a regulated profession that needs a university degree or diploma.

Turn on JavaScript to track your progress. The lessons are:FoundationsBuild the base: maths, physical science and what electricity is.Task: Explain voltage, current and resistance with a water-pipe example, then solve ten Ohm's law problems and show your working.Core skillsLearn circuit analysis, power and electronics basics.Task: Using a free online circuit simulator (for example Falstad or Tinkercad), build series and parallel circuits and a simple LED circuit. Record the measured values and compare them with your calculations.Applied practicePrepare for formal study and the profession.Task: Research two universities and one university of technology offering electrical engineering. Write their entry requirements, bursaries you could apply for, and the ECSA registration route.

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What competent looks like

Solves basic circuit problems with Ohm's and Kirchhoff's laws
Understands AC versus DC and power
Uses a simulator to test designs
Knows the NSC maths and science marks needed
Knows the ECSA registration categories

The South African route

You need a BEng or BSc Eng (professional engineer), a BEngTech or diploma (technologist or technician), then ECSA registration after supervised work. Strong NSC Mathematics and Physical Sciences are required.

Free resources

Engineering registration information
ECSA
Circuits and electronics (free)
MIT OpenCourseWare
Physics and maths practice
Khan Academy

These links go to free courses and sites run by other organisations. We chose them in October 2026 but do not run them, so check costs, dates and entry requirements on their site. Broken link? Tell us.

Jobs it can lead to

Engineering student
Electrical engineering technician (after diploma)
Engineering intern
Technical assistant