Faculty of Engineering & Computing

Open Opportunities in Engineering

Often students realise late in the secondary school senior cycle that they really would like to follow a career in engineering. Unfortunately some find that because of earlier decisions, or constraints placed on them, they are not in a position to complete the higher level mathematics exam in the Leaving Certificate and achieve a HC grade, which is a requirement in professional Honours engineering degree programmes. An alternative to the normal route is available for a limited number of students through the DCU Open Opportunities course.

If you have given DCU Engineering a preference in the CAO you may declare an interest in the Open Opportunities in Engineering Course at any time by registering an expression of interest using the link below.

Registration on the Open Opportunities course is based on Leaving Certificate results but takes place outside the CAO Process after the First Round offers have been released. If you have registered a CAO preference for a DCU engineering programme and been unsuccessful in gaining a place in the standard way, you may be invited for interview to be considered for entry to the Open Opportunities course. To qualify for the interview, you must have met the standard DCU entry requirements, and have achieved at least an A2 in the Mathematics Leaving Certificate ordinary paper or a D3 in the higher paper. The interview will be conducted by DCU engineering staff, who will attempt to identify the elements that would indicate you have a reasonable chance of succeeding on a challenging Honours engineering programme – mathematical ability being at the top of the agenda. Other elements to be considered are Leaving Certificate points level, background in science and motivation.

Successful completion of the Open Opportunities course will result in performance-related transfer to Year 1 or Year 2 of one of the following B.Eng. programmes:

• DC191 - B.Eng. in Electronic Engineering (Bachelor Honours Degree)
   
• DC192 - B.Eng. Information & Communications Engineering (Bachelor Honours Degree)
   
• DC193 - B.Eng. in Mechatronic Engineering (Bachelor Honours Degree)
   
• DC197 - B.Eng. Medical Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor Honours Degree)
   
• DC199 - B.Eng. in Digital Media Engineering (Bachelor Honours Degree)
   
• DC200 - B.Eng. Common Entry to Engineering (Electronics)
   

Some common questions in relation to the Open Opportunities in Engineering Course may be found here: Frequently Asked Questions