Students walking down steps
DC200

Common Entry into Engineering

Course Details

CAO Code:
DC200
Course Type:
Undergraduate
NFQ Level:
8 - Please see www.qqi.ie for further information
Delivery Modes
Full-Time
Minimum Points
521
Duration:
1 yr
Phone:
+353 (0) 1
01 7005104

Do you want to create, innovate and make a lasting impact on the world? Are you a critical thinker who’d love to be part of a team solving real-world problems? Choose engineering.

Overview

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Maybe right now you’re just as interested in robotics as you are in renewable energy. That’s OK. It’s why we have a common entry programme for engineering. You’ll spend first year building a strong engineering foundation across maths, materials engineering and basic sciences, while also building skills like logical and critical thinking. 

Then you’ll specialise in second year, going on to a challenging, cutting-edge course where you’ll build real expertise, whether that’s in mechatronics or sustainability engineering. Through lectures, labs, individual and group work, you’ll get hands-on experience with modern manufacturing processes, design, simulation and analysis procedures, and get skilled in programming and electronics. 

In third year, you’ll go on a six- or 10-month INTRA work placement in Ireland or abroad in companies like Facebook, IBM, Intel, Google, Airbus and Pfizer.

And once you graduate, you may qualify to go straight on to complete a masters in your chosen field of engineering. Either way, your qualification is accredited and accepted globally, so you can bring your knowledge, skills and innovative mindset anywhere

DCU People

Shows Nigel Kent, Assistant Professor, School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering at DCU
Nigel Kent
Staff

I'd recommend this course to prospective students because of the breadth of options in the first year.


Read more about Nigel Kent

Careers & Further Options

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Careers

Our Engineering degree programmes have international recognition through agreements with Engineers Ireland. This enables graduates to practice as professional engineers in many countries, both in the EU and in the signatory countries to the Washington Accord.

Current signatories to the Washington Accord include: Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Ireland (Engineers Ireland), Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, The UK & The USA.

"DCU graduates are highly sought after by employers. Our Graduates work in environments ranging from large multinationals to SMEs, family businesses and start-ups across every sector.

DCU Careers Service has a number of learning and development initiatives in place for our students, giving them the skills they need for a successful career path." 

Go to our Careers site to find out more about career planning, our mentorship programme, skills development and online resources for students when working on CVs and making applications.

Entry Requirements

Entry Requirements Icon

In addition to the general entry requirements for admission to the university the following entry requirements apply

Minimum of H4 Mathematics or H4 Applied Mathematics with H5 Mathematics.

In addition to the general entry requirements for admission to the university the following entry requirements apply

GCE A Level C Mathematics.

Please visit our Admissions webpage for details on course requirements or how to apply to DCU.

 

Please visit our QQI FET webpage for details on DCU courses, open days, campus tours or school visits.

 

To apply to DCU, please visit www.cao.ie.

 

No Entry Path 

 

International candidates are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to those outlined above. In addition, where such candidates are non-native speakers of the English language they must satisfy the university of their competency in the English language. Click here for further information on international applications.

Course Structure

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Core Subjects

  • Professional Development
  • Project & Technical Drawing
  • Software Development
  • Engineering Mechanics-Statics
  • Electronics
  • Numerical Problem Solving
  • Materials Engineering
  • Basic Sciences for Engineering

Year 1 Optional Subjects

  • French
  • Multilingualism
  • Spanish

 

Fees and Funding

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Fees

Student Contribution.
€3,043 (Year 1- 4)
EU Status Fee
€6,679 (Year 1 - 4), €6,450 (Year 5 Integrated Masters)
Non EU Fee.
€16,000 (Year 1 - 4), €18,600 (Year 5 Integrated Masters)

How To Apply

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Apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO) by 1st February or 1st May

To apply for this programme:
Candidates should apply directly here. Here's a quick step by step guide if you need help with your application.

Please provide 

  • Academic Transcripts for each and every year of study with English translation, if applicable.
  • If applicable, provide evidence of competence in the English language as per DCU entry requirements.  Please see link http://www.dcu.ie/registry/english.shtml

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis up to 1st July. All Non-EU candidates are advised to apply early, as places are limited.

 

All mature applicants apply through the CAO by 1st February. For further information and for special application procedures for mature students, please click here

No Entry Path 

Candidates required to apply through the CAO can apply online at www.cao.ie
 

Life On Campus

Life on Campus
DCU Campus Glasnevin

DCU Glasnevin Campus

FAQs

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If I go into common entry Engineering, am I guaranteed to get my favourite discipline at the end of first year ?

To date, we have had sufficient places in all of our programmes to be able to accommodate all students on their preferred programmes. If this isn't possible we will allocate students their 2nd choice. However, If you know you are interested in a specific engineering course such as Electronic and Computer Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Mechatronic Engineering, Mechanical and Sustainability Engineering or Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering you should apply for your preferred course as your first choice on the CAO to guarantee your place on the programme in second year (should there be too many students who choose your preferred programme). 

If you choose your preferred programme as your first choice on the CAO and after year one you feel it is not for you, you can move into one of the other engineering courses.  

All of our Engineering courses are 4-year programmes. It is also worth noting that we have an integrated 5th-year option. Our integrated degree allows students to lengthen their paid work experience, complete one final year project and graduate with a masters degree (a necessary requirement to become a chartered engineer). Students can transfer into our 5-year programme in year 3. 

 

I am interested in studying Engineering and was wondering which courses have a work placement module?

All of our Engineering courses have a paid work placement of at least 6 months (10 months if you are doing the five-year integrated master's degree). 

Work placement commences in third year and constitutes an important part of the programme of study. You will liaise with our INTRA office to organise a suitable placement for you that fits within the programme you are studying. In the past, many students have been hired by their work placement companies after they have graduated.  It is a wonderful learning experience and gives students the opportunity to put their learning into practice.  

 

I don’t study Engineering for the Leaving Cert, would this put me at a disadvantage to the other people in the course?

No, you do not need engineering for the Leaving Cert and you will not be at any disadvantage. Any skills from the Leaving Cert engineering course that are required on the programme will be covered in the first year.

 

Do you have any Civil Engineering courses?

DCU do not offer Civil Engineering courses here in DCU. DCU offers Electronic and Computer Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Mechatronic Engineering, Mechanical and Sustainability Engineering and Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering.

Students will learn about materials and material properties that are used in the construction of many products including buildings, bridges, vehicles, electronics, implants, etc.

 

I am interested in a career in sustainability. Does DCU offer any engineering modules in sustainability?

There are a number of modules in first year and second year where sustainability and energy systems are introduced and discussed. Our INTRA work placement gives students the option to apply for a period of work with companies in the sustainability, energy and transport areas. Students in their final year can develop their thesis in sustainability, energy and transport areas. 

DCU also offers a BEng in Mechanical and Sustainability Engineering for students who care deeply about the environment, but would also like to finish university as a mechanical engineer with additional skills in sustainability

 

How many hours a week would you generally spend in lectures for the Engineering courses?

The Engineering programmes are busy and focused. Our students spend 25 - 35 hours a week on the Glasnevin campus (Monday – Friday) attending a combination of lectures, lab work and tutorials and working on their projects.

 

Is the Maths in Engineering similar to the Maths for higher level Leaving Cert?

First-year Maths builds on Leaving Cert higher level Maths and then more advanced topics are covered in subsequent years. That said, you will have degree options available to you with different levels of Maths content, so you can choose whatever suits you best.  

DCU has a Maths Learning Centre on campus for those students who need help working through mathematical problems; it is free of charge and provides great support to students struggling with this subject.