Common Entry into Engineering
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First year programme co-ordinators: kevin.mcguinness@dcu.ie / james.carton@dcu.ie / nigel.kent@dcu.ie
View our video on our Common Entry into Engineering programme here:
Engineers invent and design things, they make things work and analyse and solve problems, often using mathematical and software tools. Their impact on the world is pervasive and often pioneering.
Engineering solutions help patients with enhanced diagnostic imaging, improved hearing devices, better blood vessel implants and laser surgery. Engineering solutions continue to improve the way we live, driving advances in digital technology, such as the Internet of Things and Smart Cities, that have the possibility of revolutionising how we interact with technology, while at the same time improving sustainability through advances in areas such as energy efficiency and green energy technologies. Some of the most recent and exciting innovations in the energy sector, including wave energy converters, bioreactors and combined heat and power units, are also the work of engineers.
If you’re interested in engineering, but haven’t yet made a choice between courses, the Common Entry into Engineering (Undenominated Entry) option is designed to help you make a decision while still earning credit towards your ultimate degree.
The Common Entry into Engineering (Undenominated Entry) offers a common first year with all other engineering courses. On completion of the common first year, you may choose to pursue one of the following honours degrees:
- BEng and MEng in Mechanical and Manufacturing (DC195)
- BEng and MEng in Electronic and Computer Engineering (DC190)
- BEng and MEng in Biomedical Engineering (DC197)
- BEng and MEng in Mechatronic Engineering (DC193)
- BEng and MEng in Sustainable Systems and Energy (DC194)
Please note that common entry does not mean an extra year added to the course; after completion of the one-year Common Entry into Engineering course, you’ll continue in the second year of your chosen degree course.
View the current course structure
Life on Campus
We have three academic campuses close to Dublin City centre - they are located in Glasnevin and Drumcondra, and can be reached by public transport (Dublin Bus).
Each campus has libraries, study spaces, restaurants, and on-campus residencies. Sports facilities are located on two of the academic campuses. We also have a dedicated sports campus in the form of St Claire’s.
Exceptional facilities
DCU students have access to exceptional teaching and learning facilities across our three academic campuses.
These include modern learning theatres, research centres, television and radio/podcast studios, classrooms, computer suites and advanced labs in the areas of languages, engineering, physics, chemistry and biotechnology, as well as a sports performance centre and training hospital ward. In 2021, we opened our first virtual reality ‘Leadership Lab’, which is located in our Business School.
Construction on our FutureTech building on the Glasnevin campus will get underway in 2022. Once completed, this facility will advance DCU’s international reputation for excellence in science, computing and engineering disciplines. It will have the capacity to accommodate an additional 3,000 STEM students on the university’s Glasnevin campus.
Campus life
Among the student facilities in DCU are a sports complex with a 25 metre pool, three libraries and The Helix, our renowned performing arts centre.
In 2018, a purpose-built state-of-the-art new student centre - The U - was opened. This centre serves the needs of a rapidly growing student body of 18,500 and is home to the Student Leadership and Lifeskills Centre, performing arts and cultural spaces for students and the wider community, and an Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub.
DCU Students' Union and the Office of Student Life are also based in the U. The centre is a space for students where they can meet, with lots of charging points and isolation booths. Clubs and socs avail of meeting rooms here and it's also home to DCUFM. NuBar, Londis and the Venue are also located here.
There are more than 140 clubs and societies for students in DCU, with ‘Clubs & Socs’ days taking place on both the Glasnevin and Drumcondra campuses at the start of the academic year.
Student Supports
We have a number of academic, professional and social supports for students.
Student Advice Centre: Offers a wide range of supports and services to students
The Writing Centre - drop-in writing workshops for students through the academic year
Maths Learning Centre - provides maths support for students of all ability levels with maths modules
Student Learning: facilitate the transition from passive to active learning for students at DCU, by teaching study skills, nurturing critical thinking and building student confidence.
Careers work with students to help them on their professional journey into graduate employment.
Our student support team offers a comprehensive support programme, helping students make that all important transition into university life and focusing on building confidence and skills which are key to success at third level.
As an engineer, you can find yourself at the heart of just about any field, from high-tech industry and medicine to financial services, energy-aware technologies and biotechnology—the cutting-edge dynamic industries of tomorrow.
After you complete your first year Common Entry you will move into one of the listed degree programmes across both the School of Electronic Engineering or the School of Mechanical and Manufacturing. Please view careers listed under each programme.
Requirements
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
For details of QQI requirements and relevant codes please click here. Simply enter the DC code for the programme you are interested in or if you are not sure of the code enter DC in the Select by Institution option, then click on Go.
The engineering schools consider transfer requests based on the performance of the candidate. The overall
set of guidelines which is in use for HETAC/NCEA equivalent qualifications is as follows:
Qualification Possible Point of Entry
|
Relevant Higher Certificate/National Certificate |
First year | (Distinction) |
| Relevant Higher Certificate/National Certificate | First year | (Merit plus Experience) |
|
Relevant Bachelor (Ordinary) Degree/National Diploma |
Second year |
(Merit or Better) |
| Relevant Bachelor (Ordinary) Degree/National Diploma | Third year | (Distinction plus a possible interview) |
Applications are made via the CAO Advanced Entry route which will open on the 1st Feb to the 1st May 2022.
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. For further information on international applications click here.