Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
View our video on our BEng and MEng in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering here:
This course combines two distinct fields, Mechanical Engineering and Manufacturing Engineering, to create the foundation for a versatile career.
Mechanical Engineering focuses on the design, manufacture and operation of products that have moving parts. Aircraft, automobiles, more fuel-efficient systems and cheaper electricity all come to mind. Manufacturing Engineering, meanwhile, concentrates on converting materials from one form to another. It's about manufacturing processes and systems, ranging from basic assembly (e.g., car tyres) or high-tech manufacture (jumbo jets).
The programme also prepares you for the challenges of mechanical and manufacturing engineering using the most sophisticated computer techniques and tools.
Students have the option to complete the course in four years and earn a Bachelor’s degree or study for an additional year an earn a Master’s in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering which is the minimum requirement to earn a professional title and become a chartered Engineer with Engineer's Ireland. Student's who decide to pursue an integrated Master's Degree specialise in one of the following areas: Simulation-driven Design, Advanced Manufacturing, Biomedical Engineering or Sustainable Systems and Energy. Find out more here.
With the increased use of computer simulation and analysis techniques being used throughout all engineering companies, I felt it was important to do a course where I would learn about many of these techniques. I felt that DCU had the right balance of lecture to practical based teaching, which best suited my style of learning. With the courses' heavy emphasis on computational techniques for both drafting and analysis, the experience gained at DCU and during the 6-month work placement greatly increased my employment potential, which has been borne out. After completing my degree, I moved to Japan and started work as a Design Engineer for an automotive component company.
Mechanical and Manufacturing engineering go hand in hand, but each is quite distinct. Mechanical engineering focuses on the efficient use of material, strength, structure, movement in the manufacture and operation of products and systems. Manufacturing engineering, meanwhile, concentrates on converting materials from one form to another, the processes and systems, ranging from basic assembly (e.g. inhalers) to high-tech manufacture (e.g. electric vehicles). With the two disciplines combined, this degree offers an impressive background in engineering.
The four-year BEng (Honours) degree has four academic themes, with each theme addressing a particular aspect of mechanical and manufacturing engineering. Students have the option to do a fifth year and graduate with a Masters.
The themes are:
Fundamental Skills - Mathematics, Computing, Data Analytics, Simulation
Engineering Mechanics - Machines, Materials, Thermofluids, Dynamics and Control
Design and Manufacture - Product Design, Manufacturing Processes and Systems, Lean and Six Sigma
Professional - Project Management, Professional Development, Work Placement, Ethics
An average mark over 50% in Years 1 and 2 gives you the option to transfer to the integrated 5-year Masters programme where, in addition to the longer paid work placement (INTRA) for 10 months, the extra modules in the Year 5 allows you a choice to graduate with an option of Majors.
This degree offers:
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.
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.
With the increased use of computer simulation and analysis techniques being used throughout all engineering companies, I felt it was important to do a course where I would learn about many of these techniques. I felt that DCU had the right balance of lecture to practical based teaching, which best suited my style of learning. With the courses' heavy emphasis on computational techniques for both drafting and analysis, the experience gained at DCU and during the 6-month work placement greatly increased my employment potential, which has been borne out. After completing my degree, I moved to Japan and started work as a Design Engineer for an automotive component company.
As a DCU graduate, you’ll be highly sought after, both in Ireland and abroad, in industries such as:
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Aerospace: aircraft and spacecraft design, aircraft maintenance, aircraft engine overhaul (Airbus, Lufthansa Airmotive)
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Automotive: design, manufacturing and testing of cars, buses, trucks, etc, and components used in the auto industry (Ford, GKN)
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Biomedical: design and manufacture of medical devices and medical equipment (Boston Scientific, Medtronic)
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Manufacturing: design of consumer products, the manufacturing process and the machinery to manufacture goods (Hewlett Packard, Intel, Dyson)
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Power generation: design, operation and control of generating machinery (ESB)
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Product design
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Maintenance and management of industrial equipment
- Academic research, industrial research and development work
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 equivalent qualifications is as follows:
|
Relevant Higher Certificate/National Certificate |
(Distinction) | First year |
| Relevant Higher Certificate/National Certificate | (Merit plus Experience) | First year |
|
Relevant Bachelor (Ordinary) Degree/National Diploma |
(Merit or Better) |
Second year |
| Relevant Bachelor (Ordinary) Degree/National Diploma | (Distinction plus a possible interview) | Third year |
Please apply directly to DCU using the R10 form. Closing date for applications 1st July.
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.