Program Overview

Engineering - Professional Doctorate (DEng)

Brief Description

The University of Limerick offers a four-year, part-time Doctorate (DEng) in Engineering, designed for experienced professionals to enhance their career and become technical experts in their area of expertise. This Level 10 programme blends academic rigour with practical relevance, focusing on solving real-world problems.

Overview

During this programme, students will:

• Identify a problem significant to their industry or profession and propose an appropriate approach to solve the problem.
• Develop practical and academic skills to research the identified problem.
• Gain skills to formulate an effective solution to the problem.
• Contribute to theory and practice in their field and to the development of professional practice.

Programme Content

• Complete part-time over four years
• Blended delivery – online lectures and at least 1 on-campus day per semester
• Complete a Qualifier module to identify research topic before starting DEng
• Modules taught during spring, summer, and autumn semesters
• Participate in a 'Community of Practice' for peer-to-peer learning activities
• Submit dissertation at the end of the final semester and participate in the Viva Voce process to defend the work

Year 1

Spring Semester

• Engineering Doctorate Qualifier module (PP8001) introduces students to the requirements of a Professional Doctorate.
• Students must pass this Qualifier Module to gain access to the Doctoral programme.

Summer Semester

• Attend a residential week of face-to-face classes on campus at the end of May as part of the Generic and Transferable Skills Summer School.
• Complete summer modules online through the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), Brightspace.
• Research Networking: Developing an Academic Profile (CM8003)
• Digital/Data Research Management (CS8013)
• Research Integrity (ES8002)
• Research Ethics (LA8013)
• Planning Research and Publication (TL8003)
• Developing Ideas and Arguments: Writing into Academic Communities (TL8013)

Year 2

Autumn Semester

• Research Methods for Professional Practice 1 (CS8012)
• Research Dissertation 1 (PT8012)

Spring Semester

• Data Strategies and Analysis Techniques for Research 1 (PT8002)
• Data Strategies and Analysis Techniques for Research 2 (PT8022)
• Research Methods for Professional Practice 2 (PT8014)

Summer Semester

• Research Dissertation 2 (PT8013)
• Summer Report 1 (PT8003) focuses on the Literature Review Chapter of the Thesis.

Year 3

Autumn Semester

• Research Dissertation 3 (PT8023)

Spring Semester

• Research Impact & Dissemination (CS8007)
• Research Dissertation 4 (PT8024)

Summer Semester

• Research Dissertation 5 (PT8053)
• Summer Report 2 (PT8043) focuses on the Methodology chapter and an update of the Literature Review chapter.

Year 4

Autumn Semester

• Research Dissertation 6 (PT8005)

Spring Semester

• Research Conference/Workshop (CS8009)
• Research Dissertation 7 (PT8016)

Summer Semester

• Research Dissertation 8 (PT8073)
• Summer Report 3 (PT8063) focuses on showing students are following a suitable trajectory to complete their research.

Year 5

Autumn Semester

• Research Dissertation 9 (PT8007) supports students working towards their final Thesis Submission and Viva Voce.

Spring Semester

• Research Dissertation 10 (PT8008) supports students to complete their doctorate level dissertation.

Summer Semester

• Exam Board
• Graduation

Entry Requirements

• Applicants should hold a bachelor's degree (NFQ Level 8) with a second-honours, grade 1 (2.1) in a relevant or appropriate subject.
• Recognised prior learning (RPL) is also considered.
• Applicants must be living and working in Ireland and have an Irish contract of employment that meets or exceeds the duration of the apprenticeship.
• At least 5 years of relevant work experience is required.
• Applicants must successfully complete the qualifier module (Professional Portfolio PP8001) prior to being offered a place on the programme.

Fees

• EU: €6,950 per year
• Non-EU: €18,078 per year
• Year 2 fees are subject to change.

Funding

• Candidates and Companies who satisfy the eligibility criteria under Generation Apprenticeship can qualify for up to 90% funding of fees, subject to eligibility and availability.
• Companies can also apply for the Apprenticeship Employer Grant of €2000 per annum if they meet the eligibility requirements.

Graduate Profile

This programme can lead to promotion to senior level in the chosen area of expertise. Graduates have reported that the programme has profoundly elevated their research capabilities, deepened their respect for academic rigor, and refined their ability to address complex business challenges and foster innovative solutions.