Program Overview

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Common Entry into Engineering

DC200

Course Details

CAO Code: DC200

Course Type: Undergraduate

NFQ Level: 8

Delivery Modes: Full-Time

Minimum Points: 521

Duration: 4 years

Overview

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.

Why DCU

• There are 2,400 students in the faculty - more than a third are international students
• DCU is ranked No 1 in Ireland for Graduate Employment Rate
• DCU is ranked 19th globally for Graduate Employment Rate
• 91% of graduates are in employment or further education six months after graduation

Careers & Further Options

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: United States, Canada, Australia, China, Russia, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Philippines, Malaysia, Turkey, South Africa, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Ireland, United Kingdom, Costa Rica, Hong Kong China, Chinese Taipei, Peru, Korea.

DCU Career Services

"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."

Entry Requirements

Leaving Cert:

• 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.

GCE A Level:

• In addition to the general entry requirements for admission to the university the following entry requirements apply
• GCE A Level C Mathematics.

FET Level 5:

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

Mature Applicants:

• Mature entry is a competitive process and applicants must demonstrate:
  • a genuine interest in the subject area/programme(s) they are applying for
  • academic experience and/or evidence of competency in their chosen field of study
  • an ability to engage and succeed in the subject area/programme
• All applicants must complete a statement of interest to be considered for the mature application route.

Course Structure

Overview:

• After year one, students will transfer into one of the following course: Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Electronic and Computer Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Mechatronic Engineering or Mechanical and Sustainability Engineering.

Year 1:

• 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

• Full time: Student Contribution €3,043 (Year 1- 4), EU Status Fee €6,679 (Year 1 - 4), €6,670 (Year 5 Integrated Masters), Non EU Fee €16,400 (Year 1 - 4), €19,200 (Year 5 Integrated Masters)

How To Apply

Applicants presenting EU school leaving examinations (EU, EFTA & UK):

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

Applicants presenting examinations from outside the EU:

• To apply for this programme: Candidates should apply directly here.

Mature Applicants:

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

Life On Campus

Life on Campus:

• At DCU, our students can expect a unique campus experience. We are known for our excellent teaching and learning facilities, our active clubs and societies, and our great social and sporting facilities. All this makes DCU an exciting place to be.
• DCU has three academic campuses; Glasnevin, St. Patrick’s and All Hallows (both in Drumcondra), all close to Dublin City centre.
• They can be reached by public transport, Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann, with our Drumcondra campuses a ten minute walk from Drumcondra Train Station. Glasnevin is a 20 minute walk from St Patrick’s and All Hallows. They are also linked by Dublin Bus.
• Each campus has a library (O’Reilly, Cregan and Woodlock Hall), study spaces, restaurants, and on-campus residencies. There are sports facilities on Glasnevin and St. Patrick’s, and there is a dedicated sports campus, St Claire’s, located near Glasnevin on the Ballymun Road.
• Exceptional Facilities: DCU’s 19,000 students have access to exceptional teaching and learning facilities across our three academic campuses.
• These include modern learning theatres, research centres, a new media and TV studio, radio/podcast studios, computer suites and advanced labs in the areas of Languages, Engineering, Physics, Chemistry and Biotechnology, as well as a Sports Performance centre and a training hospital ward. In 2021, we opened our first virtual reality ‘Leadership Lab’, which is located in our Business School.
• We continue to improve and update our facilities. For example, construction of a new world-class STEM facility is underway on the Glasnevin campus. With capacity for an extra 3,000 STEM students, this facility will advance DCU’s international reputation for excellence in science and health, computing and engineering disciplines.

FAQs

• 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).
• 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).
• 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.