Program Overview

Overview of the M.Sc. in Engineering

The M.Sc. in Engineering is designed to provide graduate engineers with specialist understanding in one of the following areas: Environmental Engineering, Structural and Geotechnical Engineering, Transport Engineering, or Sustainable Energy Engineering. This course is accredited by Engineers’ Ireland, which is a member of the European Network for Accreditation of Engineering Education (ENAEE) and the Washington Accord, and thus internationally recognised by signature countries, including China (CAST), India (NBA), UK, and the USA (ABET).

Is This Course For Me?

The course is suitable for individuals interested in pursuing a career in engineering, in particular in the areas of environmental, structural and geotechnical, transport, or sustainable energy engineering. It is also suitable for individuals already working in the industry and wishing to enhance their skills and knowledge to progress in their career or change their career path.

Career Opportunities

Most students enter the job market after graduation, gaining employment opportunities with private sector firms and county councils, such as RPS Group, Arup, Jones Engineering Group, and Dublin County Council, with starting salaries of between €30,000-€60,000 per annum. Students graduated from this programme can also choose to pursue further study, with previous graduates receiving offers to study Ph.D. degrees from international leading universities such as Trinity, Imperial College London, and University College London.

Course Structure

This is a one-year full-time or two-year part-time, NFQ Level-9 postgraduate course. Students pursuing the course full-time take three core modules and four elective or common modules in the first semester. In the second semester, students take one core module and four elective or common modules. Students may also take the course part-time over two years, with a similar distribution of modules.

Course Content

Students take twelve modules in total: four mandatory modules, four common modules, and four modules in their chosen specialisation. Mandatory modules include:

• Civil Engineering Management
• Research Dissertation
• Engineering Project
• Research Methods 1

Common modules include:

• Façade Engineering
• Advanced Spatial Analysis using GIS
• Computation for Transportation Engineering
• Simulations for Geophysical Modelling

Students specialising in Environmental Engineering take at least four modules from the following:

• Air Pollution
• Waste Management and Energy Recovery
• Water Quality and Hydrological Modelling
• Water Resource Planning and Climate Change
• Sustainable Water Supply and Sanitation

Students specialising in Structural and Geotechnical Engineering take at least four modules from the following:

• Geotechnical Engineering
• Advanced Structural Analysis
• Wind and Earthquake Engineering
• Bridge Engineering
• Advanced Concrete Technology
• Offshore Geotechnical Engineering
• A Unified Theory of Structures
• Advanced Theory of Structures

Students specialising in Sustainable Energy take at least four modules from the following:

• Wind Energy
• Solar Energy Conversion and Applications
• Energy Policy and Demand
• Wave and Hydro Energy

Students specialising in Transport Engineering, Policy, and Planning take at least four modules from the following:

• Transportation Policy
• Transportation Modelling and Planning
• Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)
• Transport Design

Course Details

• Awards: NFQ Level 9
• Number of Places: 35 (in total, over all programmes)
• Next Intake: September 2025
• Course Director: Assistant Professor David O'Connell
• Closing Date: 30th June 2025

Admission Requirements

The minimum entry criteria is an upper second-class Honours degree (or equivalent) in an Engineering or related degree. Relevant industrial experience may be taken into account in allocating places, where the course is oversubscribed.

English Language Requirements

All applicants to Trinity are required to provide official evidence of proficiency in the English language. Applicants to this course are required to meet Band B (Standard Entry) English language requirements.

Course Fees

For a full list of postgraduate fees, please refer to the relevant section of the university's website.

Research Areas

The M.Sc. in Engineering offers specialisations in the following areas:

• Environmental Engineering
• Structural and Geotechnical Engineering
• Transport Engineering
• Sustainable Energy Engineering

Each specialisation provides students with in-depth knowledge and skills in their chosen area, preparing them for careers in industry, research, or further study. The course is designed to provide a comprehensive education in engineering, with a focus on practical application and problem-solving. The research project and dissertation component of the course allow students to explore a topic of interest in depth, developing their research skills and contributing to the body of knowledge in their field. The course is accredited by Engineers’ Ireland, ensuring that graduates meet the standards required for professional engineering practice. Overall, the M.Sc. in Engineering at Trinity College Dublin provides students with a world-class education, preparing them for successful careers in engineering and related fields.