Higher Certificate in Process Instrumentation & Automation

Program Overview

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Process Instrumentation (Learn and Work)

Ionstraimíocht agus Uathoibriú Próiseas (Foghlaim agus Oibrigh)

Course Title

Higher Certificate in Process Instrumentation & Automation

TU Code

TU604

NFQ Level

Level 6

Award Type

Higher Certificate in Process Instrumentation

ECTS Credits

120

Duration

2 years

Location

Blanchardstown

Fees

EU Fees Non-EU Fees

Course Description

TU Dublin’s Learn+Work course is a professional traineeship course providing a pipeline of skilled in-demand work-ready talent into STEM industries through industry partnership.

• Learn+Work courses blend the strength of a university education with an apprenticeship-style work placement.
• This course is designed specifically to create work-ready university graduates in the shortest possible time-frame.
• Each year Learn+Work students spend 5 months in fulltime study and then 7 months on placement with a company 4 days per week, returning to university 1 day per week during term time.
• Students are paid while on placement.
• As a result this is an intensive course, that runs 12 months each year, instead of the standard 9 months, so students do not get the traditional summer break while on this course, but they are entitled to annual leave days on a pro-rata basis while on work placement.

Process instrumentation is a branch of Engineering that deals with various types of instruments used in the measurement, recording and control of physical parameters such as pressure, temperature, flow rates and pH among many others.

This course will help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to avail of the numerous job opportunities in the highly automated manufacturing and process industries.

You’ll enjoy a mix of theory and practical learning, including sessions in our laboratories equipped with real-world equipment and software used in industry.

Work Placement Information

Our industry partners hire and mentor our Learn+Work students 7 months each year so that they have the relevant experience, skills and competencies required to work full-time in the industry and high-tech companies after graduation.

• Alexion
• Bonner
• Bristol-Myers Squibb
• CalX Instrumentation Services Ltd
• EMR Integrated Solutions
• Hanley Calibration
• Hanley Technology
• Intel
• Lagan Cement
• LotusWorks
• McL Automation
• West Pharmaceutical Services

IT Requirements

MEDIUM spec computer required (minimum) (i.e. able to run Win 10, an AV solution and Office comfortably. Be able to use Wi-fi and camera to attend online classes). MS Windows 10 based laptops are recommended.

Minimum Entry Requirements

Leaving Certificate Requirements

Minimum Number of

Subjects | Higher
5 | N/A
Minimum Grade in
Maths | English OR Irish
O6/H7 | O6/H7

QQI/FET Requirements

QQI/FET Award Required | Additional Requirements
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Any full Level 5 or 6 award | Must include a pass in 1 of the following:

• Mathematics (C20139)
• Mathematics (5N1833)
• Mathematics (6N3395)
• Mathematics for Computing (C20175)
• Mathematics for Engineering (C20174)
• Maths for Information Technology (5N18396)
• LC Maths

AND APTITUDE TEST AND INTERVIEW

In addition to the QQI minimum entry requirements, QQI quotas and QQI points apply. The max QQI points awarded is 390.

Mature Applicants

Mature applicants (i.e. those who are aged 23 years or more on 1st January in the year of entry) will be assessed based on their application, CV, aptitude test and interview. Mature applicants are not required to meet the leaving certificate or QQI requirements above.

Additional Requirements

1. Applicants will be required to upload their CV at time of application.
2. CVs generated by AI will not be accepted.
3. Applicants will be required to attend an interview with the Programme team.

Applicants called for interview must achieve at least 50 marks out of 100 for their interview. Following the interview process, each applicant’s total score must be equal to or greater than 110 marks out of 200. This total score given will be added to Leaving Certificate points (if applicable).

Late and change of mind applications are accepted, and all late applicants will go through the same screening process as outlined above.

English Language Requirements

If English is not your first language you will need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency.

Career Opportunities

Roles such as Instrumentation Technician, Calibration Technician, Maintenance Technician working in industries such as:

• Pharmaceutical
• Chemical
• Food and Drinks Processing
• Water/Wastewater
• Power Generation
• Oil and Gas Processing

Module Listing

Year One

• Algebra, Geometry and Calculus [Mandatory]
• Electro-Technology 1 [Mandatory]
• Introduction to Instrumentation [Mandatory]
• Workshop Practices & CAD [Mandatory]

Year Two

• Calculus and Statistics [Mandatory]
• Electro-Technology 2 [Mandatory]
• Process Instrumentation 1 [Mandatory]
• Electrical Power & Machines [Mandatory]

Student Testimonial

This is a really interesting course, my work placement is based in bio-pharma, but my classmates are based in all different industries, so the possibilities are endless. This course is such a great way to get working while learning as well, because you get into the industry straight away, get paid, and get your experience built up, which is fantastic. I highly recommend the course, my experience so far has been nothing short of brilliant.

Ruth Murphy, Year 2

Industry Partner Testimonial

We have access to graduates who come with a high level of industry experience from day one. Through their three-year placement with us, they’re already embedded in the culture of our organisation, understand how we work and what it’s like to work in a challenging environment.

– Derek Glynn, COO, EMR Integrated Solutions