Engineering - Common Entry
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.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | Dublin City University |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | Dublin City University | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
1 year, full-time. First year only.
Specific Subjects or course requirements
General Entry Requirements
Applicants must present a minimum of 6 Leaving Certificate subjects at Grade O6/H7, which must include Mathematics and English or Irish. In addition, applicants must present at least 2 subjects at Grade H5.
Additional Requirements
Minimum of H4 in Mathematics or H4 in Applied Mathematics with H5 in Mathematics.
Leaving Certificate General Entry Requirements
Applicants wishing to undertake a Level 8 degree at DCU must be at least 16 years of age on 15 January of the year of entry.
Leaving Certificate Subject Combinations
Certain subjects will not be scored separately if they occur in combination with subjects that are similar in content. In each case, the highest individual grade will be scored. The following 6 groups of subjects are affected by this:
1 Music and Musicianship, Music A, Music B.
2 Economics, Agricultural Economics.
3 Physics with Chemistry - if combined with Physics and Chemistry; only 2 best scored - if combined with Physics or Chemistry; only best scored.
4 History, Economics and Economic History - if all 3 subjects are taken; only the best 2 will be scored.
5 Latin, Classical Studies.
6 Greek, Classical Studies.
Candidates who meet the points requirements but not the specific course requirements, for example H4 in English for the BA in Journalism, are permitted to repeat that subject only to meet the course requirements.
Bonus Points for Honours Mathematics
25 bonus points will continue to be awarded for higher level Mathematics, at grades H6 and above in the Irish Leaving Certificate or equivalent.
Leaving Certificate Mathematics Requirements
DCU does not award points for the subject of Mathematics at Leaving Certificate Ordinary Alternative or Foundation Level. However, these courses will be accepted for admission purposes for the following courses:
DC001 - Bachelor of Early Childhood Education
DC009 - Bachelor of Arts: Joint Honours
DC014 - BA in Jazz and Contemporary Music Performance
DC131 - BA in Communication Studies
DC132 - BA in Journalism
DC133 - BSc in Multimedia
DC155 - BA in Applied Language and Translation Studies
DC231 - BA in International Relations
DC232 - Bachelor of Civil Law and Society
DC235 - BSc in Education and Training
DC238 - BA in Social Sciences and Cultural Innovation
DC291 – Bachelor of Arts – Joint Honours (Media)
DC292 – Bachelor of Arts – Joint Honours (Law)
DC293 - Bachelor of Arts – Joint Honours (International Languages)
DC294 - BA in Climate and Environmental Sustainability
DC295 - Bachelor of Arts – Joint Honours (Politics)
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
Distinction 66
Merit 46
Pass 28
Please note that LCVP link modules cannot be used as a subject for general or specific course entry requirements, but can be used for the calculation of points.
QQI FET Applicants General Information
DCU welcomes applicants with appropriate QQI-FET (Level 5/6) qualifications. Applicants who have a full National Framework of Qualifications Level 5 award in appropriate qualifications and modules can be admitted on a competitive basis to certain DCU courses.
QQI-FET (Level 5) entry route is a competitive entry route with a limited number of places. A quota of places are offered based on the CAO ranked order of applicants based on performance. For courses with a QQI-FET (Level 5) entry route, approximately 10% of places are retained for QQI-FET (Level 5) applicants. Application is made through the CAO.
Careers / Further progression
Future Careers
Electronics Design Engineer
Computer Hardware Engineer
Systems Engineer
Software Engineer
Sustainability Engineer
Process Engineer
Mechanical Engineer
Renewable Energy Engineer
Energy Manager
Project Manager
Energy Analyst
In These Areas
Transport
Energy
Pharmaceutical
Food and Beverage
Utilities
Manufacturing
Business
Further information
Mature applicants are those aged 23 years, or above, on 1 January in the year of entry. All candidates (presenting with EU/Non EU qualifications) applying on the grounds of mature years should apply ONLY through the CAO by 1 February.
For many DCU courses, mature application assessment is based on the CAO application and in some instances, an assessment and/or interview. ‘Other’ experience, apart from performance in examinations, may be taken into consideration - this may be work experience, further studies, or other such experience deemed to be relevant to the application. Interviews will take place in April either in person or remotely.
For more information, please contact the Mature Student Officer, orla.stafford@dcu.ie or dcu.ie/mature-students
For general and admission enquiries, please visit dcu.ie/registry/ug-admissions
100
Entry 2024
Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20 January 2024 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1 February 2024 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: €60 Closing Date: 1 May 2024 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2024 at 5pm
Exceptional online late application (see page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee €60 Closing Date: 22 July 2024 at 5pm
Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid making an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all application fees are non-refundable.
LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5pm on 1 February 2024. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2024, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2024 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2024 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €60 applies.
Exceptional Late Applications (Exception to the timetable)
The exceptional closing date of 22 July at 5pm applies only to applicants who are registered as an undergraduate student on 1 May 2024 in any year in any one of the participating HEIs (subject to the exclusions listed below). In order to avail of the Exceptional Late Application facility you must have entered the HEI through the CAO system. This is an exceptional late closing date and all steps must be completed by 5pm on 22 July. No changes may be made after this date.
If you did not enter your current course through the CAO system, you must first contact the Admissions Office of the HEI to which you wish to apply and they will inform you if you may submit an application direct to the institution.
Exclusions:
You may submit a late application only for entry to courses other than your existing course. If you wish to repeat the year in the same course you must arrange this within your HEI.
Mary Immaculate College Limerick, Marino Institute of Education, Trinity College Dublin, University of Limerick and Maynooth University have special procedures in place in the case of current or previous students who wish to apply for entry to another course in the same HEI. Such applicants must contact their Admissions Office to determine the application procedure. However, if you are a student in another HEI and you wish to apply to any of these five HEIs, you should apply through CAO.
Refer to page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook on how to make an Exceptional Late Application.
Restrictions
As a CAO applicant you may experience one or more of the following restrictions based on your course choices, your category of application, or restrictions imposed by the HEIs that you wish to apply to. Please read the section on 'Restrictions' on page 3 of the 2024 CAO Handbook carefully. This section includes information on:
General Restrictions
1. Making a late application
2. Making changes to your course choices
Restricted Courses
3. Applying for a restricted course
Mature Applicants
4. Mature applicants
Supplementary Admissions Routes
5. Applying for DARE and/or HEAR
Why DCU?
- Explore 5 different engineering disciplines before specialising from Year 2
- DCU is home to world-class engineering academics and state-of-the-art lecture theatres, workshops and labs
- The Faculty of Engineering and Computing educates a diverse student community, has strong industry links and a range of exciting scholarship opportunities
- All options offer paid work placement (INTRA) in Year 3
- All options offer students an opportunity to complete Year 5 and graduate with a Masters of Engineering degree
- Pathway to an internationally recognised degree enabling graduates to work as professional engineers in the EU, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, the UK or the USA
About You
Do and want to know how things work? Do you want to create, innovate and make a lasting impact on the world? Do you have a natural ability in mathematics, which is the universal language of engineering? Are you a critical thinker who’d love to be part of a team solving real-world problems? Then consider Common Entry into Engineering.
Understanding: Common Entry into Engineering (Undenominated Entry)
Engineering is essential for driving innovation, building critical infrastructure, solving complex problems, advancing technology, promoting sustainability and enhancing the well-being of individuals and societies. It is a field that shapes the world we live in and plays a vital role in shaping a better future for all. Some of the most recent, exciting innovations in the renewable energy sector have been driven by engineering including wave energy converters, and combined heat and power units. Engineers improve life for humankind and help preserve and protect our planet for future generations.
Many students choose to go directly into 1 of our 5 specialist engineering courses. However, if you are unsure which area you would like to specialise in, the Common Entry into Engineering option is designed to help you explore all of your options while studying the fundamentals of engineering.
During Year 1, you will build a strong engineering foundation across maths, materials engineering and basic sciences, while also building skills like logical and critical thinking. Through lectures, labs, individual and group work, you will get hands-on engineering experience and be exposed to the 5 different engineering disciplines: mechanical and manufacturing engineering, mechatronics, electronic and computer engineering or sustainability engineering. By studying all 5 engineering disciplines in Year 1, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of the field and are better equipped to make informed decisions about your chosen Engineering degree in Year 2.
Upon graduation, our Engineers are highly sought after across many industries, known for their creative thinking, problem solving and ability to excel in team-based environments. Our graduates can be found at the heart of just about any field, from high-tech industry and medicine to financial services, energy-aware technologies and biotechnology – the cutting-edge dynamic industries of tomorrow. An Engineering degree from DCU is fully accredited and globally accepted, so you can bring your knowledge, skills and innovative mindset anywhere!
Additional Information
DCU has worked to ensure our Engineering courses stay vibrant and relevant to all needs of the modern engineer. Students entering via any of the CAO-denominated courses (DC190, DC193, DC194, DC197) or Common Entry route (DC200) will share a common engineering Year 1.
Course Structure
After Year 1, students will transfer into 1 of the following courses:
- BEng and MEng in Electronic and Computer Engineering (DC190)*
- BEng and MEng in Mechatronic Engineering (DC193)*+
− BEng and MEng in Mechanical and Sustainability Engineering (DC194)+
− BEng and MEng in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering (DC195)+
− BEng and MEng in Biomedical Engineering (DC197)+
* offered by the School of Electronic Engineering
+ offered by the School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
You will find further details of these courses in the following pages. Please note that the Common Entry route does not mean adding an extra year to the course. After completing Year 1 Common Entry into Engineering course, you continue in Year 2 of your chosen degree course.
What Will I Study?
Year 1
Engineering Sciences | Engineering Mathematics and Computation | Engineering Mechanics: Statics | Project and Technical Drawing | Materials Engineering | Introduction to Electronics | Fundamentals of Professional Development | Numerical Problem Solving | Basic Sciences for Engineering | Software Development for Engineers | Engineering Mathematics 1 and 2
Additional Information
DC200 After completing Year 1, you continue into Year 2 of your chosen honours degree.
Contact Details
Tel: +353 (0) 1 01 7005104
E: mmesecretary@dcu.ie
E: studenthelp@dcu.ie
Visit Us Online dcu.ie/DC200