Access Course for the MEng in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering Programme
This Access Course is for Honours students whose primary degree is not in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, but who wish to join the MEng in Mechanical and Manufacturing programme. It is a bridge between your existing knowledge and the knowledge you need to enter one of these courses. It is a one-year, part-time course.
Students on the Masters Access Programme may transfer onto the Masters programme, subject to the transfer requirements. Find out more about our MEng in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering here.
Why choose this course?
- You can study part-time and remotely for maximum flexibility.
- It offers an opportunity to change your career path.
- It is a unique programme not available anywhere else in Ireland.
Life on Campus
We have three academic campuses close to Dublin City centre - they are located in Glasnevin and Drumcondra, and can be reached by public transport (Dublin Bus).
Each campus has libraries, study spaces, restaurants, and on-campus residencies. Sports facilities are located on two of the academic campuses. We also have a dedicated sports campus in the form of St Claire’s.
Exceptional facilities
DCU students have access to exceptional teaching and learning facilities across our three academic campuses.
These include modern learning theatres, research centres, television and radio/podcast studios, classrooms, computer suites and advanced labs in the areas of languages, engineering, physics, chemistry and biotechnology, as well as a sports performance centre and training hospital ward. In 2021, we opened our first virtual reality ‘Leadership Lab’, which is located in our Business School.
Construction on our FutureTech building on the Glasnevin campus will get underway in 2022. Once completed, this facility will advance DCU’s international reputation for excellence in science, computing and engineering disciplines. It will have the capacity to accommodate an additional 3,000 STEM students on the university’s Glasnevin campus.
Campus life
Among the student facilities in DCU are a sports complex with a 25 metre pool, three libraries and The Helix, our renowned performing arts centre.
In 2018, a purpose-built state-of-the-art new student centre - The U - was opened. This centre serves the needs of a rapidly growing student body of 18,500 and is home to the Student Leadership and Lifeskills Centre, performing arts and cultural spaces for students and the wider community, and an Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub.
There are more than 140 clubs and societies for students in DCU, with ‘Clubs & Socs’ days taking place on both the Glasnevin and Drumcondra campuses at the start of the academic year.
Student Supports
We have a number of academic, professional and social supports for students.
Student Advice Centre: Offers a wide range of supports and services to students
The Writing Centre - drop-in writing workshops for students through the academic year
Maths Learning Centre - provides maths support for students of all ability levels with maths modules
Student Learning: facilitate the transition from passive to active learning for students at DCU, by teaching study skills, nurturing critical thinking and building student confidence.
Careers work with students to help them on their professional journey into graduate employment.
Our student support team offers a comprehensive support programme, helping students make that all important transition into university life and focusing on building confidence and skills which are key to success at third level.
The Access programme offers an entry route to the Postgraduate programmes in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, which opens up many opportunities to its graduates.
Some students have launched a new career in design and manufacturing, often based on new skills they have developed and nurtured during the Masters project. Part-time students have found that their career progression has been more rapid, or that new roles have opened up with their employers. Others have progressed to PhD research and gained further advancement and recognition.
In a competitive time for positions, the extra qualifications provided by this programme are a valuable addition to your CV.
Find out more about our MEng in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering here.
Requirements
The normal entry requirements for the Access Course are:
• A level 8 (NFQ level 8 qualification) Honours degree in a Science/Technology based degree (Applied Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, etc.),
OR
• A level 8 (NFQ level 8 qualification) Honours degree in other areas of Engineering (Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Mechatronic Engineering, Civil Engineering, etc.)
• Both cases are subject to an interview if deemed necessary by the Chair of the Programme or Head of School.
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) applicants are required to submit a cover letter along with their application under the Transcripts section of the portal, affirming their intent to apply for RPL. For more information on RPL see here.
• Candidates are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to those outlined above. In addition, where such candidates are non-native speakers of the English language they must satisfy the University of their competency in the English language
This programme is not available to non-EU students
Fees
Part time
Can I pay my fees in instalments?
EU fee paying students must pay a €500 deposit when registering for a course.This fee is non-refundable.
60% of the relevant fee is then due at the beginning of Semester One, during the registration process.The remaining 40% is then due at the start of Semester Two in January.
If you are a non-EU fee paying student, you will be asked to pay the total fee before the programme begins.
Our fees office has more information about Postgraduate fees here. You can also contact them at fees@dcu.ie.
Where can I view the module descriptions for my course?
You can access more information about modules when you click on ‘current course structure’ in the ‘Programme’ section of this page
What is the weekly timetable for my course?
Please check the ‘Programme’ section of this page. If it is currently unavailable in this section please contact the programme chair of the course.
What are the entry requirements for this course?
Please check the ‘Entry Requirements’ section of this page. If you require further information, please contact the programme chair.
Are there any scholarships or sources of funding available for this course?
Our Student Recruitment Office has more information about Postgraduate Scholarships and funding here.
We also have more information about Postgraduate Scholarships here.
What are the possible career opportunities available from studying this course?
Please go to the ‘Careers’ section of this page.
Is there a part-time option to studying this course?
Please go to the Programme Structure of this page for information on whether it is a part time option to this course.
What is the course timetable for part-time students?
If you require specific information about the timetable, please contact the programme chair.
Who can I speak to regarding my application?
You can contact our admissions team at postgraduateadmissions@dcu.ie
How soon after I apply can I expect to hear about the status of my application? –
We aim to get back applicants within two weeks. If you are waiting longer than two weeks, please contact postgraduateadmissions@dcu.ie.