School of Engineering Undergraduate

Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Engineering (Common Entry)

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Course Overview

This course has a common first-year entry stage that allows students to experience different disciplines before choosing their Civil, Mechanical or Electrical and Electronic Engineering specialisation at the end of Year 1. This course trains graduates to design engineer level, exercising problem-solving, analysis and computation skills.

Year 1 of this degree introduces the three specialities available from years 2 to 4. The modules are shared and students choose at the end of Year 1.

Honours Degree in Civil Engineering:

Civil engineering is about protecting, creating, and improving our everyday environment. It involves the planning, designing, and constructing facilities that we require for living, industry and transport; roads, bridges, buildings, railways, airports, water supply, drainage, flood management and sustainable energy schemes such as wind farms, ocean energy or hydroelectric stations.

Honours Degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering:

Electrical and Electronic Engineers have a high level of analytical and design skills as is needed when working on controlling and understanding sensitive and powerful systems. Industries such as renewable energy, telecommunications, smart devices, manufacturing, Agri-Food, Pharma and Biopharma all need the skills in Electronics. The main themes are automation & control, embedded systems, energy and electrical and sensors and electronic design. Every control system is electronics-based, and so understanding electronics is understanding controls.

Honours Degree in Mechanical Engineering:

Mechanical Engineers are essential to every industry sector, and are in huge demand by local and national industry for their problem-solving skills and versatility. Industries include product design and research, aerospace, energy, transport and materials handling, renewable systems, pharmaceuticals and the Agri-Food sector. Mechanical engineering includes manufacturing, energy transfers and decarbonising future industries.

What makes this course different

Understanding the Industry

Engineering is a vast subject, encompassing many different specialities across all environments. While engineers work in many different industries, from aerospace and automotive to energy and electronics, all engineers use creativity to design solutions for the problems we face in the world today.

Career Opportunities

Demand for graduates in a wide range of engineering industries has been strong with many having job offers from both local and national companies shortly after sitting their final exams including: Combilift, Intel, Cargotec, XOcean, Suretank, Glen Dimplex, Kingspan Group, Xtratherm, MultiHog, Atkins Global, Local Authorities (Borough and County Councils), Arup, BAM Civils, Sisk, John Paul Construction.

Future Careers:

  • Civil Engineer
  • Electronic Engineer
  • Mechanical Engineer
  • Structural Engineer
  • Aerospace Engineer
  • Automotive Engineer

In these areas:

  • Engineering
  • Robotics
  • Manufacturing
  • Automation
  • Construction
  • Renewable Energy

Graduates work at

Course Delivery and Modules

A range of teaching methodologies are employed such as practical laboratory exercises, tutorials delivered in small groups, site visits, design and build exercises, and online content to support class learning. All material is delivered from a basic to an advanced standard over the course duration. Class examples, assignments, and projects are industry-relevant and teamwork is an important feature.

Semester 1

  • Computing for Engineering
  • Engineering Maths 1
  • Engineering Professional Practice 1
  • Engineering Science
  • Materials Science
  • Statics

Semester 2

  • Dynamics
  • Electrical and electronic principals
  • Engineering CAD
  • Engineering mathematics 2
  • Engineering professional practice 2

Themes:

  • Design & CAD
  • Energy Systems, Fluids & Automation
  • Mechanics of Machines & Structures
  • Materials & Manufacturing Technology
  • Management

Themes:

  • Power & Energy
  • Design
  • Telecommunications
  • Embedded Systems
  • Control
  • ECAD

Themes:

  • Structural analysis and design
  • Highways and Transportation
  • Geotechnical Engineering
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Engineering Surveying
  • Materials Technology
  • Design & CAD

Work placement

Placement is an important feature of the course, taking place in Year 3. The exact duration and nature of placement depend on the specialisation chosen.

The placement is assessed by DkIT lecturers to support the student and to ensure the learning experience is relevant to the Programme Learning Outcomes.

Professional Accreditations

Upon completion of this course, graduates are eligible to apply for professional membership with Engineer’s Ireland at Associate Member grade.

Engineers Ireland

Education Progression

Graduates will be able to progress to Level 9 and 10 postgraduate degree courses.

MEng in Mechanical Engineering

Engineering & Built Environment DK_EMMEG_9 Level 9
Course type: Postgraduate
Study mode: Full-Time|Part-Time
Duration: 3 Semesters / 5 Semesters
Start date: Sep 2025

MSc in Renewable Energy Systems

Engineering & Built Environment DK_ERENE_R Level 9
Course type: Postgraduate
Study mode: Full-Time|Part-Time
Duration: 3 Semesters / 5 Semesters
Start date: Sep 2025

Fees and Funding

Please find information on fees and funding here.

Entry requirements

In addition to the standard entry requirements below, Maths Grade H6 or O2 is also required for Leaving Certificate or QQI applicants. A Merit in QQI Maths for STEM NFQ (5N0556) will also meet this specific Mathematics entry requirement.

Applicants from NI/UK require a GCSE Maths Grade 8/A or AS Level Grade C or A Level Grade D.

Additional Maths Entry Exam at DkIT:

If you have not met the maths entry requirements for this course (but you have met the basic maths entry requirement for a level 8 programme at DkIT), you have a second chance at meeting these additional Maths Entry Requirements by sitting the DkIT additional Maths Entry Examination, held in August of each year. More details about the maths entry exam.

Recent CAO points

CAO points 2024 368
CAO points 2023 343

Student Stories

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How to apply

Apply on CAO

All standard entry first-year applicants must apply for entry through the CAO. See Important application dates for CAO and information for specific applicant types below:

Apply on CAO
CAO code: DK843

Advanced Entry & Transfer Applications

Advanced Entry is for applicants who have previous educational achievements and/or work experience and want to be considered for direct entry into year  2, 3, or 4 of a course. This includes students looking to transfer to DkIT from another Higher Education provider.

International Application (non-EU)

International Applicants (not from or living in the EU) can apply through an agent or directly to DkIT to study this course.

Ask us a Question

If you have a question about the Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Engineering (Common Entry) please ask it below and we will get back to you.

Sinead Kelly

Lecturer

Disclaimer: All module titles are subject to change and for indicative purposes only. All courses are delivered subject to demand and timetables are subject to change. Elective Module options will only run subject to student numbers. The relevant Department will determine the viability of each elective module option proceeding depending on the number of students who choose that option. Students will be offered alternative elective modules on their programme should their preferred elective option not be proceeding. Award Options for Common Entry Programmes: The relevant Department will determine the viability of each award option proceeding depending on the number of students who choose either option. If the numbers for one of the Award options exceed available places, students for this option will be selected based on Academic Merit (highest grades).