The Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) in Manufacturing Engineering is a Level 7 add-on degree designed for graduates of the Higher Certificate in Engineering in Manufacturing Engineering (or equivalent) seeking advanced technical expertise. Delivered part-time over two academic years to accommodate working professionals, the programme deepens students' understanding of modern manufacturing technologies and operational processes. Special emphasis is placed on machine automation, industrial control systems, and automated production, equipping engineers with the technical and managerial competencies required to lead advanced manufacturing operations.
Practical Learning & Advanced Engineering Skills
The curriculum focuses on high-level technical application and system integration in modern industrial settings:
Industrial Automation & Control: Hands-on experience designing and programming automated systems, industrial robotics, and logic controllers for production lines.
Flexible Part-Time Delivery: Tailored for working technicians and industry professionals seeking to upskill to degree level while maintaining full-time employment.
Applied Capstone Project: Execution of a practical engineering project focused on solving real-world manufacturing, automation, or process design challenges.
Coursework
The two-year part-time curriculum covers advanced topics in automation, mechatronics, and production management:
Robotics & Automation Systems: Robotic cell design, kinematics, industrial robotics integration, and automated materials handling.
Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs): Advanced PLC programming, sensor integration, SCADA systems, and industrial communication networks.
Mechatronics & Engineering Design: Integrating mechanical, electronic, and software systems for advanced product and tooling design.
Operations Management & Capstone Project: Lean production systems, supply chain integration, project management, and an independent manufacturing engineering thesis/project.
Career Opportunities
Graduates earn a recognized Level 7 engineering degree that prepares them for elevated technical and supervisory roles across biopharmaceuticals, medical devices, automotive, and precision engineering sectors:
Manufacturing Engineer
Automation & Controls Engineer
Mechatronics Engineering Specialist
Process Improvement & Production Engineer
Systems Integration Engineer
Direct Academic Progression to Level 8 Honours Degree Programmes in Manufacturing or Mechanical Engineering
Upon completion of the BEng degree, graduates hold the advanced expertise in robotics, automation, and system control needed to optimize smart manufacturing environments and advance their careers into engineering leadership.
SUSI Funding for Part-time Undergrad Courses
Applicants for 2026/2027 may be eligible to apply for the part-time SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) funding scheme which provides fee contribution grants for students studying certain part-time undergraduate programmes.
This programme is delivered in a flexible blended mode on Tuesdays and Thursday from 7pm-10pm and alternate Saturdays, 9.30am -1.30pm over a two year period. The majority of the content is delivered online via live lectures on Zoom, with recordings of these live lectures made available also where feasible. Students are only required to be present on campus for typically 1 - 1.5 full days in total for practical work, in just two of the four programme semesters.
Course assessment is comprised of a combination of examinations and ongoing continuous assessment work. Exams are scheduled to take place at the end of each semester.
Year 1
Semester 1
Semester 2
Engineering Design Process
Manufacturing Engineering Project Specification
Differential Equations
Operations Management
Mechatronics 1
Process Quality & Software Control
Year 2
Semester 3
Semester 4
Robotics and Material Handling
New Products & Manufacturing Technology
Manufacturing Engineering Project Implementation
Dynamics and Control
Mechatronics 2
Engineering Design Operations
Applicants should have successfully completed a Higher Certificate in Engineering in one of the following disciplines:
Manufacturing Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Production Engineering
Industrial Engineering
Any qualification considered equivalent by the course board.
Graduates of this course may progress onto the BSc (Hons) in Manufacturing Engineering and then onto further postgraduate qualifications.
Completion of a level 8 programme will also enable students to undertake taught Masters programmes or Masters degrees by research at SETU or other third-level colleges.
Graduates from this course may find employment in fields such as:
