Springboard+ is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union. Please see www.EUFunds.ie
FAO Applicants Resident in Ireland: Springboard+ Funding
This course has been funded under the Irish Government’s ‘Springboard+’ programme, for more information on the fee structure please head to the Springboard+ website here. To be eligible you need to be:
- Resident in Ireland - either with a valid social welfare claim in place for unemployed people; or, for employed people, proof of having been resident here for 3 out of last 5 years.
- Non-EU Irish residents must have ‘Stamp 4’ residency immigration status or above in order to be eligible.
- Recent Graduates of full-time level 8 degree programmes are not eligible for Springboard+ funding for one year after graduation date but may apply as fee-paying students.
- The funding is not open to people who are not resident in Ireland. Please see further information on Springboard+ eligibility.
- The Springboard+ application closing date is Thursday, 16 July 2026.
About Programme
This course will be delivered over two semesters, beginning in semester 1 with the module Mechatronics 1 introducing the students to PLC hardware and programming and transducer technology.
Modules Control Systems and Industrial Automation will be delivered in semester 2 introducing pneumatics, hydraulics, motors, control theory, SCADA and Distributed Control Systems.
Course Modules
The course is comprised of the following 3 x 5-credit modules:
Mechatronics
PLC programming including: timers, counters, data registers and STL programming techniques, with a strong emphasis on providing solutions to typical manufacturing problems. Transducer technology, incorporating the selection and application of transducers for industrial measurement and data acquisition requirements
Control Systems
The module is designed to give students an ability to understand, build and Pneumatic and PLC circuits which are widely used in industry. In addition sensors, transducers and motors are explained. In control systems the focus is on understanding the most widely used control strategies to provide the student with a working knowledge of these areas.
Industrial Automation
The aim of this module is to introduce the student to network topologies, bus types and communication protocols. Scada topologies, PLC, electrical distribution, robotic and factory automation examples are developed by the student in addition to developing examples of Distributed Control Systems topologies, robotic and factory automation.
Academic Eligibility
Applicants for the Level 7 Minor Award who have completed a minimum NQF Level 6 programme in automation engineering, or in a cognate area of study will be eligible for entry to the programme. Cognate discipline areas of study include electronic engineering and electrical engineering. Applicants for the Level 7 Minor Award who have completed a minimum NQF Level 7 programme in mechanical engineering and/or manufacturing engineering will be eligible for entry to the programme. Applicants who have a senior trades apprenticeship qualification in mechanical automation, electrical, electrical instrumentation, electronic security systems, instrumentation, industrial electrical engineering, manufacturing engineering and manufacturing technology with a minimum of 2 years relevant experience will be eligible for entry to the programme.
Applicants who do not currently meet the academic entry requirements may wish to consider using Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) mechanism.
Applicants whose first language is not English must submit evidence of competency in English.
Advanced Automation Engineering Certificate or a BEng (Hons) in Automation Engineering
Course Leader
