The Higher Certificate in Engineering in Manufacturing Engineering is a two-year Level 6 programme designed to equip students with essential technical knowledge, manufacturing principles, and operational procedures at technician level. Tailored to meet the demands of Ireland’s vibrant manufacturing sector, the programme prepares graduates to make an immediate, enhanced contribution to production processes across diverse industries. Students acquire the technical skills and practical confidence needed to manage complex technician-level responsibilities, optimize output, and support continuous improvement in modern manufacturing environments.
Practical Learning & Core Technical Skills
The curriculum bridges theoretical engineering fundamentals with practical industrial applications:
Technician-Level Execution: Hands-on training in process optimization, machine operations, and technical quality control within modern manufacturing setups.
Operational Problem-Solving: Developing practical troubleshooting skills to address production line inefficiencies, equipment maintenance, and quality assurance challenges.
Industry Alignment: Designed to reflect the operational standards and technology used across Irish medical device, biopharmaceutical, precision engineering, and consumer goods manufacturing plants.
Coursework
The foundational engineering curriculum covers core principles of manufacturing, materials science, and system design:
Manufacturing Processes & Automation: Fundamentals of machining, fabrication, automated production systems, and computer-integrated manufacturing.
Engineering Materials & Mechanics: Understanding material properties, stress analysis, fluid dynamics, and manufacturing metallurgy.
Quality Assurance & Lean Manufacturing: Quality control methodologies, statistical process control (SPC), and waste reduction principles in production.
Career Opportunities
Graduates earn an accredited Level 6 qualification that prepares them for technician and supervisory roles across a broad range of manufacturing sectors, along with clear academic progression pathways:
Manufacturing Engineering Technician
Process & Production Technician
Quality Control (QC) & Inspection Specialist
Maintenance & Equipment Technician
Automation & Assembly Operations Specialist
Direct Progression to Level 7 Ordinary Degrees and Level 8 Honours Degrees in Manufacturing or Mechanical Engineering
Upon completion of the Higher Certificate, graduates possess the practical engineering skills, operational competence, and technical foundation required to assume key technician roles or continue their higher education in engineering.
Delivery
This programme is delivered in a flexible blended mode on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6pm-10pm over a three 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 just one evening per week in Semester 1, and typically just 1 - 1.5 full days in total for practical work in each of the five subsequent programme semesters.
Assessment
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 Professionalism & Technology
Instrumentation
Electrical Plant Technology
Mechanical Science
Fundamental Engineering Maths
Project Management
Year 2
Semester 3
Semester 4
Engineering Drawing / CAD
Maintenance Organisation
Machine Systems
Electrical & Control Technology
Introductory Calculus
Calculus
Year 3
Semester 5
Semester 6
Manufacturing Systems & Standards
Engineering Drawing Design
Manufacturing Technology
Fluid Power Automation
Lean Manufacturing
Industry Based Project
Manufacturing Technology Entry Requirements
Grade D (or higher) in Mathematics, English and three other subjects in the Leaving Certificate Examination (or approved equivalent).
Qualified personnel in the following trades: Fitting, Turning, Motor, Electrical, Tool Making, Post-Apprenticeship experience may be considered for exemption from year 1 subjects, subject to the RPL policy.
Candidates may be interviewed prior to being accepted on the course.
On successful completion of the certificate students may progress onto a BEng in Manufacturing Engineering and then onto further qualifications.
Graduates from this course may find employment in fields such as: Plant Operation & Maintenance, Manufacturing Engineering Technician, Technical Sales.
