Key Info
Bachelor/Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering
Electricity is going to play a huge role in the transition to a sustainable future. In Ireland, and around the world, renewable sources of generation such as wind and solar are coming on stream at a phenomenal rate, electricity networks are being transformed into smart grids, and demand for electricity is soaring as transport and heat are being electrified in the race to zero carbon emissions. With the clear potential for abundant offshore wind generated electricity, especially off our Atlantic Coast, Ireland is positioned to become globally important for many industrial sectors who want to enjoy these benefits and play their role in this sustainable future. This degree in Electrical Engineering will provide you with the knowledge and skills to play a part in this story and prepare you for a successful and rewarding career with a wide range of potential opportunities.
The programme can be undertaken as either a four-year (Bachelor of Engineering, BE) degree programme or a five-year (Master of Engineering, ME) degree programme. All students would initially enter the BE degree programme route, and can either graduate with a BE degree at the end of the fourth year of study or have the option to continue into the fifth year Masters degree by transferring into the ME degree programme at the end of the fourth year rather than graduating with a BE degree. The Masters route is advised for those who would like to purse the option of becoming a Chartered Engineer with Engineers Ireland after a suitable period of professional experience.
You may also choose to continue with further study and pursue a PhD and subsequently a research or academic career.
Learn more about our courses and upcoming events
What you will study
This programme of study will cover all the major components to allow you to become a successful Electrical Engineer. These include all the traditional topics such Electrical Machines, Electrical Power Systems, Power Electronics, Energy Management, Energy Storage and Electrical Automation. Given the increasingly important role of data in the generation and use of electricity it also includes much more modern topics such as Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence which are necessary to make electricity systems smarter and more secure. All of these topics build on foundational engineering modules which are taken in years 1 and 2 of the programme.
Work experience is obtained through an eight-month period of Cooperative Education (Co-op), which is an integral part of the programme. Co-op will provide students with real-world industrial experience and practice. This will be taken in the summer at the end of second year and the first semester of the third year of the programme.
In year four, the final year of the BE programme, students aiming to graduate with a BE degree will undertake a major individual project, which in general aims to solve a real-world problem. The project involves advanced design and implementation work and builds confidence by putting into practice the skills and knowledge that have been acquired throughout the programme of study.
Master of Engineering (ME) Track (year five). The ME track enables students to gain a broader and deeper understanding of a range of advanced topics in energy including “Electrification of Transport”, “Wind, Ocean and Hydro Energy”, “Solar and Nuclear Energy” amongst others. Students will also undertake a major individual project. Students will select the ME track in year three of the programme, and will study the ME track subjects in year 4.
| Semester 1 | Title | Semester 2 | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CH4001 | Chemistry for Engineers | CE4702 | Computer Software 2 |
| EE4001 | Electrical Engineering 1 | EE4012 | Circuit Analysis 1 |
| EE4011 | Engineering Computing | EE4022 | Semiconductor Device Fundamentals |
| MA4001 | Engineering Mathematics 1 | EE4522 | Digital Systems 1 |
| ME4001 | Introduction to Engineering 1 | MA4002 | Engineering Mathematics 2 |
| ME4121 | Engineering Science 1 |
| Semester 3 | Title | Semester 4 | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CE4703 | Computer Software 3 | EE4044 | Communications and Network Protocols |
| EE4003 | The Engineer as a Professional | EE4214 | Control 1 |
| EE4313 | Active Circuit Design 1 | EE4314 | Active Circuit Design 2 |
| EE4523 | Digital Systems 2 | EE4524 | Digital Systems 3 |
| MA4003 | Engineering Mathematics 2 | MA4004 | Engineering Mathematics 4 |
Each student will complete their Cooperative Education placement during the summer at the end of year two and into semester one of year three. Students, whilst on Cooperative Education, will be asked to select their BEng major option for semester two of year three. Students will also state wither they wish to graduate with a BEng degree award at the end of year four or to continue onto the MEng degree track at the end of year four the further year of the programme. All students will however follow one of the following BEng major options in year three.
| Semester 5 | Title | Semester 6 | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooperative Education | EE4024 | Electrical Energy (Electrical machines) | |
| EE4216 | Control 2 | ||
| EE4816 | Signals and Systems 1 | ||
| ET4014 | Data Security | ||
| ET4224 | Robotics 1: Sensors and Actuators |
| Semester 7 | Title | Semester 8 | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CE4317 | Introduction to Data Engineering and Machine Learning | EE4038 | Power Electronics |
| EE4031 | Modern Electrical Power Systems | EE4042 | Energy Demand Management |
| EE4047 | Electrical Engineering Project 1 | EE4048 | Electrical Engineering Project 2 |
| ET4031 | Electrical Automation | PH4038 | Energy Storage |
| PH4003 | Mechanical Energy | PH4042 | Thermal Physics |
Year 4
| Semester 7 | Title | Semester 8 | Title | Summer | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CE4317 | Introduction to Data Engineering and Machine Learning | EE4038 | Power Electronics | ME4049 | Engineering Project |
| EE4031 | Modern Electrical Power Systems | EE4042 | Energy Demand Management | ||
| ET4021 | Electronics Life Cycle Engineering | EE4052 | Master of Engineering Project Preparation | ||
| ET4031 | Electrical Automation | PH4038 | Energy Storage | ||
| PH4003 | Mechanical Energy | PH4042 | Thermal Physics |
Year 5
| Semester 9 | Title | Semester 10 | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| EE4041 | Electrification of Transport | EE6062 | Integrated Master of Engineering Project 2 |
| EE6061 | Integrated Master of Engineering Project 1 | ||
| Elective - choose 2 | Elective - choose 3 | ||
| PH4007 | Solar and Nuclear Energy | EE6452 | Digital Control |
| PH4013 | Earth Science | ME4526 | Introduction to Heat Transfer |
| PH4027 | Wind, Ocean and Hydro Energy | ME6201 | Engineering for Net Zero Carbon |
| PH4072 | Electromagnetism |
Entry requirements
| CAO points history |
424
|
|---|---|
| Minimum grades |
Applicants are required to hold at the time of enrolment the established Leaving Certificate (or an approved equivalent) with a minimum of six subjects which must include: Two H5 (Higher Level) grades and Four O6 (Ordinary Level) grades or four H7 (Higher Level) grades. Subjects must include Mathematics, Irish or another language, and English. |
| Subject requirements |
In addition, applicants must hold a minimum grade H4 in Mathematics and a grade O6/H7 in any one of the following: Physics, Chemistry, Physics with Chemistry, Engineering, Computer Science, Construction Studies, Design & Communication Graphics/Technical Drawing, Technology, Biology, Agricultural Science, Applied Maths. |
| Additional considerations |
A Special Mathematics Examination will be offered at UL following the Leaving Certificate results for those students who did not achieve the Mathematics requirement. We welcome applications from mature students. Mature applicants must apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO) by 1 February. Application information for mature student applicants (PDF) QQI EntryCertain QQI Awards are acceptable in fulfilling admission requirements for this programme. Visit the UL Undergraduate Admissions QQI site for a full list of modules. |
| Non-EU Entry Requirements |
|
How to apply
| Where are you applying from? | How to Apply |
|---|---|
| Ireland | Irish students must apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found here. |
| The UK | Students who have completed their A-Levels can apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found on the Academic Registry website. |
| The EU | EU Students can apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found on the Academic Registry website. |
| Non-EU country | If you are outside of the EU, you can apply for this degree here. |
Fees and funding
Student course fees are broken into three components - Student contribution, Student Levy and Tuition Fees.
A number of illustrative examples of fees for this course based on the current fee levels have been set out in the tables below.
An explanation of the components, how to determine status and the criteria involved is provided below the examples as is a list of possible scholarships and funding available.
EU Students with Free fees status in receipt of a SUSI grant
| HEA pays | Tuition Fees | €4,262 |
| SUSI pays | Student contribution | €3,000 |
| Student pays | Student Levy | €100 |
| €7,362 |
EU Students with Free fees status not in receipt of a grant
| HEA pays | Tuition Fees | €4,262 |
| Student pays | Student contribution | €3,000 |
| Student pays | Student Levy | €100 |
| €7,362 |
Students with EU fee status not in receipt of a grant
| Student pays | Tuition Fees | €4,262 |
| Student pays | Student contribution | €3,000 |
| Student pays | Student Levy | €100 |
| €7,362 |
Non-EU Students
| Student pays | Tuition Fees | €20,542 |
| Student pays | Student Levy | €100 |
| €20,642 |
Student course fees are comprised of the following components:
Student Contribution
Annual charge set by the government for all full-time third level students. All students are liable unless they have been approved for a grant by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). Please refer to https://www.studentfinance.ie to determine your eligibility for a grant and for instructions on how to apply. The current student contribution is set at €3000.
Student Levy
All students are liable to pay the Student Levy of €100. Please note the Student Levy is not covered by the SUSI Grant.
Tuition Fees
These are based on Residency, Citizenship, Course requirements.
Review the three groups of criteria to determine your fee status as follows
-
Residency
- You must have been living in an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland for at least 3 of the 5 years before starting your course
-
Citizenship
- You must be a citizen of an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland or have official refugee status
-
Course Requirements
(all must be met)
- You must be a first time full-time undergraduate (Exceptions are provided for students who hold a Level 6 or Level 7 qualification and are progressing to a Level 8 course in the same general area of study).
- You must be undertaking a full-time undergraduate course of at least 2 year’s duration
- You cannot be undertaking a repeat year of study at the same level unless evidence of exceptional circumstances eg serious illness is provided (in which case this condition may be waived)
Depending on how you meet these criteria your status will be one of the following -
- Free Fee Status: You satisfy all three categories (1, 2 and 3) and therefore are eligible for the Higher Education Authority’s Free Fees scheme.
- EU Fee Status: You satisfy both the citizenship and residency criteria but fail to satisfy the course requirements and are liable to EU fees.
- Non EU Fee Status: You do not meet either the citizenship or residency criteria and are therefore liable to Non EU fees.
More information about fees can be found on the Finance website
These scholarships are available for this course
| Title | Award | Scholarships Available |
|---|---|---|
| BD Bursaries for Women in STEM | €5,000 for one year | 4 |
| BD Science and Engineering Undergraduate Scholarship | €2,000 for one year | 6 |
These scholarships are available for all courses
| Title | Award | Scholarships Available |
|---|---|---|
| All Ireland Scholarships - sponsored by J.P. McManus | €6,750 | 125 |
| Brad Duffy Access Scholarship | €5,000 for one year | 1 |
| Bursary for my Future Scholarship | €2,750 one off payment | 4 |
| Cooperative Education Award | 1 medal per faculty | |
| Elaine Fagan Scholarship | €1,500 | |
| Financial Aid Fund | ||
| Hegarty Family Access Scholarships | €5,000 for one year | 2 |
| Higher Education Grants & VEC Grants | ||
| Paddy Dooley Rowing Scholarship | €2,500 | |
| Plassey Campus Centre Scholarship Programme | ||
| Provincial GAA Bursaries Scheme | €750 | |
| Stuart Mangan Scholarship | ||
| The Michael Hillery and Jacinta O’Brien Athletics Scholarship | Various benefits equating to over €7,000 in value | |
| UL Sports Scholarships | Varies depending on level of Scholarship | Multiple |
Your future career
Employability skills from this degree
Future graduates of the BE/ME Electrical Engineering programme are expected to be in high demand as we transition to a more sustainable energy system. will prepare you for a wide range of potential careers across this sector. You might go to work in power generation, distribution, energy storage or energy management.
We also anticipate major sources of employment in the mid-west region in line with the ambition to make the Shannon Estuary a hub for harnessing the potential of offshore wind generated electricity. Such major industrial projects such as the production of green hydrogen or sustainable aviation fuels will also require electrical engineering graduates.
Engineers often move quickly into senior management and consultancy positions, using their analytical approach to project management and problem solving. There are also worldwide opportunities for advanced study and research, and graduates can diversify into many other areas such as business, medicine and law.
The Bachelor of Engineering (BE) programmes in UL are accredited by Engineers Ireland (EI). This is an internationally recognised professional engineering accreditation. We plan for the new BE/ME in Electrical Engineering to become accredited once students have graduated from the programme, in accordance with Engineers Ireland rules.