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Professional Diploma in Electronic Design

ProfDip (NFQ Level 9)

This course is available through the following application route(s)

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Ireland has a dynamic electronic design industry that employs over eight thousand people and generates export revenue of approximately €9 Billion per annum. The industry depends for its success on the continuing development of talent to the highest international standards. The Professional Diploma in Electronic Design is designed to help electronics graduates transition into design and/or to improve their professional skills.

Until recently, it has been impossible for engineers working in industry to gain access to the graduate-level electronic design modules offered by University College Dublin because attendance at the Belfield campus was compulsory; this made participation impossible for those outside Dublin and for those in full-time employment. 

By making selected modules available online, this programme provides a unique opportunity to learn from world leaders in embedded systems, power electronics, mixed-signal, RF, and microwave circuit design, while in employment. Modules are also taught by leaders in the field who regularly publish in the top journals and conferences.

Modules & Delivery Mode

The Professional Diploma in Electronic Design comprises 20 credits of Option Modules (four modules).  These modules are selected from eight modules that are offered across the Spring and Autumn Trimesters. Students taking EEEN40600 Mixed-Signal Integrated Circuits are strongly advised to take EEEN40570 Analogue Integrated Circuits first. All lectures are in the morning of weekdays with labs in the afternoon. Remote lectures & labs are available for those who cannot attend in person*.

(*Please note however, some attendance may be required as some modules may have in-person exams.)

Individual Modules:
For students that are not in a position to take on the full programme a number of the modules on this programme can be taken individually via the Advance Centre  catalogue. Most modules are online so that you can fit study around your work and life.

Module Information:

Under the "What modules can I take?" section below you will see general module information, for a more detailed description including module selection rules click here.

About This Course

The learning outcomes are as follows:

  1. familiarity with and knowledge of prototypical analogue, mixed-signal, radiofrequency and power electronic circuits;
  2. ability to use electronic design automation (EDA) software to design circuits of medium complexity;
  3. ability to analyse and design electronic circuits to solve specified problems;
  4. the ability to communicate effectively in the field of electronic design  
  5. the ability to learn independently.

Many leading multinational companies in the electronics industry, including Analog Devices, Bosch, Cadence, Infineon, Intel, Microchip, ON Semiconductor, Qorvo, Synopsys, and Xilinx, have design centres in Ireland that specialise in some or all of digital design, power, mixed-signal and RF circuits. Electronic design companies are constantly in search of highly-skilled design engineers, and invest heavily in the professional development of their staff.

Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
OPTION MODULES: Students are recommended to take a minimum of one of the following 5-credit modules per trimester from the list below to ensure a balanced workload. ***Students must take 20 credits of modules within the 2-year registration period (up to four trimesters) to be eligible for award of this Professional Diploma. ***Students wishing to complete the programme within 1 year (two trimesters) should take two 5-credit modules per trimester to ensure a balanced workload.
EEEN40060 Digital Communications Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
OPTION MODULES: Students are recommended to take a minimum of one of the following 5-credit modules per trimester from the list below to ensure a balanced workload. ***Students must take 20 credits of modules within the 2-year registration period (up to four trimesters) to be eligible for award of this Professional Diploma. ***Students wishing to complete the programme within 1 year (two trimesters) should take two 5-credit modules per trimester to ensure a balanced workload.
EEEN40130 Advanced Signal Processing Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
OPTION MODULES: Students are recommended to take a minimum of one of the following 5-credit modules per trimester from the list below to ensure a balanced workload. ***Students must take 20 credits of modules within the 2-year registration period (up to four trimesters) to be eligible for award of this Professional Diploma. ***Students wishing to complete the programme within 1 year (two trimesters) should take two 5-credit modules per trimester to ensure a balanced workload.
EEEN40310 Power Electronics Technology Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
OPTION MODULES: Students are recommended to take a minimum of one of the following 5-credit modules per trimester from the list below to ensure a balanced workload. ***Students must take 20 credits of modules within the 2-year registration period (up to four trimesters) to be eligible for award of this Professional Diploma. ***Students wishing to complete the programme within 1 year (two trimesters) should take two 5-credit modules per trimester to ensure a balanced workload.
EEEN40570 Analogue Integrated Circuits Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
OPTION MODULES: Students are recommended to take a minimum of one of the following 5-credit modules per trimester from the list below to ensure a balanced workload. ***Students must take 20 credits of modules within the 2-year registration period (up to four trimesters) to be eligible for award of this Professional Diploma. ***Students wishing to complete the programme within 1 year (two trimesters) should take two 5-credit modules per trimester to ensure a balanced workload.
EEEN40120 Applications of Power Electronics Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
OPTION MODULES: Students are recommended to take a minimum of one of the following 5-credit modules per trimester from the list below to ensure a balanced workload. ***Students must take 20 credits of modules within the 2-year registration period (up to four trimesters) to be eligible for award of this Professional Diploma. ***Students wishing to complete the programme within 1 year (two trimesters) should take two 5-credit modules per trimester to ensure a balanced workload.
EEEN40280 Digital & Embedded Systems Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
OPTION MODULES: Students are recommended to take a minimum of one of the following 5-credit modules per trimester from the list below to ensure a balanced workload. ***Students must take 20 credits of modules within the 2-year registration period (up to four trimesters) to be eligible for award of this Professional Diploma. ***Students wishing to complete the programme within 1 year (two trimesters) should take two 5-credit modules per trimester to ensure a balanced workload.
EEEN40600 Mixed-Signal Integrated Circuits Spring  5

Prof. Peter Kennedy, Programme Director

"Ireland has a long history in circuit design with deep experience in advanced signal processing, power electronics, RF and mixed-signal circuits. Due to the traditional nature of programme delivery in universities, on-campus attendance has normally been required. This programme gives design engineers who are in full-time employment a unique opportunity to take classes from some of the world’s best experts in circuit design with minimal impact on their day jobs."

Professional Diploma in Electronic Design (T362) Part Time
nonEU    fee per year - € 6650
EU          fee per year - € 2170

***Fees are subject to change

Applicants should hold a NFQ Level 8 (or International equivalent ) BE degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent.

You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants: Yes


General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Professional Diploma in Electronic Design:

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T362
Professional Diploma in Electronic Design
Professional Diploma

Part-Time
Commencing September 2025
Graduate Taught
* you can change options at the top of the page