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Masters in Mechanical Engineering

ME (NFQ Level 9)
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This course is available through the following application route(s)

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The ME in Mechanical Engineering is a two-year professional engineering graduate degree. Graduates of the programme will be eligible for the title of Chartered Engineer (CEng). This programme is aimed at graduate Mechanical Engineers seeking to obtain a masters degree in Mechanical Engineering. You will gain advanced theoretical, conceptual and practical knowledge in the application of Mechanical Engineering. Emphasis is placed on the skills required to generate new knowledge through research. This is achieved through independent and project-based learning while working with UCD academics and researchers on contemporary research projects. This programme is delivered by a highly research-intensive School holding 151-200 in the QS World Subject Rankings and Top 6 in Ireland/UK Employer’s and Research rankings and awarded €9.56 million in research funding between 2014-19.

The programme foundations are the core mechanical engineering subjects such as continuum mechanics, solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics and materials and is comprised of core and optional taught modules. , a research project and a professional work experience.  Our strong research ethos present throughout the programme, is supported by a module in research skills and techniques, and practiced in an intensive research thesis.  Other relevant skills relating to business, management and communications are also taught. 

 

About This Course

We empower our graduates to meet the challenges of their future professional careers or further education by providing them not only with advanced technical competency in solving engineering problems, but also with the ability to advance their career through increased technical and managerial responsibility and to the eventual attainment of leadership positions.  We are committed to providing our students with an outstanding teaching experience, an innovative curriculum that includes professional work practice and training in the skills of research, innovation and technology transfer so that they are equipped to meet the challenges and demands of an ever-evolving society.  

  • Advanced knowledge and understanding of the mathematics, sciences, engineering sciences and technologies underpinning Mechanical engineering.
  • The ability to identify, formulate, analyse and solve complex Mechanical engineering problems.
  • The ability to perform the detailed design of a novel system, component or process using analysis and interpretation of relevant data.
  • The ability to design and conduct experiments and to apply a range of standard and specialised research (or equivalent) tools and techniques of enquiry.
  • An understanding of the need for high ethical standards in the practice of Mechanical engineering, including the responsibilities of the Mechanical engineering profession towards people and the environment.
  • The ability to work effectively as an individual, in teams and in multidisciplinary settings, together with the capacity to undertake lifelong learning.
  • The ability to communicate effectively on complex engineering activities with the engineering community and with society at large.

In the year immediately after graduation, this programme boasts a 95% success rate for graduates seeking employment or progression to research education. Mechanical engineers are at the centre of every area of technology.

Graduates from this programme will be eligible to become fully qualified professional engineers, capable of working anywhere in the world at an advanced technical level or as a professional engineering manager. In the recent past, UCD ME Mechanical Engineering graduates have progressed to careers in industries such as: aerospace industry (e.g. European Space Agency), automobile industry (e.g. Ferrari, Jaguar Land Rover, Ford, Denso), biomedical industry (e.g. Medtronic, Boston Scientific, Stryker), oil and gas (Cameron) and materials and manufacturing (Henkel, Kingspan).

The Professional Work Experience (PWE) module is incorporated into the two-year Masters of Engineering Programme and is designed to integrate a student’s academic and career interests with practical work experience for a 6-8 month period. 



The module provides students with the perfect opportunity to gain increased experience and understanding of their chosen field. The practical skills acquired during this placement will give graduates a competitive advantage when applying for positions upon graduation.


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 Core Modules
 MEEN40010 Engineering Thermodynamics III Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 MEEN40020 Mechanics of Fluids II Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 MEEN40030 Manufacturing Engineering II Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 MEEN40050 Computational Continuum Mechanics I Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A)1 of:
PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE: In Stage 1 (Year 1) ALL students MUST select ONE of the following REQUIRED MODULES relating to Professional Work Experience.
 MEEN40720 ME Mech Prof. Work Exp. (Long) 2 Trimester duration (Spr-Sum)  30
Stage 1 Options - A)1 of:
PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE: In Stage 1 (Year 1) ALL students MUST select ONE of the following REQUIRED MODULES relating to Professional Work Experience.
 MEEN40710 ME Mech Prof. Work Exp. (Shor) Summer  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of:
AUTUMN REQUIRED (ME CORE): In Stage 1 (Year 1) ALL students MUST select a maximum of TWO Option Modules in the Autumn Trimester: from the Autumn REQUIRED (ME CORE ) list below or the Autumn OPTIONS list. ***The following modules are REQUIRED for the ME (Mechanical Engineering) programme and must be passed prior to completion of the ME Programme. Students should follow the guidance of the Programme Director in selecting their modules. Any modules from this list, not taken in this year, will have to be taken in Stage 2 (Year 2) (before the completion of the ME Programme).
 MEEN40060 Fracture Mechanics Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of:
AUTUMN REQUIRED (ME CORE): In Stage 1 (Year 1) ALL students MUST select a maximum of TWO Option Modules in the Autumn Trimester: from the Autumn REQUIRED (ME CORE ) list below or the Autumn OPTIONS list. ***The following modules are REQUIRED for the ME (Mechanical Engineering) programme and must be passed prior to completion of the ME Programme. Students should follow the guidance of the Programme Director in selecting their modules. Any modules from this list, not taken in this year, will have to be taken in Stage 2 (Year 2) (before the completion of the ME Programme).
 MEEN40170 Mechanics of Solids III Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:
AUTUMN OPTIONS: In Stage 1 (Year 1) ALL students MUST select a maximum of TWO Option Modules in the Autumn Trimester. These can be chosen from the Autumn REQUIRED (ME CORE) List or the following list of Autumn OPTION Modules. When credits for Autumn CORE and Autumn OPTION modules are combined, students must be registered to a total of 30 credits in Autumn.
 MEEN20050 Heat Transfer Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:
AUTUMN OPTIONS: In Stage 1 (Year 1) ALL students MUST select a maximum of TWO Option Modules in the Autumn Trimester. These can be chosen from the Autumn REQUIRED (ME CORE) List or the following list of Autumn OPTION Modules. When credits for Autumn CORE and Autumn OPTION modules are combined, students must be registered to a total of 30 credits in Autumn.
 MEEN40080 Technical Ceramics Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:
AUTUMN OPTIONS: In Stage 1 (Year 1) ALL students MUST select a maximum of TWO Option Modules in the Autumn Trimester. These can be chosen from the Autumn REQUIRED (ME CORE) List or the following list of Autumn OPTION Modules. When credits for Autumn CORE and Autumn OPTION modules are combined, students must be registered to a total of 30 credits in Autumn.
 MEEN40090 Energy Systems and Climate Change Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:
AUTUMN OPTIONS: In Stage 1 (Year 1) ALL students MUST select a maximum of TWO Option Modules in the Autumn Trimester. These can be chosen from the Autumn REQUIRED (ME CORE) List or the following list of Autumn OPTION Modules. When credits for Autumn CORE and Autumn OPTION modules are combined, students must be registered to a total of 30 credits in Autumn.
 MEEN40160 Materials Thermodynamics and Kinetics Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:
AUTUMN OPTIONS: In Stage 1 (Year 1) ALL students MUST select a maximum of TWO Option Modules in the Autumn Trimester. These can be chosen from the Autumn REQUIRED (ME CORE) List or the following list of Autumn OPTION Modules. When credits for Autumn CORE and Autumn OPTION modules are combined, students must be registered to a total of 30 credits in Autumn.
 MEEN40800 Engineering Project Management - Tools & Techniques Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:
AUTUMN OPTIONS: In Stage 1 (Year 1) ALL students MUST select a maximum of TWO Option Modules in the Autumn Trimester. These can be chosen from the Autumn REQUIRED (ME CORE) List or the following list of Autumn OPTION Modules. When credits for Autumn CORE and Autumn OPTION modules are combined, students must be registered to a total of 30 credits in Autumn.
 MEEN40820 Technical Comms (Online) Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:
AUTUMN OPTIONS: In Stage 1 (Year 1) ALL students MUST select a maximum of TWO Option Modules in the Autumn Trimester. These can be chosen from the Autumn REQUIRED (ME CORE) List or the following list of Autumn OPTION Modules. When credits for Autumn CORE and Autumn OPTION modules are combined, students must be registered to a total of 30 credits in Autumn.
 MEEN41330 Data Analytics for Engineers Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:
AUTUMN OPTIONS: In Stage 1 (Year 1) ALL students MUST select a maximum of TWO Option Modules in the Autumn Trimester. These can be chosen from the Autumn REQUIRED (ME CORE) List or the following list of Autumn OPTION Modules. When credits for Autumn CORE and Autumn OPTION modules are combined, students must be registered to a total of 30 credits in Autumn.
 STAT40690 Quantitative Methods for Engineers Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - D) Min 0 of:
SPRING OPTIONS WITH SHORT PWE ONLY: Students who are taking MEEN40710 (PWE Short) must select 20 credits of Spring Trimester Option Modules. ***These may be from the Spring OPTIONS listed below. ***Alternatively, a student may take one 5-credit NEGOTIATED OPTION (an alternative Option) identified by the student, and approved by the relevant Module Coordinator, and Programme Director. This also requires formal approval granted by the Engineering Programme Board.
 MEEN40110 Advanced Polymer Engineering Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - D) Min 0 of:
SPRING OPTIONS WITH SHORT PWE ONLY: Students who are taking MEEN40710 (PWE Short) must select 20 credits of Spring Trimester Option Modules. ***These may be from the Spring OPTIONS listed below. ***Alternatively, a student may take one 5-credit NEGOTIATED OPTION (an alternative Option) identified by the student, and approved by the relevant Module Coordinator, and Programme Director. This also requires formal approval granted by the Engineering Programme Board.
 MEEN40670 Technical Communication Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - D) Min 0 of:
SPRING OPTIONS WITH SHORT PWE ONLY: Students who are taking MEEN40710 (PWE Short) must select 20 credits of Spring Trimester Option Modules. ***These may be from the Spring OPTIONS listed below. ***Alternatively, a student may take one 5-credit NEGOTIATED OPTION (an alternative Option) identified by the student, and approved by the relevant Module Coordinator, and Programme Director. This also requires formal approval granted by the Engineering Programme Board.
 MEEN41090 Eng. Decision Support Systems Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - D) Min 0 of:
SPRING OPTIONS WITH SHORT PWE ONLY: Students who are taking MEEN40710 (PWE Short) must select 20 credits of Spring Trimester Option Modules. ***These may be from the Spring OPTIONS listed below. ***Alternatively, a student may take one 5-credit NEGOTIATED OPTION (an alternative Option) identified by the student, and approved by the relevant Module Coordinator, and Programme Director. This also requires formal approval granted by the Engineering Programme Board.
 MEEN41100 Operations Management Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - D) Min 0 of:
SPRING OPTIONS WITH SHORT PWE ONLY: Students who are taking MEEN40710 (PWE Short) must select 20 credits of Spring Trimester Option Modules. ***These may be from the Spring OPTIONS listed below. ***Alternatively, a student may take one 5-credit NEGOTIATED OPTION (an alternative Option) identified by the student, and approved by the relevant Module Coordinator, and Programme Director. This also requires formal approval granted by the Engineering Programme Board.
 MEEN41150 Advanced Metals Processing Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 MEEN40700 ME Mechanical Thesis 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)  25
Stage 2 Core Modules
 MEEN40560 Research Skills and Techniques Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A)1 of:
ME REQUIRED MODULES: In Stage 2 (Year 2) ALL students MUST Select ONE of the following REQUIRED modules:
 EEEN40010 Control Theory Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A)1 of:
ME REQUIRED MODULES: In Stage 2 (Year 2) ALL students MUST Select ONE of the following REQUIRED modules:
 CHEN40560 Process Control Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of:
ME REQUIRED MODULES (IF NOT PREVIOUSLY TAKEN): In Stage 2 (Year 2) the following ME REQUIRED Modules must be taken (if not previously taken) to be eligible for the ME Degree.
 MEEN40010 Engineering Thermodynamics III Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of:
ME REQUIRED MODULES (IF NOT PREVIOUSLY TAKEN): In Stage 2 (Year 2) the following ME REQUIRED Modules must be taken (if not previously taken) to be eligible for the ME Degree.
 MEEN40020 Mechanics of Fluids II Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of:
ME REQUIRED MODULES (IF NOT PREVIOUSLY TAKEN): In Stage 2 (Year 2) the following ME REQUIRED Modules must be taken (if not previously taken) to be eligible for the ME Degree.
 MEEN40030 Manufacturing Engineering II Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of:
ME REQUIRED MODULES (IF NOT PREVIOUSLY TAKEN): In Stage 2 (Year 2) the following ME REQUIRED Modules must be taken (if not previously taken) to be eligible for the ME Degree.
 MEEN40050 Computational Continuum Mechanics I Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of:
ME REQUIRED MODULES (IF NOT PREVIOUSLY TAKEN): In Stage 2 (Year 2) the following ME REQUIRED Modules must be taken (if not previously taken) to be eligible for the ME Degree.
 MEEN40060 Fracture Mechanics Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of:
ME REQUIRED MODULES (IF NOT PREVIOUSLY TAKEN): In Stage 2 (Year 2) the following ME REQUIRED Modules must be taken (if not previously taken) to be eligible for the ME Degree.
 MEEN40150 Computational Continuum Mechanics II Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of:
ME REQUIRED MODULES (IF NOT PREVIOUSLY TAKEN): In Stage 2 (Year 2) the following ME REQUIRED Modules must be taken (if not previously taken) to be eligible for the ME Degree.
 MEEN40170 Mechanics of Solids III Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of:
ME REQUIRED MODULES (IF NOT PREVIOUSLY TAKEN): In Stage 2 (Year 2) the following ME REQUIRED Modules must be taken (if not previously taken) to be eligible for the ME Degree.
 MEEN40190 Mechanics of Fluids III Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of:
ME REQUIRED MODULES (IF NOT PREVIOUSLY TAKEN): In Stage 2 (Year 2) the following ME REQUIRED Modules must be taken (if not previously taken) to be eligible for the ME Degree.
 MEEN40430 Professional Engineering (Management) Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - C) Min 0 of:
ME OPTIONS: In Stage 2 (Year 2) students should select a total of 30 credits from the various ME CORE Options Lists and the ME OPTIONS listed below following the guidance f the Programme Director to ensure a balanced workload of 30 credits per trimester.
ACM40290 Numerical Algorithms Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - C) Min 0 of:
ME OPTIONS: In Stage 2 (Year 2) students should select a total of 30 credits from the various ME CORE Options Lists and the ME OPTIONS listed below following the guidance f the Programme Director to ensure a balanced workload of 30 credits per trimester.
MEEN20050 Heat Transfer Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - C) Min 0 of:
ME OPTIONS: In Stage 2 (Year 2) students should select a total of 30 credits from the various ME CORE Options Lists and the ME OPTIONS listed below following the guidance f the Programme Director to ensure a balanced workload of 30 credits per trimester.
MEEN40080 Technical Ceramics Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - C) Min 0 of:
ME OPTIONS: In Stage 2 (Year 2) students should select a total of 30 credits from the various ME CORE Options Lists and the ME OPTIONS listed below following the guidance f the Programme Director to ensure a balanced workload of 30 credits per trimester.
MEEN40090 Energy Systems and Climate Change Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - C) Min 0 of:
ME OPTIONS: In Stage 2 (Year 2) students should select a total of 30 credits from the various ME CORE Options Lists and the ME OPTIONS listed below following the guidance f the Programme Director to ensure a balanced workload of 30 credits per trimester.
MEEN40160 Materials Thermodynamics and Kinetics Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - C) Min 0 of:
ME OPTIONS: In Stage 2 (Year 2) students should select a total of 30 credits from the various ME CORE Options Lists and the ME OPTIONS listed below following the guidance f the Programme Director to ensure a balanced workload of 30 credits per trimester.
MEEN40800 Engineering Project Management - Tools & Techniques Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - C) Min 0 of:
ME OPTIONS: In Stage 2 (Year 2) students should select a total of 30 credits from the various ME CORE Options Lists and the ME OPTIONS listed below following the guidance f the Programme Director to ensure a balanced workload of 30 credits per trimester.
MEEN40820 Technical Comms (Online) Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - C) Min 0 of:
ME OPTIONS: In Stage 2 (Year 2) students should select a total of 30 credits from the various ME CORE Options Lists and the ME OPTIONS listed below following the guidance f the Programme Director to ensure a balanced workload of 30 credits per trimester.
MEEN41330 Data Analytics for Engineers Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - C) Min 0 of:
ME OPTIONS: In Stage 2 (Year 2) students should select a total of 30 credits from the various ME CORE Options Lists and the ME OPTIONS listed below following the guidance f the Programme Director to ensure a balanced workload of 30 credits per trimester.
MEEN41350 Introduction to Robotics Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - C) Min 0 of:
ME OPTIONS: In Stage 2 (Year 2) students should select a total of 30 credits from the various ME CORE Options Lists and the ME OPTIONS listed below following the guidance f the Programme Director to ensure a balanced workload of 30 credits per trimester.
STAT40690 Quantitative Methods for Engineers Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - C) Min 0 of:
ME OPTIONS: In Stage 2 (Year 2) students should select a total of 30 credits from the various ME CORE Options Lists and the ME OPTIONS listed below following the guidance f the Programme Director to ensure a balanced workload of 30 credits per trimester.
MEEN40110 Advanced Polymer Engineering Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - C) Min 0 of:
ME OPTIONS: In Stage 2 (Year 2) students should select a total of 30 credits from the various ME CORE Options Lists and the ME OPTIONS listed below following the guidance f the Programme Director to ensure a balanced workload of 30 credits per trimester.
MEEN40670 Technical Communication Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - C) Min 0 of:
ME OPTIONS: In Stage 2 (Year 2) students should select a total of 30 credits from the various ME CORE Options Lists and the ME OPTIONS listed below following the guidance f the Programme Director to ensure a balanced workload of 30 credits per trimester.
MEEN41150 Advanced Metals Processing Spring  5

UCD ranks 1st in Ireland and in the top 50 worldwide in the QS Sustainability rankings 2023, which focus on what institutions are doing to tackle the world’s greatest environmental, social and governance (ESG) challenges

This ME is professionally accredited by Engineers Ireland and recognised by the Washington Accord for Chartered Engineer status. 

Graduate Profile - Cathal McClean, ORIX Aviation

From a young age I have always been passionate about aircraft and flight, and this was the primary driving factor in my choice of Mechanical Engineering. Throughout my studies in UCD it’s been amazing to see my interests change simply from airplanes generally, to the calculations, materials, simulation, and manufacturing processes that contribute to keeping them in the air.

In the first year of the master’s I was able to spend eight months in an aircraft maintenance organization, which gave great context to the theory learned in classroom modules. Following on from this, I was fortunate enough to do a research thesis on the topic of fracture of composites; a material used extensively in aircraft structure.

UCD Mechanical Engineering is broad enough to give you the range and choice of topics to really pursue an area of interest to you. Where you are interested in fluid dynamics, or control systems, or micro manufacturing, or 3D printing, the framework is there to pursue these areas.

Masters in Mechanical Engineering (T165) Full Time
EU          Year 1 - € 9300
nonEU    Year 1 - € 29100
EU          Year 2 - € 8830 aa
nonEU    Year 2 - € 27720 aa

aaSecond Year Fee applies to Students in 2nd Year in 2024 and who were a 1st Year Student on the programme in 2023/24
***Fees are subject to change

Please note that UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme. For further information please see www.ucd.ie/global/scholarships/

The College of Engineering & Architecture also offer scholarships for non-EU students, for more information see: www.ucd.ie/eacollege/study/noneuscholarships.

  • An honours undergraduate degree (NFQ level 8)  with a minimum upper second class honours or international equivalence in a Mechanical Engineering programme.
  • Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent.
  • Students meeting the programme’s academic entry requirements but not the  English language requirements, may enter the programme upon  successful completion of UCD’s Pre-Sessional or International Pre-Master’s Pathway programmes. Please see the following link for further information http://www.ucd.ie/alc/programmes/pathways/ 
  • These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes 

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Yes


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General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Masters in Mechanical Engineering:

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Masters in Mechanical Engineering
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