There are excellent job opportunities for graduates of this dual master’s programme in civil engineering design and construction, damage assessment and disaster relief, working in the developing work as engineers with NGOs, project management and site management. Established civil engineering employers with a presence in both Ireland, the US and around the world include Arup, Jacobs and AECOM.
Internships Available
Sustainable Development Goals
This course is available through the following application route(s)
This masters offers* students the chance to develop their engineering skills in both University College Dublin and Columbia University, New York (ranked 16th best university in the world) and to graduate with a dual degree from both universities. This is a huge benefit to both graduates of this masters and the industry as a whole as it produces high-quality graduates with global knowledge and training of European and American engineering practices.
Globally, Civil Engineers are essential to the provision of transportation systems, bridges, buildings and other infrastructure, clean water, waste management, and earthworks. With ever increasing global population, global urbanisation and global concerns about climate change, the formal training of engineers in a global context becomes crucial.Students will complete a mixture of taught modules, a work placement and research over the course of their studies on this programme.
Students will need to have a minimum GPA of 3.08 from UCD (equivalent to 2:1) and with the support of UCD make an application to Columbia University for acceptance. Students who are unsuccessful will complete Stage 2 of their degree in UCD.
Stage 1 in UCD comprises 6 core modules in the Autumn Trimester (30 ECTS) and either a Professional Work Experience placement (30 ECTS) which runs across the Spring and Summer Trimesters or a Design Project (10 ECTS) plus Option Modules (20 ECTS) which are undertaken in the Spring Trimester.
Students who complete Stage 2 in Columbia University, USA select their modules from the recommended course list for a chosen area of study/concentration (in consultation with Faculty Advisors in Columbia University).
The 6 Areas of Study/Concentrations offered are:
- Construction Engineering & Management;
- Engineering Mechanics;
- Environmental Engineering & Water Resources;
- Forensic (Structural) Engineering;
- Geotechnical Engineering;
- Structural Engineering).
Students will also undertake a year-long research project under the guidance of a supervisor in Columbia University.
About This Course
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 Professional Work Experience placement (30 ECTS) runs across the Spring and Summer Trimesters or the student can opt for a Design Project (10 ECTS) plus Option Modules (20 ECTS) which are undertaken in the Spring Trimester.
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.
| Trimester | Credits | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Stage 1 Core Modules |
CVEN40390 | Innovation Leadership | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
CVEN40690 | Civil Engineering Systems | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
CVEN40720 | Geotechnics 3 | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
CVEN40780 | Design of Structures 2 | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
CVEN40830 | Applied Hydrology | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
STAT40690 | Quantitative Methods for Engineers | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of: YEAR 1 IMPORTANT NOTE: For the Spring Trimester, STUDENTS interested in the Professional Work Experience Option should initially register to CVEN40730 Professional Work Experience. During the Autumn Trimester, students, with the support and guidance of the Internship Managers, will be expected to submit their CV to prospective employers. Professional Work Placement Opportunities will be offered by prospective employers on the basis of competitive interviews. Where a student does not secure an internship for Spring, they will be required to register to the list of Alternative Option modules outlined under the Section: "Stage 1 - Y1 Spring ALT. OPTIONS" |
CVEN40730 | Professional Work Experience | 2 Trimester duration (Spr-Sum) | 30 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of: Alternative YEAR 1: Students who are unsuccessful in securing a Professional Work Placement must select CVEN40500 (Design Project) along with 4 (3 if BSEN40110) is selected) of the following OPTION MODULES in the Spring Trimester to earn a total of 30 credits |
BSEN40110 | Advanced Air Pollution | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of: Alternative YEAR 1: Students who are unsuccessful in securing a Professional Work Placement must select CVEN40500 (Design Project) along with 4 (3 if BSEN40110) is selected) of the following OPTION MODULES in the Spring Trimester to earn a total of 30 credits |
CHEN40010 | Environmental Engineering | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of: Alternative YEAR 1: Students who are unsuccessful in securing a Professional Work Placement must select CVEN40500 (Design Project) along with 4 (3 if BSEN40110) is selected) of the following OPTION MODULES in the Spring Trimester to earn a total of 30 credits |
CVEN40050 | Design of Structures 3 | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of: Alternative YEAR 1: Students who are unsuccessful in securing a Professional Work Placement must select CVEN40500 (Design Project) along with 4 (3 if BSEN40110) is selected) of the following OPTION MODULES in the Spring Trimester to earn a total of 30 credits |
CVEN40060 | Transport Modelling | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of: Alternative YEAR 1: Students who are unsuccessful in securing a Professional Work Placement must select CVEN40500 (Design Project) along with 4 (3 if BSEN40110) is selected) of the following OPTION MODULES in the Spring Trimester to earn a total of 30 credits |
CVEN40070 | Water & Wastewater Treatment Processes | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of: Alternative YEAR 1: Students who are unsuccessful in securing a Professional Work Placement must select CVEN40500 (Design Project) along with 4 (3 if BSEN40110) is selected) of the following OPTION MODULES in the Spring Trimester to earn a total of 30 credits |
CVEN40080 | Hydraulic Engineering Design | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of: Alternative YEAR 1: Students who are unsuccessful in securing a Professional Work Placement must select CVEN40500 (Design Project) along with 4 (3 if BSEN40110) is selected) of the following OPTION MODULES in the Spring Trimester to earn a total of 30 credits |
CVEN40120 | Bridge Engineering | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of: Alternative YEAR 1: Students who are unsuccessful in securing a Professional Work Placement must select CVEN40500 (Design Project) along with 4 (3 if BSEN40110) is selected) of the following OPTION MODULES in the Spring Trimester to earn a total of 30 credits |
CVEN40210 | Geotechnics 4 | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of: Alternative YEAR 1: Students who are unsuccessful in securing a Professional Work Placement must select CVEN40500 (Design Project) along with 4 (3 if BSEN40110) is selected) of the following OPTION MODULES in the Spring Trimester to earn a total of 30 credits |
CVEN40500 | Engineering Design Project | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of: Alternative YEAR 1: Students who are unsuccessful in securing a Professional Work Placement must select CVEN40500 (Design Project) along with 4 (3 if BSEN40110) is selected) of the following OPTION MODULES in the Spring Trimester to earn a total of 30 credits |
CVEN40570 | Water Waste and Environmental Modelling | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of: Alternative YEAR 1: Students who are unsuccessful in securing a Professional Work Placement must select CVEN40500 (Design Project) along with 4 (3 if BSEN40110) is selected) of the following OPTION MODULES in the Spring Trimester to earn a total of 30 credits |
CVEN40710 | Highway Engineering | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of: Alternative YEAR 1: Students who are unsuccessful in securing a Professional Work Placement must select CVEN40500 (Design Project) along with 4 (3 if BSEN40110) is selected) of the following OPTION MODULES in the Spring Trimester to earn a total of 30 credits |
MEEN30140 | Professional Engineering (Finance) | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of: Alternative YEAR 1: Students who are unsuccessful in securing a Professional Work Placement must select CVEN40500 (Design Project) along with 4 (3 if BSEN40110) is selected) of the following OPTION MODULES in the Spring Trimester to earn a total of 30 credits |
MEEN40430 | Professional Engineering (Management) | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of: Alternative YEAR 1: Students who are unsuccessful in securing a Professional Work Placement must select CVEN40500 (Design Project) along with 4 (3 if BSEN40110) is selected) of the following OPTION MODULES in the Spring Trimester to earn a total of 30 credits |
MEEN40670 | Technical Communication | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of: Alternative YEAR 1: Students who are unsuccessful in securing a Professional Work Placement must select CVEN40500 (Design Project) along with 4 (3 if BSEN40110) is selected) of the following OPTION MODULES in the Spring Trimester to earn a total of 30 credits |
STAT30270 | Statistical Machine Learning | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
CVEN40870 | UCD-Columbia University Credit | Year-long (12 months) | 60 |
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
The ME programme is professionally accredited by Engineers Ireland and recognised by the Washington Accord for Chartered Engineer status.
Graduate Profile: Tianyi Zhou, Graduate Engineer, Arup
"I chose the Civil Engineering (dual degree) at UCD because it offers the unique opportunity to experience both European and American educational environments at top universities. During my first year at UCD, I built a solid technical foundation and gained valuable field experience through an eight-month internship. Columbia University provided a vast choice of interdisciplinary classes and the chance to engage in research with esteemed professors. At both schools, I gained comprehensive knowledge in various fields of civil engineering, as well as machine learning and programming knowledge. This programme equipped me with essential skills that led to offers from top firms. Dr. Ekin Ozer, the programme director and a Columbia alumnus, offered invaluable support and guidance. Whether pursuing a career in industry or academia, this programme provides a clear path to success."
Masters in Civil Engineering (T308) Full Time
nonEU fee per year - € 29100 vc
EU fee per year - € 9530 vc
vcStudents only pay fees to UCD for the year they are studying in UCD.
***Fees are subject to change
nonEU fee per year - € 29100 vc
EU fee per year - € 9530 vc
vcStudents only pay fees to UCD for the year they are studying in UCD.
***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/
In year 1 UCD fees apply (which you will have detailed in your offer letter) also any scholarship awarded by UCD applies only to the UCD year. When you go to Columbia you pay the Columbia fees.
- An honours undergraduate degree (NFQ Level 8) with minimum upper second class honours or international equivalence in civil engineering or equivalent.
- 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.
- These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes
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.
Full Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EU) applicants: Yes
How to Apply
General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Masters in Civil Engineering:
| ROWCLASS | Apply to |
|---|---|
| showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | T308 Masters in Civil Engineering Master of Engineering Full-Time Commencing September 2025 Graduate Taught |
* you can change options at the top of the page