Full Time option suitable for:

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

The ME degree in Electrical Power Engineering is a two-year programme that educates professional engineers to excel at an advanced technical level, or as a professional engineering manager, in the expanding sustainable power system and smart grid sectors anywhere in the world. The strong emphasis within the programme on the mathematical and analytical underpinnings of the discipline also provide an excellent foundation for entry into advanced research programmes. The programme can be taken by graduates with an honours bachelor's (first cycle) degree in electrical engineering or a closely related discipline. Graduates will receive an advanced engineering education in subject areas related to power system analysis & design, power electronics applications & design, sustainable power systems, smart grid communication architectures and electricity market operations.

Individual modules are taught by a strong cohort of experienced and internationally recognised academic staff (forming part of the world-leading Energy Institute for the integration of renewables into power systems), with expertise in all the core areas of Electrical Engineering. Teaching methods and assessment procedures vary across the programme to suit the wide range of subjects offered, and include individual and group analytical studies, practical work, development of research conference papers, and group debates. There is a strong laboratory component, allowing students to experience the practical aspects of electrical power engineering, while assignments provide complex design and problem-solving challenges. In the first year, a six month work experience internship is an integral part of the programme, building upon the strong collaborative links with a large number of companies, both indigenous and multinational companies, for placements within Ireland and internationally. In the final year, a substantial research project draws together many of the separate strands of learning, with an emphasis on independent learning, research methods, technical design & analysis, and communication skills.

The programme is accredited by Engineers Ireland, fully satisfying international educational requirements to become a Chartered Engineer.

• Advanced knowledge and understanding of the mathematics, sciences, data science, analytics, and other technologies underpinning electrical power engineering, with a focus on sustainable power systems, smart grid applications and power electronics technology
• The ability to identify, formulate and analyse complex electrical power engineering problems, placed in the wide context of smart grid applications, power electronic systems and electricity market economics
• The ability to design innovative solutions to complex electrical power engineering problems, relating to electrical networks, power system components and power electronic systems
• The ability to investigate, experiment and apply standard and specialised research methods, using industry standard software tools, specialist research tools and laboratory facilities
• Understanding of, and commitment to, professional and ethical responsibilities towards people and the environment in the practice of electrical power engineering
• The ability to work effectively independently and in diverse and inclusive teams, and to prepare for lifelong learning
• The ability to communicate effectively on complex electrical power engineering activities to diverse audiences
• Knowledge and understanding of engineering management principles and financial decision-making relevant to electrical power engineering, and an ability to apply these to one’s own work and to the management of projects 

By completing the ME Electrical Power Engineering programme, you will become a graduate with power systems expertise, whose rare skills will be attractive to a wide variety of technical and managerial roles in the electrical utility and smart grid sectors on an international scale, e.g. ABB, Alstom, EDF, EirGrid, EPRI, ESB, GE, NREL, Siemens. The ME programme also provides an excellent starting point for those aiming for a PhD programme and a research career within a university or specialised research institution.

View All Modules Here

This section links to general module information, for a more detailed description including module selection rules click here.

ME Electrical Power Engineering (T335) Full Time
EU          Year 1 - € 8830
nonEU    Year 1 - € 27720
EU          Year 2 - € 8410 ^aa
nonEU    Year 2 - € 26400 <sup>aa

aa</sup>Second Year Fee applies to Students in 2nd Year in 2023 and who were a 1st Year Student on the programme in 2022/23
***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 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, assess where their strengths and weaknesses lie and maximise their knowledge of the available career possibilities. The practical skills acquired during this placement will give graduates a competitive advantage when applying for positions upon graduation.

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

• An undergraduate honours degree (NFQ level 8)  with a minimum upper second class honours or international equivalence in an Electrical or Electronic 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

Graduate Profile

Rachel Perkinson, SSE Renewables

I chose to study engineering at UCD as you did not have to commit to a particular discipline straight away. This proved a wise choice as I went in believing I wanted to be a chemical engineering but quickly discovered electrical engineering was actually the discipline for me, and so I first completed a 3 year BSc degree, focusing on electrical engineering. The ME in Electrical Power Engineering at UCD is a challenging but rewarding course. 

I have found the course prepared me well for a career in renewable energy by making me aware of the opportunities and challenges facing the industry by mixing knowledge of the key technologies with how electricity markets and networks interact and operate. Throughout my 5 years at UCD I had the opportunity to spend a year studying in New Zealand and undertook two internships which provided invaluable experience. I am now working as an electrical engineer for SSE Renewables based in Scotland and find I use many of the skills I developed at UCD on a regular basis. 

• ME Energy Systems Engineering FT
• MEngSc Electrical Power Networks FT
• MSc Sustainable Energy & Green Technologies FT

A wide range of modern industry standard software tools for power system analysis and laboratory facilities are integrated into the taught and project-based modules. A real-time digital simulator and smart grid consumer laboratory (supported by EPRI) are also available for hardware in the loop testing and development of prototypes.

The following entry routes are available:

* Courses will remain open until such time as all places have been filled, therefore early application is advised

What's the difference between the ME Energy Systems (T164) and ME Electrical Power Engineering (T335) programmes?

The ME Electrical Power Engineering programme specialises in electrical power systems and power electronics and, in particular, emphasises detailed operation and analysis of modern electricity power grids, where the integration of inverter based renewable (wind and solar) generation units is essential. Ireland is currently a very exciting place for electrical power engineers, since it runs a synchronously isolated power system, which also incorporates a very high proportion of renewable sources, primarily from wind energy. The interactions between technical engineering constraints and the operation of electricity markets are also emphasised. Students will be exposed to strong laboratory-focussed learning and will gain experience of professional practice via an industry-based work placement, working along with major national and international companies in the power industry. With a strong emphasis on the mathematical and analytical underpinnings of the discipline, the programme educates professional engineers to excel at an advanced technical level or as a professional engineering manager. Future opportunities to pursue PhD programmes are also encouraged.

The ME Energy Systems programme takes a broader approach, which considers a more holistic view of global energy systems, including consequent environmental and climate impacts. It focuses on the interdependence between the electricity system, building energy systems, industrial production systems and transportation systems, taking account of security of supply and climate impact / CO2 emissions. The integration of renewables, such as wind and solar, into the electricity system is considered in detail, and the potential for wider incorporation of renewables in other sectors is also explored. The programme aims to prepare graduates to meet the engineering, economic and environmental challenges facing the energy systems of the future. It encompasses interdisciplinary solutions from mechanical, electrical, civil and chemical engineering, geological sciences, and provides opportunities to study a wide range of options, ranging from nuclear physics to energy economics and policy and entrepreneurship. Through academic coursework and an industry-based placement, graduates develop a broad understanding of the multi-disciplinary challenges in this field and are equipped with the technical skills to deliver solutions in the energy sector.

ME Electrical Power Engineering requires applicants to have an Electrical or Electronic Engineering background, or Energy Engineering background with strong mathematical skills. ME Energy Systems looks for candidates with a relevant Engineering background, such as in Mechanical Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering or Energy Engineering.

Both ME programmes are professionally accredited by Engineers Ireland.