Expand+Course Requirements
Subjects Required
Minimum of H4 Mathematics or H4 Applied Mathematics with H5 Mathematics

General Entry Requirements
A minimum of six Leaving Certificate subjects at Grade O6 or H7, with at least two at H5, which must inclu...

Hide-Course Requirements
Subjects Required
Minimum of H4 Mathematics or H4 Applied Mathematics with H5 Mathematics

General Entry Requirements
A minimum of six Leaving Certificate subjects at Grade O6 or H7, with at least two at H5, which must include the subjects Mathematics AND either English or Irish.

Leaving Certificate Mathematics Requirements
DCU does not award points for the subject of Mathematics at Leaving Certificate Ordinary Alternative or Foundation Level.

This subject will be accepted for admission purposes for the following courses:

BA in Applied Language and Translation Studies
BA in Contemporary Culture and Society
BSc in Education and Training
BA in Journalism
BA in International Relations
BA in Communication Studies
BA Gaeilge agus Iriseoireacht (Irish and Journalism)
Bachelor of Civil Law (Law and Society)
BSc in Multimedia
Bachelor of Arts (Joint Honours)
Bachelor of Early Childhood Education

Leaving Certificate Subject Combinations
Certain subjects will not be scored separately if they occur in combination with subjects that are similar in content. In each case, the highest individual grade will be scored.

The following six groups of subjects are affected by this:
1 Music and Musicianship, Music A, Music B

2 Economics, Agricultural Economics

3 Physics with Chemistry – if combined with Physics and Chemistry, only two best scored – if combined with Physics or Chemistry, only best scored

4 History, Economics and Economic History – if all three are taken, only the best two will be scored

5 Latin, Classical Studies

6 Greek, Classical Studies

Bonus Points for Honours Mathematics
25 bonus points will continue to be awarded in 2017 for higher level mathematics, at grades H6 and above in the Irish Leaving Certificate or equivalent.

Expand+EU/EEA and Non-EU
DCU has an active mature student body and strongly encourages applications from mature candidates (those aged 23 years or above on 1st January in the year of entry). As a mature student, your wealth of knowledge and experience wi...

Hide-EU/EEA and Non-EU
DCU has an active mature student body and strongly encourages applications from mature candidates (those aged 23 years or above on 1st January in the year of entry). As a mature student, your wealth of knowledge and experience will make a valuable contribution to the university, and we are always working towards widening participation to allow mature students gain entry onto DCU courses.

What are the entry requirements?
Applying as a mature applicant means that you do not compete with Leaving Certificate students for places at DCU. Instead, experience other than examination grades is taken into consideration – this may be work experience, further studies or other relevant experience. For some courses, however, particular Leaving Certificate subjects may be necessary. In all cases, the university will want to know that you have the ability and motivation to make the most of your studies at DCU.

What supports are available for mature students?
There is a wide network of services. The Mature Student Academic Writing Week prepares you for college life through workshops on topics such as academic writing, citing and referencing. Other topics include supports for students at DCU, such as the Mathematics Learning Centre, IT supports and the Mature Student Society. You will also have access to Student Support and Development workshops throughout the academic year for example CV Clinics, Learning Students and Motivational Workshops.

What financial supports are available to mature students?
There are a number of sources, including the Government’s Free Fees Initiative, the Higher Education Grants Scheme, the Back to Education Allowance and the DCU Student Assistance Fund, once a registered DCU student. Information on these schemes is available at www.studentfinance.ie.

Where can I find out more?
For the Mature Student Officer, please contact 01 700 6987. For general and admission enquiries, please contact the Registry on T +353 (0)1 700 5338 E registry@dcu.ie

How do I apply?
All mature applicants for full-time study must apply to the Central Applications Office (CAO) by 1st February in the year of entry.

Expand+There are many different ways to enter DCU. While candidates are primarily assessed on the basis of their second level examinations, other assessments are in place for mature students, students from socio-economic disadvantaged backgrounds, students ...

Hide-There are many different ways to enter DCU. While candidates are primarily assessed on the basis of their second level examinations, other assessments are in place for mature students, students from socio-economic disadvantaged backgrounds, students with disabilities/specific learning difficulties and transfer students. The university is committed to welcoming students from countries worldwide. For Undergraduate Admissions - General Information please go to: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/undergrad.shtml

Expand+Early online application (discounted): Fee €25 Closing Date: 20th January 2017 at 5:15pm

Normal online application: Fee €40 Closing Date: 1st February 2017 at 5:15pm

Late online application - restrictions apply: Fee: €50 Closing Date: 1st May 2...

Hide-Early online application (discounted): Fee €25 Closing Date: 20th January 2017 at 5:15pm

Normal online application: Fee €40 Closing Date: 1st February 2017 at 5:15pm

Late online application - restrictions apply: Fee: €50 Closing Date: 1st May 2017 at 5:15 pm

Change of Mind: Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1st July 2017 5:15 pm

Exceptional online late application - see page 14 of the 2017 CAO Handbook: Fee €50 Closing Date: 22nd July 2017 at 5:15pm

You should avoid submitting an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all fees are non-refundable.

LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5:15pm on 1st February 2017 and will be accepted up to 5:15pm on 1st May 2017, subject to the restricitions listed on page 3 of the 2017 CAO Handbook.

Late Applications (Exception to Timetable)
The exceptional closing date of 22nd of July at 5:15pm applies only to applicants who are currently undergraduate students in any year in any one of the participating HEIs (subject to the exclusions listed below). In order to avail of the Exceptional Late Application facility you must have entered the HEI through the CAO system.

If you did not enter your current course through the CAO system, you must first contact the Admissions Office of the HEI to which you wish to apply and they will inform you if you may submit an application direct to the institution.

Exclusions:
You may submit a late application only for entry to courses other than your existing course. If you wish to repeat the year in the same course you must arrange this within your HEI.

Mary Immaculate College Limerick, Trinity College Dublin and the University of Limerick have special procedures in place in the case of current or previous students who wish to apply for entry to another course in the same HEI. Such applicants must contact their Admissions Office to determine the application procedure. However, if you are a student in another HEI and you wish to apply to any of these three HEIs, you should apply through CAO.

Refer to page 15 of the 2017 CAO Handbook on how to make an Exceptional Late Application.

Restricted-category Applicants
Mature applicants – most HEIs will require mature applicants, who wish to be assessed on mature grounds, to have applied to CAO by 1st February 2017 at 5:15pm. (This restriction does not apply if the applicant wishes to be considered on the basis of school leaving qualifications only.) For more information about applying to CAO on the basis of mature years go to www.cao.ie/mature.

Applying for the HEAR and/or DARE schemes – to be considered for the HEAR and/or DARE schemes applicants must have registered on the CAO system by 1st February 2017 at 5:15pm and must have completed the HEAR/DARE application form by 1st March 2017 at 5:15pm – supporting documents must be sent to CAO offices before 1st April 2017 at 5:15pm.

Expand+Why DCU?
• Develop and work with exciting new technologies.

• Flexible career opportunities in a range of interesting and socially important areas e.g. the health sector, the smart economy, new energy and communications.

• Small class sizes...

Hide-Why DCU?
• Develop and work with exciting new technologies.

• Flexible career opportunities in a range of interesting and socially important areas e.g. the health sector, the smart economy, new energy and communications.

• Small class sizes, up-to-date industry-relevant modules and lots of practical, hands-on project work.

• Option to complete a fifth year and obtain a Masters degree as part of an integrated five-year programme.

• Accredited engineering programme (PAGE 187)

Understanding Mechatronic Engineering:
More and more aspects of the world around us are becoming automated, with labour-saving machines and robots able to perform tasks quicker and more accurately than humans. These machines are staggeringly complex, with huge numbers of finely tuned moving parts being precisely controlled in the blink of an eye by state-of-the-art electronics. Just consider the machines you use on a daily basis and how many moving parts are involved. Such machines are examples of mechatronic engineering, the science of combining mechanical engineering with electronic engineering to create intelligent machines. Such skills are key in the ever growing presence of a connected world (Internet of Things (IoT) enabling machines to interact with the (electro-mechanical) physical and (software) virtual worlds via the internet.

The potential in this area is immense no matter what your interest, from designing safer cars to building labour-saving intelligent robots to interfacing the mechanical and electronic parts of future renewable energy systems.

About You
A mechatronic engineer is a problem solver by nature. Mathematics is the universal language of engineering and you will need to be comfortable with logical and methodical approaches to understanding real world phenomena. Leaving Cert Honours Maths and Leaving Cert Applied Maths, when well understood, are excellent indicators of ability in the field of mechatronic engineering.

Course Structure
Basic Science and Mathematics
As the roots of Mechatronic Engineering are in the sciences (particularly physics) and mathematics, you will take courses in physics fundamentals and engineering mathematics.

Electronic Circuit and System Design
Electronic components and systems are explored through electronics modules as well as modules on analogue and digital circuits and systems.

Mechanical Systems Design and Analysis
Materials Engineering, Fundamentals of Mechanics, Strength of Materials and the Mechanics of Machines provide a foundation for design and analysis of mechanical components and systems.

Software
Software design and analysis are an integral part of mechatronic engineering. Modules introducing general techniques of software development are given in Years one and two, with a focus on Embedded Systems in Year two. Students are also introduced to specific software tools (such as Matlab and Labview) throughout a range of modules and project work.

Mechatronics / Electromechanical System Design

A key emphasis of this programme is to unite the disciplines of mechanical engineering and electronic engineering over the 4 years. Modules such as the first-year project, the third-year group project and the Year four project are designed to develop mechatronic skills and awareness. In addition, another core area of mechatronic engineering is the design of electromechanical systems - systems that consist of both electrical and mechanical elements. A substantial part of the final years of the course is devoted to the design, simulation, analysis and control of such systems. The Mobile Robotics module is entirely project-based and embodies the key principles of mechatronic engineering. It is organised around a specific robotic design challenge and is intended to give students an opportunity to integrate and expand their knowledge in several different core areas: digital and analogue electronics, mechanics, software development and control systems.

Automated Manufacture
Another core area of Mechatronic Engineering is the use of electronics in manufacturing and assembly. In the fourth year, a significant emphasis is placed on autonomous technology and manufacturing automation.

Project Based Learning
Students will complete various projects during your four years, culminating in major individual projects in Year four. The projects will normally include elements of research, design, component sourcing, construction, testing and documentation. All projects must be based on at least two of the three core mechatronic elements (namely, mechanical, electronic and software design components).

Experiential Learning
In Year three students undertake an industrial work placement for six months (referred to as INTRA). This is usually with a business in Ireland but opportunities may arise abroad and there are also some research positions within DCU.

Expand+Year One
Engineering Mathematics 1 & 2
Statics and dynamics
Project Work and Technical Drawing
Materials Engineering
Introduction to Electronics
Fundamentals of Professional Development
Numerical Problem
Solving for Engineers
Basic Science...

Hide-Year One
Engineering Mathematics 1 & 2
Statics and dynamics
Project Work and Technical Drawing
Materials Engineering
Introduction to Electronics
Fundamentals of Professional Development
Numerical Problem
Solving for Engineers
Basic Sciences for Engineering
Software Development for Engineers

Year Two
Engineering Mathematics 3 & 4
Energy
Strength of Materials 1
Digital and Analogue Electronics 1 and 2
Circuits, Mechanics of Machines 1
Design and CADD
Systems, Embedded Systems
Pneumatics and Control

YEAR THREE
Product Design, Probability and Engineering Statistics
Measurement and Signal Processing
Electromechanical Systems
Mechanics of Machines 2
New Enterprise Development Project
Analogue Circuits and Design
Mobile Robotics
INTRA (Work Placement)

Year Four
4th Year Project
Manufacturing Automation
Control Systems Analysis
Image Processing and Analysis
Industrial Electronics
Project and Quality Management
Mechatronic System Simulation and Control
Robotics
Design for Manufacture and Assembly
Uaneen Non-Contributing Module (Optional)

The option to continue to fifth year leading to a Masters in
Mechatronic Engineering subject to achieving a H2.2 or above in the four year BEng course.
Look online for Year Five modules: www.dcu.ie/DC193