Engineering - Waterford
This common entry degree programme is aimed at giving you a solid foundation in engineering while allowing you a little extra time to decide exactly which area of engineering you would like to study.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | South East Technological University |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | South East Technological University | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
4 years, full-time.
Specific Subjects or course requirements
2 subjects: H5
4 subjects: O6/H7
English or Irish: O6/H7
Mathematics: O2/H6
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
Entry requirements for Honours Bachelor Degrees (Level 8)
This link module can be used in place of a sixth Leaving Certificate subject and will be accepted as meeting the six subject eligibility requirements for entry to honours degree courses.
Entry requirements for Ordinary Bachelor Degree (Level 7) and Higher Certificate (Level 6)
The LCVP link module can also be used in place of a fifth Leaving Certificate subject and will be accepted as meeting the five subject eligibility requirements for entry to ordinary bachelor degree and higher certificate courses
GRADE POINTS
Distinction 66
Merit 46
Pass 28
Leaving Certificate Applied Programme LCAP
The Leaving Certificate Applied Programme was designed primarily to prepare students for the transition from school to working life. It is not intended for direct tansfer into third level. However, students with the LCAP who have completed a QQI FET/FETAC award can be considered for entry.
QQI FET Applicants General Information
Students who have completed a full QQI-FET award at Level 5, and achieved at least three distinctions, are eligible to apply through CAO for entry to Year 1 on to Level 6, 7 and 8 courses. Students who have completed a full QQI-FET award at Level 6 may be eligible to enter Year 2.
The maximum possible points awarded through QQI-FET is 390. The scoring system only applies where all of the requirements for the major award are met i.e. where the named component awards specified have been achieved to a minimum of 120 credits.
Progression Scheme
The Progression Scheme is an additional opportunity for students who successfully complete a QQI FET Award in a partner Colleges of Further Education and Training College/Centre to gain entry to SETU programmes. The list of partner Further Education and Training Colleges/Centres, relevant SETU programmes, linked QQI FET Awards and the criteria for the scheme are available at www.setu.ie/progression.
Careers / Further progression
Career opportunities
There are many types of Engineering all of which are focused on making a better world. Studying Engineering leads to exciting career options at home and abroad with top salaries across a wide range of industries. Engineers are shaping the future by applying their valuable knowledge and skills. They are central to innovation and new product development.
COMMON ENTRY — Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Automation Engineering
Career opportunities Graduates for the BEng (Honours) in Automation Engineering may find employment in the following areas:
Automation Engineering
Control Engineering
Research & Development
Test and Measurement
Data Intelligence
Network Management
COMMON ENTRY — Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Sustainable Energy Engineering
Career opportunities
Graduates from the BEng (Honours) in Sustainable Energy Engineering will be equipped with the knowledge and skills required to pursue a career within the energy sector either in Ireland or abroad. No two days as an energy engineer are the same. Graduates may find employment in the following areas::
• Renewable Energy
• Energy Systems Management
• Low Energy Building Design
• Energy Auditing
• BIM & Energy Simulation
• Site Engineer
COMMON ENTRY — Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Sustainable Civil Engineering
Career opportunities
This course was established in 2010 and is very well regarded by industry, both in Ireland and internationally. Having a civil engineering qualification that has sustainability as its core theme enables graduates to undertake a variety of design and construction roles in the future civil engineering industry.
COMMON ENTRY — Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Electronic Engineering
Career opportunities
Graduates of BEng (Honours) in Electronic Engineering may find employment in the following areas:
• Robotics
• Mobile Systems
• Circuit Design
• Testing / Servicing
• Internet of Things
• Software/IT
• Medical Techologies
• Pharmaceutical
• Manufacturing Transport/Aviation
• Aerospace Tech
• Industry
• Consumer Electronics
• Renewable Energy
COMMON ENTRY — Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Electrical Engineering
Career opportunities
Employment Opportunities for BEng (Honours) in Electrical Engineering graduates. Graduates from this programme may find employment in fields such as:
• Pharmaceutical Industry
• Medical Technology
• Process Control & Plant Automation
• Power Generation
• Renewable Energies
• Semiconductor Fabrication Industries
Further information
September 2026
Mature Student Applications
A mature student is someone who is at least 23 years of age on 1 January of the year of entry to an undergraduate course and who may not meet the normal admission requirements. Applications are made through the CAO before the 1 February or before late application deadline of 1 May 2026. Applicants are assessed based on the information they enter on their CAO application. Note: You must apply for nursing and music courses by 1 February 2026.
Selection Process – Nursing Applications
Mature applicants for nursing courses will receive correspondence under separate cover from the Nursing Careers Centre (Public Appointments Service - PAS). For full details on the application process see www.nursingcareers.ie.
Mature Applicant – Change of Mind
The Change of Mind facility becomes available after 1 May and the closing date is 1 July.
The Change of Mind facility affords mature applicants an opportunity to change the order of preference only of their course choices. If applicants introduce a new programme to their list of choices by way of Change of Mind, they will compete for a place on that programme based on their Leaving Certificate or equivalent results only. They will not compete as a mature applicant.
Non-standard application
A non-standard application is one that does not meet the definition of a standard application.
The special categories are:
• GCE/GCSE
• Other school leaving exams
• NCVA Level 2/3
• FETAC Level 5/6
• Further Education (other than QQI)
• Mature
• Higher/Third Level Education
Applicants wishing to make a non-standard application must select the relevant category when applying to the CAO.
Entry 2026
Early online application (discounted): Fee €35 Closing Date: 20 January 2026 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €50 Closing Date: 1 February 2026 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2026 CAO Handbook): Fee: €65 Closing Date: 1 May 2026 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2026 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2026 at 5pm
Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid making an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all application fees are non-refundable.
LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5pm on 1 February 2026. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2026, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2026 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2026 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €65 applies.
Restrictions
As a CAO applicant you may experience one or more of the following restrictions based on your course choices, your category of application, or restrictions imposed by the HEIs that you wish to apply to. Please read the section on 'Restrictions' on page 3 of the 2026 CAO Handbook carefully. This section includes information on:
General Restrictions
1. Making a late application
2. Making changes to your course choices
Restricted Courses
3. Applying for a restricted course
Mature Applicants
4. Mature applicants
Supplementary Admissions Routes
5. Applying for DARE and/or HEAR
About the course
The common engineering honours entry scheme is for students interested in engineering as a career, but who may be unsure of which discipline to follow. Year 1 gives students the opportunity to explore the five Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) degree options and decide which is best for them: Automation, Electrical, Electronic, Sustainable Civil and Sustainable Energy.
Engineering — COMMON ENTRY Degree Options
Automation Engineering
SE700 BEng (Honours) – NFQ Level 8
Sustainable Energy Engineering
SE700 BEng (Honours) – NFQ Level 8
Sustainable Civil Engineering
SE700 BEng (Honours) – NFQ Level 8
Electronic Engineering
SE700 BEng (Honours) – NFQ Level 8
Electrical Engineering
SE700 BEng (Honours) – NFQ Level 8
Follow on Study
Postgraduate Study — MEng, MSc or PhD
COMMON ENTRY — Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Automation Engineering Stream
About the course
Modern automation engineering combines elements of electronics, interfacing, instrumentation, software programming, robotics, networking, databases and data intelligence which are highly sought-after skills in sectors such as the pharmaceutical, medical device and food industries.
COMMON ENTRY — Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Sustainable Energy Engineering Stream
About the course
This programme investigates energy and its uses in areas such as sustainable low energy building design, low and zero carbon heat and power generation technologies (including renewables), energy management, energy storage and carbon emissions.
Become an engineer who designs energy systems, optimise energy performance, understands alternative energy technologies and environmental impact.
COMMON ENTRY — Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Sustainable Civil Engineering Stream
About the course
Civil Engineers work to achieve safe and sustainable development in a cost-effective, environmentally protective and socially responsible manner.
They utilise engineering principles to enhance the built and natural environment, and contribute to environmental protection and remediation, water conservation, environmental biotechnology, materials and infrastructure development.
COMMON ENTRY — Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Electronic Engineering Stream
About the course
The BEng (Hons) in Electronic Engineering is a full-time, four year, honours degree course of study that can be chosen within the Engineering Common Entry Route. This course is recognised by Engineers Ireland (EI) and prepares students for employment in the electronics industry.
COMMON ENTRY — Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Electrical Engineering Stream
About the course
Electrical Engineering is concerned with the generation, transmission and distribution of Electrical power, the design and development of electrical machines and equipment and the specification of electrical service plans for industrial buildings and facilities
COMMON ENTRY - All Streams
Year 1 Modules
Semester 1
Intro to Engineering
Engineering Computing
Engineering Maths 1
Engineering Professionalism
Engineering Physics 1
Semester 2
Engineering Maths 2
Engineering Physics 2
*Choose 4 Electives
Mechanics 1
Management for Engineers
BIM1
Land Surveying & Sustainable Energy
Intro to Embedded Programming
Intro to Electronic & Electrical Technology
DC Circuit Theory
Analogue Electronic Devices
COMMON ENTRY — Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Automation Engineering Stream Lead
Dominick O’Brien MEng
E: dominick.obrien@setu.ie
COMMON ENTRY — Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Sustainable Energy Engineering Stream Lead
Colm Tynan MEng
E: colm.tynan@setu.ie
COMMON ENTRY — Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Sustainable Civil Engineering Stream Lead
Fintan Ryan MSc
E: fintan.ryan@setu.ie
COMMON ENTRY — Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Electronic Engineering Stream Lead
Fergal O’Hanlon MEng
E: fergal.ohanlon@setu.ie
COMMON ENTRY — Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Electrical Engineering Stream Lead
Siobhan Wall MEng
E: siobhan.wall@setu.ie