Engineering - Marine Engineering - NMCI Ringaskiddy
The function of the marine engineer is to operate and maintain the engines, boilers, generators and other systems of ships. Most of the mechanical equipment aboard ship is operated and maintained by marine engineers. This course aims to provide a sound knowledge base of marine engineering.
| Award Name | Degree - Ordinary Bachelor (Level 7 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | Munster Technological University |
| NFQ Level | Level 7 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Ordinary Bachelor (Level 7 NFQ) | Major | Munster Technological University | Level 7 NFQ |
Duration
3 years full-time.
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Score the necessary CAO points and meet Leaving Certificate Minimum entry requirements
5 Subjects
Subjects O6/H7 5
Subjects H5 0
Maths Grade O6/H7
English or Irish Grade O6/H7
Applicants must pass the approved medical fitness and eyesight tests and are strongly recommended to attend a career advisory session. Offer of a place on the course will be subject to passing the medical fitness and eyesight tests at the time of offer.
Leaving Certificate General Entry Requirements
Minimum entry requirements may be satisfied by the results of more than one Leaving Certificate. The minimum entry requirements may be varied for non-standard applicants and holders of QQI-FET awards.
2nd Chance Maths Exam
Some students who apply for MTU courses may not achieve the required entry standard in Maths through the Leaving Certificate examination. For such applicants, the University offers a second chance to reach the required entry standard through a MTU Maths Exam.
This second chance facility allows applicants (depending on their results in the MTU Maths Exam) to gain entry to courses with an Ordinary Leaving Certificate Maths entry standard and (with a higher level of performance) courses with a Higher Leaving Certificate Maths entry standard.
Common Bonus Points Scale for Higher Level Maths
A bonus of 25 points is awarded to applicants who achieve a grade H6 or above in higher level (HL) Maths.
Formula:
All students presenting H6 or above in HL Maths will have 25 points added to their score for Maths.
The six highest subject points scores will then be counted to achieve a cumulative points score, as is normal practice. The bonus points will only be relevant in cases where the subject HL mathematics (including bonus points) is scored as one of the candidate’s six best subjects for points purposes. Consequently, if HL mathematics (cumulative points score) is not among these six subjects, the bonus points will not be included in the total points score. Bonus points will be awarded irrespective of the year in which the examinations were taken.
Foundation Maths
A minimum grade of F2 in foundation level Maths fulfils the minimum entry requirements in Maths for the following programmes
MT 571 BA in Early Childhood Education and Care
MT 574 BA in Social Care
MT 654 HC in Arts in Hospitality Studies
MT 655 HC in Arts in Culinary Studies
MT 971 BA (Honours) in Early Childhood Education and Care
MT 974 BA (Honours) in Social Care
Maths is not required for entry to:
MT 575 BA in Community Development
MT 572 BA in Early Childhood Education & Care
MT 820 BA (Honours) in Contemporary Applied Art (Ceramics, Glass, Textiles)
MT 821 BA (Honours) in Fine Art
MT 822 BA (Honours) in Photography with New Media
MT 823 BA (Honours) in Visual Communications
MT 931 BA (Honours) in Popular Music - Electric Guitar
MT 932 BA (Honours) in Popular Music - Electric Bass Guitar
MT 933 BA (Honours) on Popular Music - Keyboards
MT 934 BA (Honours) in Popular Music - Drums
MT 935 BA (Honours) in Popular Music - Voice
MT 936 BA (Honours) in Music
MT 938 BA (Honours) in Musical Theatre
MT 939 BA (Honours in Theatre and Drama Studies
Although not a requirement, if an applicant achieves a minimum grade of F2 in foundation level Maths, this grade is recognised for entry and CAO points are awarded as follows: F1 = 20 points, F2 = 12 points.
Full details of the minimum entry requirements for courses are outlined on the relevant course webpage. Applicants are advised to check the relevant subjects, tests, portfolios, and dates very carefully. In particular, there are early assessment procedures for some courses.
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
Holders of the LCVP apply in the normal way through the CAO. Points are awarded on the same basis as for the Leaving Certificate. The link modules ‘subject’ may not be used to meet the minimum entry requirements.
Leaving Certificate Applied Programme LCAP
The LCA subjects do not meet the minimum requirements for entry to MTU full-time courses. Holders of Leaving Certificate Applied qualifications may wish to proceed to a FET-QQI course and in turn apply to third level on the basis of their FET-QQI award.
Careers / Further progression
Employment Opportunities
Qualified marine engineers are highly sought after both at sea and ashore. Seagoing roles can include work as marine engineers on oil & gas offshore support vessels, super and mega yachts, cruise ships, and offshore wind farm support vessels. Shore roles include engineering surveyor, engineering management roles in the ports sector, the energy sector and in facility engineering for the pharmaceutical, power stations, refinery, dairy and hospital sectors.
Further Studies
There are opportunities for further study in order that cadets will progress from the Officer of the Watch Level on to the Second Engineer Officer Certificate of Competency (CoC), and in due course to the Chief Engineer Officer Certificate of Competency with a combination of sea service, further study, and examinations.
Further information
September 2026
40
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
Overview
The function of the marine engineer is to operate and maintain the engines, boilers, generators and other systems of ships. Most of the mechanical equipment aboard ship is operated and maintained by marine engineers. This course aims to provide a sound knowledge base of marine engineering.
As well as lectures, training is provided in marine, electrical, welding and mechanical workshops, supplemented with practical work in the College engine room, and simulation exercises in the machinery and cargo handling simulation suites.
Students who successfully complete year 1 and 2 are expected to be placed in a commercial ship, for practical training experience, and to gain the necessary ‘seatime’ for the Department of Transport Certificate of Competency, in their third year. In addition, while at sea, students must complete a comprehensive workplace training programme including training records, journals and other documents associated with the training programme, as specified from time to time.
It should be noted that while every endeavour will be made to secure a suitable sea training berth, this is outside the control of MTU/NMCI and the College cannot accept responsibility for difficulties in securing such a berth.
First Year at a Glance:
• Introduction to Marine Engineering: the principles and practical aspects of marine engineering systems found on board ship
• Physics for Marine Engineers: giving an enhanced understanding of the physics principles underlying all engineering practice
• Mechanics: basic principles of forces and movements that are fundamental to engineering design and understanding why certain materials are chosen for different engineering applications
• Mechanical Workshop: a practical workshop module which gives a fundamental understanding of materials and the fabrication of designed components
• Technological Mathematics: offers great support to students in the first year of the engineering programme
• Introduction to Thermodynamics: learn how to apply the First Law of Thermodynamics and distinguish between the concepts of heat and temperature
• Electrical and Electronic Principles: gives students an understanding of the theoretical and practical principles of basic electrical and electronic components and circuits
• Marine Power Systems: this module gives students an understanding of ships’ power generation and distribution systems as well as a practical understanding of wiring basic control systems
Brendan Courtney
Tel: +353 (0)21 433 5600
Email: nmci.admissions@mtu.ie