Engineering - Mechanical Engineering - Cork
Studying mechanical engineering enables students to learn how to systematically design essential machine elements and to devise solutions ranging from R&D or manufacture in automotive, aerospace, power generation and biomedical engineering applications, to the commissioning and maintenance of industrial or pharmaceutical facilities.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | Munster Technological University |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | Munster Technological University | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
4 years full-time.
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Score the necessary CAO points and meet Leaving Certificate Minimum entry requirements
6 Subjects
Subjects O6/H7 4
Subjects H5 2
Maths Grade H4 Or (Ref. 2)
English or Irish Grade O6/H7
Ref. 2: The requirement for H4 Maths may also be satisfied by H4 in Applied Maths plus H6 in Maths.
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
Mechanical Engineering is a broad-based discipline offering career opportunities in design, manufacturing, technical support in a wide range of industries including oil/ gas, power generation, plant construction, medical devices, aerospace and automotive. Many mechanical engineers also progress into general management roles where their analytical skills are greatly valued.
• Mechanical engineering design
• Consulting project engineer
• Manufacturing and precision engineering
• Process industries including chemical and biopharmaceutical
• Aerospace
• Project engineering
• Offshore oil and gas
• Biomedical device design and manufacture
Further Studies
At the end of year 3, subject to a minimum of a H2.2 standard achieved in year 3, students may elect to transfer to the integrated MEng in Mechanical Engineering (Level 9) comprising two further years (4 semesters) of study. Suitably qualified Level 8 graduates are eligible to progress to taught master programmes or to research at either master or PhD level.
Further information
September 2026
20
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
Mechanical engineering involves the design, manufacture and operation of products, components or systems incorporating motion.
Studying mechanical engineering enables students to learn how to systematically design essential machine elements and to devise solutions ranging from R&D or manufacture in automotive, aerospace, power generation and biomedical engineering applications, to the commissioning and maintenance of industrial or pharmaceutical facilities.
Design and project work is a major feature of the course. The Innovative Project Development modules in year 3 enable students, working in teams, to bring a concept from the idea stage through to a finished prototype, considering the technical performance and commercial potential of their designs. In the final year, each student undertakes an individual project involving research, design, prototype development and experimental verification to meet a real need.
Honours degree graduates generally gain employment as mechanical, design, manufacturing, production, process, plant, project or maintenance technologists/engineers. They work in fields such as aerospace, automotive, computer and electronic manufacture, machine and plant design, power generation, engine design, contracting and consulting, biomedical and pharmaceutical sectors.
Students have the option of undertaking a work placement in industry or in a research laboratory in Ireland or abroad with one of our partner institutions. Examples include ICAM, (France), Einm (France), Uniten (Kuala Lumpur), University of Vigo (Spain), Czech Technical University in Prague, University of Applied Science, Frankfurt.
Accreditation
The BEng (Honours) in Mechanical Engineering is fully accredited by Engineers Ireland at the Bachelor (Honours) Level 8 educational standard. Further learning is required to meet the educational standard for Chartered Engineer.
First Year at a Glance:
• Engineering Physics: application of physics to engineering problems
• Properties of Materials: appropriate choice of materials to use for a particular engineering/device application
• Engineering Computing: programming for engineering applications using numerical methods
• Thermo/Fluid Mechanics: application of hot and cold fluid systems in engineering
• Mechanics: understanding the performance of engineering materials when subject to external loads and forces
• Engineering Chemistry: application of chemistry to engineering problems
• 3D CAD: computer-aided design (CAD) is similar to the Leaving Certificate subject Design and Communication Graphics
• Workshop: shaping and application of metal components
• Mathematics
Dr Andrew Cashman
T: +353 (0)21 433 5069
E: andrew.cashman@mtu.ie