Engineering - Structural Engineering - Cork
The course is taught primarily through lectures, practicals, and tutorials. A significant emphasis is placed on project and experimental work with site visits and field trips making up an integral part of the coursework. The work placement in year 4 will familiarise the student with work practices and procedures and provide them with the opportunity to observe the practical application of theoretical knowledge gained on their programme.
| 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 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
Graduates will be well equipped to find employment opportunities in consulting engineering offices and with building & civil engineering contractors. They may also be employed by state and semi-state bodies, including local authorities and utilities boards.
• Consulting civil & structural engineers
• Civil engineering contractors
• State/semi-state bodies and utility companies
• Local authorities
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 one of two integrated MEng (level 9) programmes comprising 2 further years (4 semesters of study):
• MEng in Structural Engineering
• MEng in Civil Engineering (Environment & Energy)
Students may of course choose to remain on the BEng Honours programme and complete their studies to level 8 in the final year of the honours degree programme.
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
The course is taught primarily through lectures, practicals, and tutorials. A significant emphasis is placed on project and experimental work with site visits and field trips making up an integral part of the coursework. There is a continuing regional, national and international requirement for structural engineers with a knowledge of construction. The work placement in year 4 will familiarise the student with work practices and procedures and provide them with the opportunity to observe the practical application of theoretical knowledge gained on their programme. The placement is supported by a member of academic staff in MTU together with a workplace mentor. The aim of the industrial placement is to introduce the student to structured employment in a relevant work sector and to develop the student’s understanding of the organisation, its procedures and technology.
Accreditation
The BEng (Hons) in Structural 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. The taught MEng in Structural Engineering and the taught MEng in Civil Engineering (Environment and Energy), available in the Department as one year follow on courses, are fully accredited by Engineers Ireland as meeting the educational standard for Chartered Engineer.
Engineers Ireland represents all engineering disciplines in Ireland and is a member of Federation Europeene d’Associations Nationales d’Ingenieurs (FEANI) through which Irish engineers are recognised in Europe. Engineers Ireland is a signatory to the Washington Accord through which Irish engineers are recognised in USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and South Africa.
First Year at a Glance:
• Engineering Mechanics: understanding the performance of engineering materials when subject to external loads and forces
• CAD with Design: computer-aided design similar to the Leaving Certificate subject Design and Communication Graphics
• Engineering Physics: introduction to geometric optics, atomic and nuclear physics, electromagnetism, and thermal Physics
• Engineering Chemistry: fundamentals of atomic theory and chemical bonding; inorganic and physical chemistry
• Material Science and Engineering: understanding the nature and properties of engineering materials
• Land Surveying: theory and practical application of linear surveying, levelling angle measurement, and the measurement of buildings
• Engineering Mathematics: mathematical topics of direct relevance to professional engineering studies
• Communication Skills: assists students in the transition to third-level education; team projects, oral & written presentation skills
• Elective module
Brian O’Rourke
T: +353 (0)21 432 6485
E: brian.orourke@mtu.ie