Integrated B.E.-M.E. in Engineering (Energy Systems)

Course Overview

Energy Systems Engineers are the people who are transforming the way we use, store and produce energy, meeting the world's growing energy needs, protecting the environment, and increasing energy security. This course prepares you with the fundamentals of mathematics, physics, chemistry, and engineering, hands-on labs in our state-of-the-art facilities, energy-focused classes on topics like zero carbon energy systems, fuels and hydrogen, zero energy buildings, smart grids, and more. Individual and group projects aligned with community and industry partners throughout the course enables you to explore the energy and environment challenge in hands-on, practical and meaningful ways. All students undertake an 8-month industry work placement as part of the Energy Systems Engineering programme.

Work placement

All Energy Systems Engineering students undertake a work placement for eight months. Energy Systems Engineering employers include ESB, SSE, Thermo King, DP Energy, Wood, EirGrid, Shell, CIÉ, Fingleton White, and Boston Scientific. In the unlikely event that no external placement is available, students will be given projects on campus. We also provide opportunities for students to pursue international work placements. Many of our students have completed their work placement overseas, in places like the UK, USA, Germany, South America and Australia.

Study Abroad

Fourth-year students have the opportunity to participate in a one-semester Erasmus exchange with the University of Seville in Spain. Other exchanges with European universities are being established over the coming years. Energy Systems Engineering students can also participate in courses run by the ENLIGHT Erasmus+ project, which has partner universities in Belgium, Estonia, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Career Opportunities

Energy Systems Engineering graduates are ideally suited for careers in power generation and transmission, smart grid design and roll-out, green hydrogen, energy supply management, design of energy-efficient products and processes, sustainable transformation of organisations, communities and businesses, development and roll-out of renewable fuels and infrastructure, design of sustainable transport, environmental protection, and research. They are employed at some of the world’s leading companies including ESB, EM3, Toyota, Gas Networks Ireland, EirGrid, Accenture, Kingspan, Carbon Trust, SSE, Deutsche Bahn, and General Electric.

Minimum Grade H5 in two subjects and passes in four other subjects at O6/H7 Level in the Leaving Certificate, including Irish, English, Mathematics, a laboratory science subject (i.e., Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Physics with Chemistry (joint), Agricultural Science or Computer Science) or Technology, and any two other subjects recognised for entry purposes. Additional requirements: Minimum H4 in Mathematics or, alternatively, obtain a pass in the Engineering Maths Qualifying Exam (held in the University).

Why choose Energy Systems Engineering?

• Energy Systems Engineering is a multidisciplinary programme designed to equip graduates to lead the transition to a sustainable, secure and resilient energy future.
• Energy Systems Engineers can be found in companies that design and build giant wind turbines, in the control room of our power grid, rolling out electric vehicles, and charging networks, deploying green hydrogen infrastructure and designing zero carbon buildings.
• Graduates of the integrated BE/ME in Energy Systems Engineering are awarded a Level 8 Bachelors degree as well as a Level 9 Masters degree.
• The integrated BE/ME programme is fully accredited by Engineers Ireland and allows graduates to achieve the educational requirements for Chartered Engineer (CEng) status.