Master of Engineering (Electrical & Electronic Engineering)

Course Overview

The Master of Engineering (ME at University of Galway is part of an integrated (Bachelors + Masters 4+1 programme of study, meeting the European Framework Standards for engineering accreditation. Successfully completing this (level 9 ME course, as part of an accredited 4+1 structure, will allow you to achieve the educational requirements for Chartered Engineer (CEng status upon graduation.

The ME programme on its own is a 60 ECTS one academic year course of study. Graduates with an honours degree in a cognate Engineering discipline may be eligible to take the ME. This will be of interest to graduates who wish to study more advanced topics in their core engineering discipline. Applicants wishing to use the ME programme as part of their CEng certification should be aware that professional accreditation is assessed by the Engineering Councils on the basis of the aggregate periods of study (Level 8 + Level 9, and not on the Masters year alone. Candidates need to satisfy themselves that their undergraduate (Level 8 degree meets the relevant standards.

This degree programme is ideally suited to graduates of Level 8 BE degrees in Electrical / Electronic Engineering (or equivalent who want to advance their engineering knowledge towards a career in industry or research based on electrical / electronic applications. The programme consists of 60 ECTS credits divided into three areas: advanced technologies in Electrical & Electronic Engineering (20–25 ECTS transferrable skills for employment in industry and/or a research career (15–20 ECTS and technology development through an Electrical & Electronic Engineering project and thesis. In order to provide graduates with flexibility to direct their careers in different sectors, project topics are available in the following technology areas:

• Embedded Systems Design
• Signal Processing & Communications
• Power Electronics & Energy Conversion
• Biomedical, Biometrics and Bio-inspired Electronics.

This full-time programme is at Level 9 in the Irish qualifications system and it has been designed to meet the educational requirements necessary for progression to Chartered Engineer status with Engineers Ireland. Recognition of the ME at Level 9 will apply for students who enter the programme with an accredited Level 8 Bachelors degree in Electrical / Electronic Engineering. Applicants wishing to use the ME programme as part of their Chartered CEng certification (who are not BE graduates from University of Galway should be aware that professional accreditation is assessed by the Engineering Councils on the basis of the aggregate periods of study (Level 8 + Level 9, and not on the Masters year alone. Therefore candidates need to satisfy themselves that their undergraduate (Level 8 degree meets the relevant standards for Chartered Engineer status. Accreditation for the programme will be sought after the first cohort of graduates emerges from the programme.

Scholarships available
Find out about our Postgraduate Scholarships here.

Entry to the programme is open to individuals who have Second Class Honours in a Level 8 degree in a related discipline from a recognised university or third-level college. Factors taken into account in determining admission include the specific content of the undergraduate degree, the applicant’s performance and the availability of places.

University of Galway has a long tradition of providing a high quality accredited bachelor degree (BE) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering and in Electronic and Computer Engineering. The new programme builds on this experience and the ME in Electrical and Electronic Engineering will see University of Galway educate a new generation of electrical and electronic engineers to even higher standards. Since 2013, the ME degree has been required to satisfy the educational requirements for progression to Chartered Engineer status. Graduates of the programme will be capable of working in any branch of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, including consultancy and contracting. As a programme that is targeted for accreditation, it will have international recognition at Level 9 through the Washington Accord.

This programme is offered within the new €40m Engineering Building, a14,200 square metre, modern, energy-efficient facility, and the largest School of Engineering in the country. The building is equipped with an extensive range of high-tech electrical and electronic engineering laboratory facilities which have been designed for teaching and research. The programme will be delivered by staff members who are world leaders in terms of research and industry interaction in the areas of power electronics, biomedical electronics and signal processing.