Key Info

Bachelor of Engineering in Design and Manufacture

NFQ Level 8 major Award Honours Bachelor Degree

Entry route(s):

Course code
LM116
Duration
4 Years
Subject area
Engineering
Course Director
Dr David Tanner
Email
David.Tanner@ul.ie
Admissions:
Tel
+353 (0)61 233755

Are you interested in clever designs that benefit people’s lives, in how they are produced in the real world meeting high technical standards, and how they are made affordable, accessible and sustainable? Are you interested in interacting with other people to achieve a common goal, and listening to people in a constructive manner? Are you interested in applying problem-solving techniques and practices to big real-world problems? Are you a hands-on person? If so, this course should suit you well.

What is (Programme) ( BE Design & Manufacture)? 

Design and Manufacture Engineering covers a range of topics which are directly relevant to solving big real-world problems. As we know, manufacturing is the backbone of modern society and creates the wealth of a nation. 

The vision for graduates from the BE in Design and Manufacture programme, is for them to design useful working products, seeing them developed from possibility and concept, through the practicalities of manufacture, to real use, and eventual recycling after their life’s end. In common with all UL programmes, the Engineers Ireland accredited BE in Design and Manufacture includes a cooperative education placement and adheres to traditional educational guidelines of preparation for the profession of engineering. 

In choosing to study this programme, you will build upon your skills and aptitude for design and analytical work. You will cover a range of subjects including fundamentals of design and production processes, computer-aided design, automation, materials, quality, capacity planning and simulation, costs and sustainability. The programme follows CDIO principles (Conceive-Design-implement- Operate) including active learning and problem-based learning these are important elements of the programme in each year.

 

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What you will study

Throughout this course, you will be provided with a strong foundation in both engineering and design principles, with a clear focus on project-based learning. You will also be provided with an in-depth knowledge of manufacturing processes and how products are made. You will be encouraged to develop design solutions to real-life problems. 

This four-year programme consists of eight semesters and is divided into two parts. Part I, comprising the first year of study, will provide a foundation in the fundamental engineering subjects and makes up for variations in the background of individual students. The modules during the first year are common to Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering and Biomedical Engineering. 

Part II comprises the remaining three years. The final degree award is based on your performance during these three years. Generally, you will study five modules per semester, with each semester worth 30 credits. Each semester contains a mix of design and manufacturing related subjects including areas such as the fundamentals of design, automation, supply chain design and advanced manufacturing processes. You will also achieve a high level of capability with SolidWorks and will use Conceive-Design-Implement-Operate (CDIO) approach with an emphasis on Engineering Design and project based learning. 

At the end of Year 2, you will undertake a work placement in industry for an eight-month Cooperative Education period. This period provides experience of the practice and application of engineering methods in an industrial environment. You will then return to the University for the spring semester of third year. 

An important feature of this programme is the final year project (FYP). The individual project topic will be allocated to you near the end of third year, following an extensive consultation process. You will have almost 12 months to undertake this major piece of work and prepare a report of the work for assessment. The project is an opportunity for you to express your creative and analytical skills in an imaginative and professional way and many students are proud to show their work at subsequent job interviews. 

By the end of this course, you will be in a position to manage the lifecycle of new products from design, through production and on to end-of-life recycling. 

Topics covered include:

• Production Technology 

• Automation 

• Mechanics of solids 

• Engineering Design (Advanced SolidWorks) 

• Finite Element Analysis 

• Metrology and Statistical Process Control 

• Simulation Modelling and Analysis 

• Engineering Economics, Ethics and Sustainability

Year 1 Semester 1   Semester 2
CH4001 Chemistry for Engineers MA4002 Engineering Mathematics 2
EE4001 Electrical Engineering 1 ME4111 Engineering Mechanics 1
EE4011 Engineering Computing ME4412 Fluid Mechanics 1
MA4001 Engineering Mathematics 1 MT4002 Materials 1
ME4001 Introduction to Engineering 1   Choose 1
ME4121 Engineering Science 1 ME4032 Structural Engineering Design
    ME4042 Introduction to Design for Manufacture

 

Year 2 Semester 3   Semester 4   Summer
DM4003 Operations Modelling (ENG) DM4004 Plant Automation (ENG) CO4230 Cooperative Education 1
MA4003 Engineering Mathematics 3 IE4214 Industrial Organisation    
ME4213 Mechanics of Solid 1 MA4004 Engineering Mathematics 4    
ME5031 Design Methodology MF4024 Manufacturing Processes 4    
PD4003 Ergonomics Foundation MF4756 Product Design and Modelling    
Year 3 Semester 5   Semester 6
CO4310 Cooperative Education 2 DM4006 Engineering Design
    DM4016 Product Automation
    IE4248 Project Planning and Control
    ME4226 Mechanics of Solids 2
    MF4733 Manufacturing Information Systems
Year 1 Semester 1   Semester 2
DM4007 Design Project 1 DM4008 Design Project 2
DM4017 Simulation Modelling and Analysis DM4018 Design Project 3
DM4027 Measurement and Quality Systems (ENG) DM4028 Engineering Sustainable Products
MA4007 Experimental Design MF4038 Advanced Manufacturing Systems
  Choose 1 MF4736 Engineering Economy
ME4427 Medical Device Design and Placement    
PT4005 Supply Chain Design    
PT4427 Design for Manufacture    

Entry requirements

Minimum grades

Applicants are required to hold at the time of enrolment the established Leaving Certificate (or an approved equivalent) with a minimum of six subjects which must include: Two H5 (Higher Level) grades and Four O6 (Ordinary Level) grades or four H7 (Higher Level) grades. Subjects must include Mathematics, Irish or another language, and English.

Subject requirements

In addition, applicants must hold a minimum grade H4 in Mathematics and grade O6/H7 in one of the following: Physics, Chemistry, Physics with Chemistry, Engineering, Technology, Design & Communication Graphics/ Technical Drawing, Biology, Agricultural Science, Applied Maths, Construction Studies.

Additional considerations

A Special Mathematics (Higher Level) Examination will be offered at UL following the Leaving Certificate results for those students who did not achieve the Mathematics requirement.

We welcome applications from mature students. Mature applicants must apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO) by 1 February.

Application information for mature student applicants (PDF)

Non-EU Entry Requirements

Entry route to Design and Manufacture Engineering at UL is via LM116 Engineering Common Entry

How to apply

Where are you applying from? How to Apply
Ireland Irish students must apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found here. 
The UK  Students who have completed their A-Levels can apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found on the Academic Registry website. 
The EU EU Students can apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found on the Academic Registry website.
Non-EU country If you are outside of the EU, you can apply for this degree here.

Fees and funding

Student course fees are broken into three components - Student contribution, Student Levy and Tuition Fees.

A number of illustrative examples of fees for this course based on the current fee levels have been set out in the tables below.

An explanation of the components, how to determine status and the criteria involved is provided below the examples as is a list of possible scholarships and funding available.

EU Students with Free fees status in receipt of a SUSI grant

HEA pays Tuition Fees €4,262
SUSI pays Student contribution €3,000
Student pays Student Levy €100
€7,362

EU Students with Free fees status not in receipt of a grant

HEA pays Tuition Fees €4,262
Student pays Student contribution €3,000
Student pays Student Levy €100
€7,362

Students with EU fee status not in receipt of a grant

Student pays Tuition Fees €4,262
Student pays Student contribution €3,000
Student pays Student Levy €100
€7,362

Non-EU Students

Student pays Tuition Fees €20,900
Student pays Student Levy €100
€21,000

Student course fees are comprised of the following components:

Student Contribution

Annual charge set by the government for all full-time third level students. All students are liable unless they have been approved for a grant by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). Please refer to https://www.studentfinance.ie to determine your eligibility for a grant and for instructions on how to apply. The current student contribution is set at €3000.

Student Levy

All students are liable to pay the Student Levy of €100. Please note the Student Levy is not covered by the SUSI Grant.

Tuition Fees

These are based on Residency, Citizenship, Course requirements.

Review the three groups of criteria to determine your fee status as follows

  1. Residency
    • You must have been living in an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland for at least 3 of the 5 years before starting your course
  2. Citizenship
    • You must be a citizen of an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland or have official refugee status
  3. Course Requirements (all must be met)
    • You must be a first time full-time undergraduate (Exceptions are provided for students who hold a Level 6 or Level 7 qualification and are progressing to a Level 8 course in the same general area of study).
    • You must be undertaking a full-time undergraduate course of at least 2 year’s duration
    • You cannot be undertaking a repeat year of study at the same level unless evidence of exceptional circumstances eg serious illness is provided (in which case this condition may be waived)

Depending on how you meet these criteria your status will be one of the following -

  • Free Fee Status: You satisfy all three categories (1, 2 and 3) and therefore are eligible for the Higher Education Authority’s Free Fees scheme.
  • EU Fee Status: You satisfy the citizenship and/or residency criteria but fail to satisfy the course requirements and are liable to EU fees
  • Non EU Fee Status: You do not meet either the citizenship or residency criteria and are therefore liable to Non EU fees.

More information about fees can be found on the Finance website

These scholarships are available for this course

These scholarships are available for all courses

Your future career

Employability skills from this degree: A wide range of employers are seeking graduates with these skills, and the skills are highly transferable across many industry sectors from biomedical devices to Tesla cars to agricultural products. Based on a recent survey, graduates of this programme are working in industries including Industrial Machinery Manufacturing, Medical Equipment Manufacturing, Design Services and Pharmaceutical Manufacturing.  The current major employers include Stryker, Boston Scientific, Regeneron, Johnson & Johnson Vision & Modular Automation.  

The year after graduating with this degree (This section will be amended by Cooperative Division). 

 

Follow-On Study

Students graduating from this degree can undertake the MEng in Mechatronics or many other masters programmes in other disciplines at UL. There are also lots of research opportunities to masters or doctorate level available in the areas of Design and Manufacture. UL has strong, funded research programmes in a number of manufacturing disciplines. 

 

Job titles for graduates with this degree: 

  • Field Services Engineer
  • Process Engineer
  • Design Engineer
  • Process Development Engineer
  • Manufacturing Engineer
  • Operational Specialist
  • Mechanical Design Engineer

Student Profiles

Cian Hogan

I chose Design and Manufacture Engineering as my elective for the Common Entry Engineering degree because it encompasses a good mix of the technical drawing and problem-solving skills I liked in school. Design and Manufacture Engineering is a great course for gaining practical knowledge about current practices and equipment used in the manufacturing industry today. Throughout the four years, I gained experience in many relevant areas for industry like how to effectively use CAD software SolidWorks, how to work with electrical and pneumatic systems and how modern manufacturing methods like 3D printing work. The combination of expert lecturers, enthusiastic classmates and interesting, industry relevant modules made the course feel relevant to life after university, but above all very enjoyable to me. 

For my 8-month Co-op Placement in 3rd year, I was based in Modular Automation in Shannon, Co. Clare. Modular are a solutions partner to industry leading Med-Tech companies around the globe. While I was in Modular, I was given the opportunity to work on many projects by designing custom equipment from scratch, detailing drawings and then ordering these parts from vendors. While on Coop, I was able to use the skills I gained on my course to contribute to innovative design in industry. One benefit of the Co-op program in UL is that you gain 8 months industry experience while in university, which always helps with job opportunities after college. It also helps that the manufacturing industry in Ireland is booming now! My successful UL Coop period at Modular has led me right back to them now where I work as a Mechanical Design Engineer, all thanks to the skills I gained in my Design and Manufacture Degree.


 

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Cian Hogan

Lisa Daly

When I was 17 I did not realise I wanted to become an engineer because I did not fully understand what engineers learnt in college or did in work. Due to this I had not chosen many Leaving Certificate subjects that were applicable to engineering but I did love Technical Graphics. I specifically chose Design and Manufacture Engineering because I wanted to learn how products are innovated, the design considerations and the practicalities of sustainable manufacturing. The modules in Design and Manufacture foster engaging group and individual project work, finishing with the FYP.

I chose the University of Limerick for the fantastic resources that they offer to students such as the maths learning centre, clubs and societies as well as the Co-op placement. I did my Co-op placement with Abbott Diagnostics. While I was on placement, I gained project management skills in a professional setting and applied the theoretical knowledge I learned from my degree like Solidworks, Lean Manufacturing and Operations Management. My Co-op with Abbott gave me a foundation in understanding manufacturing businesses as a whole. This foundation set me up well for Abbott's global rotational program where I have since worked in various roles from project engineer, operations supervisor and procurement specialist across Ireland, the United States and the Netherlands.