Key Info

Bachelor of Science in Construction Management and Engineering

NFQ Level 8 major Award Honours Bachelor Degree
CAO points history
430
Course code
LM082
Duration
4 Years
Subject area
Engineering
Course Director
Dr John Spillane
Email
john.spillane@ul.ie
Admissions:
Tel
+353 (0)61 233755

The main aim of the course is to give you the skills to take projects from design to reality. The course will provide you with a broadly based management and technological education so that you are capable of recognising, evaluating and solving constructional and business problems associated with building and civil engineering projects.

The course will teach you how to adapt to technological change in a competitive industrial climate.

Managing construction projects requires a high level of organization, both commercially and technologically. Construction management prepares you to systematically plan, organise and manage resources such as finance, labour, plant and materials. Construction engineering gives you the skills necessary to implement processes and methods of construction to produce a quality building in an efficient and safe manner.

Learn more about our courses and upcoming events

Explore
our campus

What you will study

In Year 1 of the programme you will be provided with a foundation in Mathematics and Science, and an introduction to Materials, Design, Construction Technology, Economics and Graphic Communication skills. You will develop key skills in writing, data analysis, project planning and Building Information Modelling (BIM).

  Semester 1   Semester 2 Summer
EC2001 Introduction to Economics WT4502 Construction Technology 2  
MG4031 Management Principles MT4002 Materials 1  
WT4401 Construction Technology and Management 1 PH4032 Physics for General Science 2  
PT4121 Communication Graphics MA4702 Technology Mathematics 2  
MA4701 Technological Mathematics 1 WT4202 Design Studio 1  

Year 2 develops modules in Construction Technology and CAD. The study of Structural Mechanics gives you a foundation for the later module in structural design. The first module in Building Services will teach you how to deliver sustainable building services. You will also learn about Land Surveying which is an important tool for measurement control in construction. A module in Employee Regulations gives an insight into personnel management skills.

 

  Semester 3   Semester 4 Summer
WT4503 Structural Mechanics WT4504 Building Services 1  
PM4603 Employee Regulations for Engineers and Scientists WT4704 Building Measurement  
WT4003 Construction Technology and Management 3 WT4804 Estimating and Costing  
WT4505 Building Economics WT4604 Land Surveying  
PT4423 2D CAD WT4014 Introduction to Geology and Soil Mechanics  

In Year 3, modules in Building Production and Building & Construction Regulations will teach you a range of skills that will prove useful during your CoOp placement the following semester. The module in Structural Design gives you an understanding of design and involves you in material selection and calculations.

The second semester of year 3 and summer period CoOp experience will allow you the opportunity to practice all or some of the key skills you have learned and help you to develop a brief for your Final Year Project.

  Semester 5   Semester 6 Summer
WT4301 Building and Construction Regulations 1   Cooperative Education  
MT4105 Quality Systems      
WT4605 Procurement and Contracting      
WT4705 Building Production      
WT4117 Structural Design      

Year 4 completes the suite of Construction Technology and Building Services modules. The module Procurement and Contracting 2 introduces you to the legislative and contractual constraints and obligations that you will meet in construction projects. Financial Accounting teaches you the key elements necessary for the financial control of projects/business. A module in Project Planning and Control pulls together all aspects of the course so that all elements of the management of construction projects are understood.

Your final year project over the last two semesters will encourage you in self-directed learning, in identifying and resolving a complex construction-related problem. For many students, the initiative for their project arises during work placement; for others, it is a subject that they have a passion for.

  Semester 7   Semester 8 Summer
WT4507 Forensic Engineering and Ethics WT4208 Building Services 2  
WT4807 Project 1 AC4214 Accounting for Financial Decision Making  
WT4707 Construction Technology and Management 4 WT4808 Project 2  
AC4213 Financial Accounting CE4058 Project Planning & Control for the Built Environment  
    CE4068 Procurement/Contracting 2  

Entry requirements

CAO points history
430
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 O3/H7 in Mathematics and grade O4/H7 in any one of the following: Applied Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Physics with Chemistry, Engineering, Design & Communication Graphics/Technical Drawing, Technology, Computer Science Construction Studies, Agricultural Science, Biology.

Exemptions: NFQ (National Framework of Qualifications) Level 7 holders in Construction or Building Management, of 3 years duration, passed with credit or distinction, will be considered for exemption from the first two years of the degree programme

Additional considerations

A Special Mathematics 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)

QQI Entry

Certain QQI Awards are acceptable in fulfilling admission requirements for this programme. Visit the UL Undergraduate Admissions QQI site for a full list of modules.

Non-EU Entry Requirements

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

  • Dealing with complex technical detail and the wider demands of a project
  • Working in teams
  • Communicating (written and verbal)
  • Planning and managing construction projects
  • Assimilating new information quickly
  • Analysing and critically examining a range of information sources for decision-making
  • Researching in-depth problems to design real solutions
  • Gathering, summarising and presenting information
  • Leadership and management of employees
  • Technical expertise
  • Logical thinking, numeracy and computing
  • An understanding of compliance (e.g. health and safety)

Further study Options

Job titles for graduates with this degree

  • Project Manager 
  • Assistant Project Manager 
  • Construction Manager 
  • Assistant Construction Manager 
  • Construction Engineer 
  • Project Engineer 
  • Assistant Project Engineer 
  • Site Engineer 
  • Assistant Site Engineer 
  • Site Manager 
  • Assistant Site Manager 
  • Health & Safety Engineering Manager 
  • Property Manager 
  • Quantity Surveyor 
  • Estimator 
  • Site Surveyor 
  • Building Energy Rating Assessor 

Student profiles

Image
Bríd Lowry

Bríd Lowry 

Before finishing my Leaving Cert, I had always envisioned a career in Construction. I decided to study Construction Management and Engineering in UL mainly because of the broad range of modules on offer. One of the main attractions for me was the chance to learn through practical and theoretical methods. 

Initially, I was drawn to this course over others as it was one of the only course offering engineering modules as part of a Construction Management degree at the time. I enjoyed the many practical elements to the course, both through modules and the 8 month co-op placement. 

I undertook my co-op with a Civil Construction Contractor in San Francisco where I worked as a Project Engineer. My main roles there included but not limited to site management, bid and cost preparation, developing and monitoring project schedules. I developed many skills during my time in San Francisco both professionally and personally including moving away from home and adapting to a new job in a new country. The skills I learnt on this co-op were hugely beneficial in finishing out my final year of college and even in my current role after college. 

I now work for a global project delivery company called PM Group as a part of their NEXT Graduate Programme. My role in PM Group is a full-time site based Construction Engineer on a pharmaceutical project. My role involves planning of works as part of the construction management team, logistics coordination, quality assurance and control, liaising with project stakeholders and so on. I am due to commence the Construction Institute of Building (CIOB) Chartership process with the support of PM Group and the CIOB accredited degree from UL. 

I cannot recommend UL and the Construction Management and Engineering course enough. The experience has really helped me in building a solid foundation for my future career. 


 

James Colgan

 When completing my CAO application, I had always considered studying at UL as it was close to home, being from Co. Clare. I chose UL’s Construction Management and Engineering Program after attending the UL Open Days and speaking with the Course Director, who, from one conversation, convinced me it was the right course for me because of all the different career paths and opportunities available, especially working abroad.

UL’s Construction Management and Engineering Program interested me as it allows you to study a wide range of modules from Building Surveying, Contract Law, Structural Mechanics and Design, and so much more for a well-rounded and diverse knowledge of all things construction related. This knowledge helped massively during my eight-month work placement with Modebest, a Reinforced-Concrete Frame and Groundworks subcontractor based in the London Metropolitan Area.

After graduating, I returned to work with Modebest on a 56-Story tower in Canary Wharf, London. I gained great knowledge and industry experience in small-site logistics, just-in-time deliveries, project planning and coordination from this project. In recent months I have started working on my Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) application to become a member of the CIOB, an organisation I have been a member of since studying at UL.

My time and experiences at UL have been essential in my professional and personal growth. I cannot recommend this course highly enough for anyone looking for a career within the Construction Industry. 

Image
James Colgan