Postgraduate study in engineering

While a postgraduate qualification may not guarantee you an easy entry into an engineering career, statistics show that postgraduates have superior employment prospects.

Recent years have seen a growth in the number of engineering graduates who choose to pursue further study in the field, ranging from year-long postgraduate diplomas and master’s programmes to research based MPhils and PhDs. Conversion courses in engineering can also be taken, though they often require a primary degree from a relevant discipline. You can find funded master's and PhDs advertised in the national press and on institution websites. An up-to-date list of courses can be found on our course database at gradireland.com/careers-advice/postgraduate-study .

It’s common for engineering graduates to take postgraduate diplomas or master’s degrees in business, finance and project management to apply for business and engineering-related positions upon graduation.

Both the Republic and Northern Ireland have seen heavy investment in Research and Development (R&D) in recent years, with both governments investing in collaborations with academia and industry to boost growth. Institutions are increasingly collaborating with industry to provide courses that combine theory and study with practical experience.

The following is a list of departments and institutions currently offering postgraduate courses in engineering:

• Dundalk Institute of Technology, School of Engineering
• South East Technological University
• Technological University Dublin, College of Engineering and Built Environment
• Trinity College Dublin, School of Engineering
• University College Cork, College of Science, Engineering and Food Science
• University College Dublin, School of Engineering and Architecture
• University of Galway, College of Engineering and Informatics
• University of Limerick, Faculty of Science and Engineering
• University of Ulster, Faculty of Computing and Engineering
• Queen’s University Belfast, School of Electrical Engineering
• Queen’s University Belfast, School of Planning, Architecture and Civil Engineering

A comprehensive, searchable course database, supplied by Qualifax.ie, can be found here .

Your postgraduate study in Engineering

Postgraduate study in engineering can be challenging, very time consuming but ultimately extremely rewarding once you have a clear path in mind. Make sure you carefully weigh up all your options before making your decision.

Due to the highly technical level of knowledge required, employers in the engineering sector put a great deal of value on the right postgraduate qualification. What's important on a further study degree can also be what's important on an engineering project; such as learning new skills quickly, managing and coordinating a project and defining, investigating and solving complex problems.

Before you start any further study in the engineering sector, it may be beneficial to obtain some experience in a work setting, as you will gain more insight into what your chosen sector actually involves, and if you're good enough, your employer may see enough value in you obtaining further qualifications to sponsor your further study.

Choosing the right course and institution

Once you've found the area of study that's right for you, you'll need to choose the right institution. That could mean continuing at your undergraduate University, in a setting you're familiar with, or perhaps you would benefit from a fresh start in a fresh setting. Your original University could possibly have more to offer in terms of supports and funding though, so make sure you make an informed decision. A departure into the world of postgraduate study will help you expand your horizons and build a new network of contacts and access to specialised academic expertise. Whether you're determined to build a career in industry or would prefer to stay in academia, your prospects will be greatly enhanced if you develop a range of skills that will complement your growing academic knowledge. Develop a strong knowledge of the commercial side of the industry and research the major players and trends there. Make sure you make the most of any opportunities to attend professional development courses, conferences or outreach courses, these will help develop your core skills and transferable skills, in addition to providing you with fresh insights into the industry.