Engineering - Mechanical Engineering - Manufacturing Process & Automation Systems

Course Outline

Our Mechanical Engineering (Manufacturing, Process & Automation Systems) programme is offered by UCC in response to sustained international demand for highly skilled graduates in mechanical engineering for manufacturing and process engineering industries. On completion of the course, you will be able to:



- show a thorough understanding of the principles and theoretical bases of modern manufacturing techniques, automation, and production processes;



- identify appropriate manufacturing systems for different production requirements and analyse their performance;



- apply appropriate technology, quality tools and manufacturing methodology to design, re-design, and continuously improve the manufacturing operations of engineering companies;



- plan, research, execute and oversee experiments and research projects, critically analyse and interpret data, and effectively disseminate results;



- work effectively as a member of a multidisciplinary team, be self-motivated, able to work independently, and demonstrate leadership.

Students take 90 credits as follows:



Part I: 20 credits of core modules and 40 credits of elective modules.*

Part II: Dissertation in Mechanical Engineering, to the value of 30 credits, completed over the summer months.



*Note Modules in Part I are offered subject to availability. Alternative modules may be offered. The choice of modules is subject to the approval of the Programme Coordinator.



PART I

Core Modules

ME6019 Preliminary Research Project (10 credits)

MG6021 Operations Management (5 credits)

MG6315 Project Management (5 credits)



Elective Modules

Students must select a total of 40 credits of elective modules from Group A and Group B, with not less than 25 credits from Group A, the balance of credits from Group B, and with no more than 30 credits of elective modules selected in any single Semester.



Group A (all 5 credits)

ME6002 CAD/CAM

ME6006 Non-Destructive Testing

ME6007 Mechanical Systems

ME6008 Robotics

ME6009 Industrial Automation and Control

ME6012 Advanced Robotics*

CE6024 Finite Element Analysis

EE4012 Biomedical Design

CS6506 Programming in Python

CS6507 Programming in Python with Data Science Applications*

NE6015 Data Analytics for Engineering



Group B (all 5 credits)

PE6009 Pharmaceutical Engineering

PE6002 Optimisation and Continuous Process Improvement

PE6003 Process Validation and Quality

PE6007 Mechanical Design of Process Equipment

CE3010 Energy in Buildings

CE4016 Energy Systems in Buildings

E6046 Introduction to Micro Electromechanical Systems (MEMS)



PART II

ME6020 Dissertation in Mechanical Engineering (30 credits)

Notes*



- Students wishing to take CS6507 (Programming in Python with Data Science Applications) must also take CS6506 (Programming in Python).

- Students wishing to take ME6012 (Advanced Robotics) must also take ME6008 (Robotics).

Candidates must have a minimum Second Class Honours Grade II in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) in mechanical engineering or a closely related engineering discipline that should have covered mechanical engineering fundamentals such as mechanics, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and materials.



For Applicants with Qualifications Completed Outside of Ireland

Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.



International/Non-EU Applicants

For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.



- In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.



- Note that not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above. For more information contact the International Office.



English Language Requirements

Applicants who are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements. Visit our PG English Language Requirements page for more information.

Closing Date: Rolling deadline. Open until all places have been filled. Early application is advised.



Non-EU Closing Date: Open until all places have been filled or no later than 15 June. Early application is advised.

Individual modules have different methods of assessment but this typically consists of a single end-of-semester examination in December or April/May, plus continuous assessment throughout the relevant semester. This continuous assessment may consist of a combination of in-class tests, formal laboratories or practicals, design exercises, project work, written reports and presentations. Any repeat examinations are held in August.


Students who pass but fail to achieve an average mark of at least 50% across the taught modules excluding the Preliminary Research Project (ME6019) or do not achieve a mark of at least 50% in the Preliminary Research Project (ME6019) will be eligible for the award of a Postgraduate Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (Manufacturing, Process and Automation Systems). Candidates passing Part I of the programme who do not wish to proceed to Part II may opt to be conferred with a Postgraduate Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (Manufacturing, Process and Automation Systems).

1 year full-time.

Start Date: 8th September 2025.

Skills and Careers Information

In response to the increasing demand for highly skilled graduates in the field of mechanical engineering applied to the manufacturing and pharma-chem industries, this course will produce mechanical engineering postgraduates who are proficient in the development and realisation of modern manufacturing, process and automation systems.