Engineering (BE (Hons)) at University College Cork

Society needs engineers and engineering to maintain and develop critical infrastructure. Engineers' ability to convert technological advances into useful systems and devices, for the benefit of society, has impacted hugely on improving the levels of comfort, quality of life and life expectancy in modern society.

The first year of the BE is a broad education in engineering fundamentals. At the end of the first year you can choose from Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering; Electrical and Electronic Engineering; Energy Engineering or Process and Chemical Engineering. 

The introduction of the ME (Master in Engineering) programme will allow students to choose at the end of their third year of study to carry on the BE (Hons) with one further year of study or to transfer to the ME with two further years of study.

UCC is in the top 2% of Universities worldwide and provides a world-class engineering education.  We have strong relationships with major employers and offer our students the opportunity of placement, including our ME programme which has an 8-month placement.  Our Engineering programmes are variously accredited by Engineers Ireland and IChemE.   

Engineers play a lead role in seeking to resolve complex issues through technical and non-technical innovations. Engineers are at the forefront in the provision of basic necessities such as food, water and energy, in the design of infrastructure, in health, transportation and communications and in the face of the challenge of climate change. The challenges that engineers meet revolve around creating a sustainable society whereby humans can flourish within natural resource limits. 

Skills and Careers Information

Depending on which discipline a student takes, careers are available in a variety of sectors including but not limited to:

• PharmaChem (Bio / Pharmaceuticals, Chemicals) 
• Energy
• Environmental
• Water
• Renewables & Fossil Fuels
• Biotechnology
• Healthcare & Biomedical
• Electronics & Computers
• Waste Management
• Consultancy (Design, Environmental, General)
• Public Sector
• Construction