Course Overview

The Master of Engineering (ME) at University of Galway is part of an integrated (Bachelors + Masters) 4+1 programme of study, meeting the European Framework Standards for engineering accreditation. Successfully completing this (level 9) ME course, as part of an accredited 4+1 structure, will allow you to achieve the educational requirements for Chartered Engineer (CEng) status upon graduation.

The ME programme on its own is a 60 ECTS one academic year course of study. Graduates with an honours degree in a cognate Engineering discipline may be eligible to take the ME. This will be of interest to graduates who wish to study more advanced topics in their core engineering discipline. Applicants wishing to use the ME programme as part of their CEng certification should be aware that professional accreditation is assessed by the Engineering Councils on the basis of the aggregate periods of study (Level 8 + Level 9), and not on the Masters year alone. Candidates need to satisfy themselves that their undergraduate (Level 8) degree meets the relevant standards.

The ME in Electronic & Computer Engineering is a nine-month, full-time Masters programme designed as a follow-on to a Level 8 (Honours) degree in Electronic & Computer Engineering or equivalent. It allows graduates to develop advanced, industry-relevant skills in a range of topics in Electronic & Computer Engineering, providing them with a Level 9 qualification that satisfies Engineers Ireland’s criteria for Chartered status.

Scholarships available
Find out about our Postgraduate Scholarships here.

Applications and Selections

Applications are made online via the University of Galway Postgraduate Applications System

Who Teaches this Course

The majority of lecturers on this programme are from the core Electrical and Electronic Engineering discipline. Additional lecturing support will be provided by expert practitioners from industry and by staff from the discipline of Information Technology. 

researcher
Prof Gearóid Ó Laighin
BE, MEng, PhD
Established Professor of Electronic Engineering
Engineering Building
NUI Galway
University Road
Galway
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researcher
Dr. Edward Jones
B.E., PH.D.
PERSONAL PROFESSOR
Electrical & Electronic Eng
Room 3044
Engineering Building
NUI Galway
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researcher
Dr. Peter Corcoran
B.A., B.A.I., Ph.D.
Professor
Electrical & Electronic Eng
Room 3041
Engineering Building
NUI Galway
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researcher
Prof John Breslin
Research Leader
Unit for Social Semantics
Data Science Institute
IDA Business Park
NUI Galway
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Requirements and Assessment

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

Entry to the programme is open to individuals who have Second Class Honours in a Level 8 (or equivalent) degree in a related discipline from a recognised university or third-level college. Factors taken into account in determining admission will include the specific content of the undergraduate degree, the applicant’s performance and the availability of places.

Additional Requirements

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Duration

9 months, full-time

Next start date

September 2024

A Level Grades ()

Average intake

20

QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes

Closing Date

Please view the offer rounds website.

NFQ level

9

Mode of study

ECTS weighting

60

Award

CAO

Course code

MENG-MECE

Course Outline

Students can choose from a number of advanced technology modules such as: signal and image processing, embedded systems, communications technologies, sensor systems, the Internet of Things, advanced system-on-chip design and artificial intelligence.

A range of Engineering Transferable Skills modules enable students to develop skills in business, innovation, regulatory and research methods, while also providing options in advanced mathematical techniques and information technology. These modules will prepare students for lifelong learning and development in a professional engineering career, either in industry or in a research environment. 

The programme will run over nine months from September–May, aligned with the academic year. It will consist of 60 ECTS divided into advanced Electronic & Computer technology modules, engineering transferable skills modules and a 20 ECTS individual project defined in one of the following research areas: signal and image processing, embedded systems, communications systems, consumer electronics, and biomedical electronics. 

Advanced Technology Modules provide students with a range of electronic & computing technology topics designed to complement proposed research project areas such as: signal and image processing, embedded systems, sensor systems for biomedical applications, communications systems, automotive applications, the Internet of Things, and advanced system-on-chip technologies.

A range of Engineering Transferable Skills modules enable students to develop skills in business, innovation, regulatory and research methods, while also providing options in advanced mathematical techniques and information technology as necessary. These modules will prepare students for lifelong learning and development in a professional engineering career, either in industry or in a research environment. 

The Electronic & Computer Engineering Project combines students’ technical experience in advanced electronic & computer engineering with professional skills of project management, report writing and presentation skills, where students will work to design and implement a system using advanced technologies and techniques. All projects will include components of design, modelling, analysis, prototyping and testing, building on current state-of-art technologies as identified in commercial and academic literature. In addition to technical development towards a demonstrator system, project deliverables will include an oral presentation, submission of a research abstract and presentation of a research poster at University of Galway’s Research Day and a professionally written technical report. Efforts will be made to identify an industrial partner for each project.

Curriculum Information

Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases).
Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Glossary of Terms

Credits
You must earn a defined number of credits (aka ECTS) to complete each year of your course. You do this by taking all of its required modules as well as the correct number of optional modules to obtain that year's total number of credits.
Module
An examinable portion of a subject or course, for which you attend lectures and/or tutorials and carry out assignments. E.g. Algebra and Calculus could be modules within the subject Mathematics. Each module has a unique module code eg. MA140.
Subject
Some courses allow you to choose subjects, where related modules are grouped together. Subjects have their own required number of credits, so you must take all that subject's required modules and may also need to obtain the remainder of the subject's total credits by choosing from its available optional modules.
Optional
A module you may choose to study.
Required
A module that you must study if you choose this course (or subject).
Required Core Subject
A subject you must study because it's integral to that course.
Semester
Most courses have 2 semesters (aka terms) per year, so a three-year course will have six semesters in total. For clarity, this page will refer to the first semester of year 2 as 'Semester 3'.

Year 1 (60 Credits)

Optional EE5115: Advanced Electronic & Computer Engineering Project: EEE topic - 20 Credits - Semester 1
Optional CT5110: Advanced Electronic & Computer Engineering Project: CSIT topic - 20 Credits - Semester 1
Optional EE502: Bioinstrumentation Design - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional EE5126: UX Design for Wearable Electronics - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional EE5123: RF Technologies for Medical Devices - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional CT421: Artificial Intelligence - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional EE451: System on Chip Design I - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional EE445: Digital Signal Processing - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional IE446: Project Management - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional ME432: Technology Innovation & Entrepreneurship - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional ME521: Research Methods for Engineers - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional IE450: Lean Systems - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional AY872: Financial Management I - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional CT4101: Machine Learning - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional EE4101: Mobile Networks: Architecture and Services - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional EE5116: Mobile Device Technologies - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional EE452: System on Chip Design II - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional BSS2103: Introduction to Sustainability 1 - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional ME4105: Safety Engineering - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional EE551: Embedded Image Processing - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional EE5124: Bioinstrumentation Design 2 - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional CT437: Computer Security and Forensic Computing - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional EE5127: Internet of Things Systems Design - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional EE5104: Embedded Machine Vision - 5 Credits - Semester 2

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

Graduates of this programme will be well qualified to pursue careers in industry and academic research, and will be equally comfortable working in the software and hardware industries. Numerous opportunities exist for graduates of this programme in industries ranging from large multi-nationals, indigenous companies, state bodies and small businesses. Graduates may also wish to join or form their own start-up business, as many of our graduates have done so successfully in the past. 

 

Who’s Suited to This Course

Learning Outcomes

Transferable Skills Employers Value

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€6,390 p.a. (including levy) 2024/25

Fees: Tuition

€6,250 p.a. 2024/25

Fees: Student levy

€140 p.a. 2024/25

Fees: Non EU

€27,000 p.a. (€27,140 including levy) 2024/25


Postgraduate students in receipt of a SUSI grant—please note an F4 grant is where SUSI will pay €4,000 towards your tuition (2024/25).  You will be liable for the remainder of the total fee.  A P1 grant is where SUSI will pay tuition up to a maximum of €6,270. SUSI will not cover the student levy of €140.

Postgraduate fee breakdown = Tuition (EU or NON EU) + Student levy as outlined above.

Note to non-EU students: learn about the 24-month Stayback Visa here

Find out More

Dr. Martin Glavin
T: +353 91 492 035
E: martin.glavin@universityofgalway.ie


What Our Students Say

Anish

Anish Pawar |   Graduate

This course helped me pursue my passion for the field of Electronics Engineering. Most of the modules in the course were optional so I had the freedom to take all the modules that I liked. Bioinstrumentation Design gave me an idea of how to design a simple step detection device from scratch and taught me the basics of python programming. UX Design for wearable Electronics gave me an idea for developing an application. Other modules such as Project Management & Research Methods for Engineers helped me to get an entire overview of how a project works. Computer Security & Forensic Computing gave me a detailed idea about the security aspect of data protection and the ethical considerations and the GDPR overview. Smart Devices for Connected Health gave me an idea about cloud computing and Machine Learning algorithms. The most important was the project which help me a lot in all aspects from designing a device to writing a technical report. The assignments related to the modules were interactive and the coordinators were very helpful regardless of the time of the day. Completing the assignment was really done in a fun and practical-oriented way which helped me in a lot of ways.