Keith Sunderland
Registrar, Engineers Ireland
Explore the many ways to pursue a career in engineering, whether it’s an apprenticeship, training or a university course.
Whether you’re considering your college options or looking at a career change, engineering offers an exciting and impactful career.
University route
A wide range of third-level institutions offer engineering qualifications accredited by Engineers Ireland, including all universities in Ireland. Most of the universities offer programmes with a common first year as well as specialist engineering courses. Students may be awarded a Bachelor of Engineering degree, or a similar qualification, and may progress on to specialise further with a Master’s degree. Graduates of engineering degrees also frequently pursue non-engineering disciplines, including business and science programmes, where they often excel due to the strong quantitative and problem-solving skills developed through their engineering education.
Apprenticeship: earn and learn
An apprenticeship is a programme that combines learning in the workplace with learning in an educational institution or training centre. Academic learning takes place for the full duration of the apprenticeship, usually in blocks on campus, combined with academic modules delivered while the learner is gaining hands-on training in the workplace. Apprenticeships are also paid employment, allowing the apprentice to ‘earn and learn.’
If you intend to study engineering,
prioritise a route into an Engineers
Ireland-accredited programme.
QQI-FET pathway
Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) Further Education and Training (FET) is a pathway for students to enter accredited degree programmes. Students with the relevant and appropriate QQI-FET Level 5/6 major awards and components, with a minimum achievement in the different programme components, may be admitted on a competitive basis to Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). To apply to a HEI via the QQI-FET entry pathway, you must apply to the Central Applications Office (CAO).
Importance of accredited programmes
If you intend to study engineering, prioritise a route into an Engineers Ireland-accredited programme.Engineers Ireland accreditation is an independent brand of quality and involves detailed reviews of engineering programmes by educational and industry peers. Through alignment with the Washington, Sydney, Dublin, and Seoul Accords, engineering graduates with technician, technologist and bachelor’s qualifications from Engineers Ireland-accredited programmes can work in countries across the world.
