Engineering and manufacturing

Postgraduate study in engineering

Job prospects

Graduates in disciplines with a strong science and technology content tend to be better paid than graduates in other disciplines. This trend continues at higher and graduate diploma, masters degree and PhD levels. 

The options

Funded masters and PhDs are usually advertised on institution websites and often in the national press. There are a huge number of postgraduate courses to choose from and collaborations with industry are common, combining study and practical hands-on work experience. Many engineering graduates pursue postgraduate diplomas or masters in finance, business and project management, enabling them to apply for engineering and business related roles upon graduating. Some engineering graduates enter the teaching profession. 

Taught masters are typically one year in length (full-time) or two years part-time. A masters obtained by research can vary in length, but on average takes 18 months of full-time work. The PhD is obtained by undertaking extensive research, completion of a dissertation and usually an oral examination on the research matter. Typical duration is three years, but it may take up to four or even five years. 

Issues to consider

In May 2007, Engineers Ireland decided that the education standard for the grade of MIEI and the professional title of Chartered Engineer should be raised to master degree (as opposed to bachelors) in engineering, awarded on successful completion of a programme accredited by Engineers Ireland, with effect for programmes completed in 2013. 

Written by Ita McGuigan, a chemical engineer and Careers Adviser at Dundalk Institute of Technology.