Engineering - Civil Engineering

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 Civil Engineering at University of Galway is a 60 ECTS full-time taught Masters programme, starting in September and running until early June of the following year. The programme sits at Level 9 in the Irish qualifications system and has been designed to meet the educational requirements necessary for progression to Chartered Engineer status with Engineers Ireland. An application to Engineers Ireland for accreditation is currently being assessed (May 2015). University of Galway has a long tradition of producing high quality graduates from its accredited Level 8 Bachelor degree (BE) in Civil Engineering. This new programme builds on this experience, educating Civil Engineers to even higher standards and accelerating them to positions of leadership in industry.



Accreditation and Chartered Status

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. Successful completion of this ME course, as part of an accredited 4+1 structure, will allow you to achieve the educational requirements for Chartered Engineer (CEng MIEI) status. Applicants wishing to use the ME programme as part of their CEng certification (who are not BE graduates from University of Galway 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. Therefore candidates need to satisfy themselves that their undergraduate (Level 8) degree meets the relevant standards.

Course Outline

The ME in Civil Engineering, which is a broad design-focussed programme, has three primary elements: (i) advanced core modules in Civil Engineering, (ii) modules on transferrable skills/professional development and (iii) an individual capstone research project. The taught modules amount to 40 ECTS and these will be examined at the end of semester examinations in December and April/May and/or through continuous assessment assignments. The 20 ECTS individual project will run throughout the year with a submission date at the end of May. Projects will be available across all branches of Civil Engineering and each student will work with an individual supervisor. Equally, a student is welcome to propose a project of his/her own.



Core Civil Engineering 5 ECTS modules will include:

• Advanced Structures

• Design of Sustainable Environmental Systems

• Transportation Systems and Infrastructure

• Offshore and Coastal Engineering

• Energy in Buildings

• Computational Methods in Civil Engineering

• Hydrology and Water Resources Engineering

• Hydrological Modelling

• The Built Environment



Students will also carry out an Integrated Design Project (an obligatory core module), drawing on knowledge across the discipline, and this will reflect the strong design ethos of the programme.



There is an extensive list of transferrable/professional skills available.



Curriculum Information

Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases).

Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.



Please see Course Web Page above for module details.

Entry to the programme is open to individuals who have Second Class Honours in a Level 8 engineering degree in a related discipline from a recognised university or third level college.

Applications must be completed online at: https://nuigalway.elluciancrmrecruit.com/Apply/Account/Login.



An application requires a registration fee of €35. You will be asked to upload proof of identification, academic transcripts, a personal statement, an academic reference and documentation to fulfil the English requirement (where English is not your first language).

9 months, full-time.

Next start date: September 2025

Career Opportunities

This degree programme is ideally suited to the civil engineer with an honours (Level 8) undergraduate degree who wishes to become more competent in advanced civil engineering topics.



From 2013, the ME degree is required to satisfy the educational requirements for progression to Chartered Engineer status. Graduates of the programme will be capable of working in any branch of civil engineering, including consultancy and contracting.