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During this programme, you will:  

• Identify a problem significant to your industry or profession and propose an appropriate approach to solve the problem.  

• Develop the practical and academic skills to research the identified problem.  

• Gain the skills to formulate an effective solution to the problem.  

• Contribute to theory and practice in your field and to the development of professional practice. 

• Funding available through Generation Apprenticeship 

Key Information: 

• Complete part-time over four years  

• Blended delivery – online lectures and at least 1 compulsory on-campus day per semester. Students are required to attend five days in Year 1 and one day in Year 2, 3, and 4 

• Modules taught during autumn, spring and summer semesters  

• Complete a Qualifier module to identify research topic before starting DEng 

• Dedicated thesis supervisor and in-company apprenticeship mentor 

• Participate in a ‘Community of Practice’. Interact and engage in peer-to-peer learning activities around the academic content. 

• Submit dissertation at the end of the final semester and participate in the Viva Voce process to defend your work. 

You will learn through a blend of:  

• Lectures, workshops, and hands-on activities  

• Reflective practice and guided research  

• Regular feedback from faculty and peers  

Part-time considerations:  

• Designed for working professionals  

• Evening or recorded lectures  

• Timetable provided after registration 

Year 1  

Spring Semester  

• Engineering Doctorate Qualifier module (PP8001)* introduces students to the requirements of a Professional Doctorate. Participants will identify a problem that is significant to their industry or profession to propose an appropriate approach to solving this problem. This problem definition will form the basis of a submission to the Professional Doctorate in Engineering Academic Board.  

*You must pass this Qualifier Module to gain access to the Doctoral programme. 

Summer Semester  

During this semester, you’ll attend a residential week of face-to-face classes on campus at the end of May as part of the Generic and Transferable Skills Summer School. Following this, you’ll complete your summer modules online through our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), Brightspace. 

• introduces students to the theory and practice of networking. 

• covers a range of Digital based systems including data management, digital ethics, conferences, seminars and presentations. 

• allows students to appreciate the requirement for research integrity and the scope of research integrity. 

• examines the ethical complexities which arise in conducting research involving human participants. 

• helps researchers to successfully plan and manage their research process. 

• encourages writers to examine how they use writing to identify and develop their ideas in responding to the ideas of others. 

Year 2 

Autumn Semester 

• enables students to describe the context in which research takes place and understand the types of research associated with a professional doctorate. 

• first of ten modules that enables students to engage in independent but supervised research and work towards a summer report. 

Spring Semester 

• introduces the fundamentals of data collection and analysis strategies to support research methodologies. 

• enables students to demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the role of scientific method in research activities. 

• enables students to demonstrate how best to choose and refine their research approach to suit the organisation context. 

Summer Semester 

• second of ten modules that enables students to engage in independent but supervised research and work towards a summer report. 

• focuses on the Literature Review Chapter of the Thesis. Students are required to be on campus at the end of May each year to present their research updates. 

Year 3 

Autumn Semester 

• third of ten modules that enables students to engage in independent but supervised research and work towards a summer report. 

Spring Semester 

• enables students to Identify aspects of their work that can contribute to their area of research and develop a draft presentation of worthwhile findings. 

• fourth of ten modules that enables students to engage in independent but supervised research and work towards a summer report. 

Summer Semester  

• fifth of ten modules that enables students to engage in independent but supervised research and work towards a summer report. 

• focuses on the Methodology chapter and an update of the Literature Review chapter. Students are required to be on campus at the end of May each year to present their research updates. 

Year 4 

Autumn Semester 

• sixth of ten modules that enables students to engage in independent but supervised research and work towards a summer report. 

Spring Semester 

• enables students to present their research at reputable conferences or workshops relevant to their field. The experience offers peer review, exposure to diverse research perspectives, and engagement with academic, industry, and regulatory communities. 

• seventh of ten modules that enables students to engage in independent but supervised research and work towards a summer report. 

Summer Semester 

• eight of ten modules that enables students to engage in independent but supervised research and work towards a summer report. 

• focuses on showing students are following a suitable trajectory to complete their research. Students are required to be on campus at the end of May each year to present their research updates. 

Year 5 

Autumn Semester 

• supports students working towards their final Thesis Submission and Viva Voce. 

Spring Semester 

• supports students to complete their doctorate level dissertation. 

Summer Semester 

• Exam Board Graduation 

Books and journal articles needed for the course will be available online through the UL Glucksman Library.  

For more information on each module, you can search the faculty, school and module code on UL’s  

• Applicants should hold a bachelor’s degree ( Level 8,) with a 2.1 (second class honours, grade 1) in a relevant or appropriate subject or recognised prior learning (RPL) 

• Applicants must be living and working in Ireland and have an Irish contract of employment that meets or exceeds the duration of the apprenticeship. 

• You should have at least 5 years of relevant work experience. 

• Applicants must successfully complete the qualifier module (Professional Portfolio PP8001) prior to being offered a place on the programme. 

Sponsoring Company: 

• Company must complete an approval process with UL and SOLAS and commit to supporting the apprentice throughout the programme. 

• Must appoint an industry mentor within the company throughout the apprenticeship. 

Other Entry Considerations: 

We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet the standard entry requirements, as long as you can show that you have the knowledge, skills, and experience needed for the programme. 

At UL, we value all kinds of learning and support different ways to qualify through our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy. 

Checklist of documents: 

• *Academic transcripts and certificates
  • UL graduates only need to provide their student ID.
• Copy of your birth certificate or passport 
• English translation of your qualifications and transcripts
• Copy of your CV 

English Language: 

• English Language Competency certificate
• For details on accepted language requirements visit 

English Language Requirements 

Guidelines on Completing your Application   

• To make sure we can review your application quickly, please:
  • Upload all documents. Your application can’t be reviewed until we have all the documents on the checklist. 
  • Title the documents you are uploading. For example, "Personal Statement", "Undergraduate Transcript", "Postgraduate Transcript", "English Language Certificate" etc. 
• *If you are waiting to graduate, submit your application with the documents you have to date, you don’t need to have finished final exams before applying. 

Fees are as follows:

Qualifier Module €250

For successful Qualifier Module candidates who are eligible for the programme:

Student application fee €50

Annual fee* €1900

Please note that international study visas are only available to students studying full-time in Ireland. This programme does not qualify for a study visa. 

Annual fees are billed by semester. Once registered, students may be eligible to apply for a monthly payment plan.  

Further information on fees and payment of fees is available from the Student Fees Office website. All fee related queries should be directed to the Student Fees Office (Phone: +353 61 213 007 or email student.fees.office@ul.ie).  

 
Funding 

Candidates and Companies who satisfy the eligibility criteria under Generation Apprenticeship can qualify for up to 90% funding of fees, subject to eligibility and availability.   

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Companies can also apply for the  of €2000 per annum if they meet the eligibility requirements.   

Find further information on funding and scholarships. 

This programme can lead to promotion to senior level in their chosen area of expertise. 

Ruth Buckley, Programme graduate – Working in public sector cybersecurity 

"I would recommend the Professional Doctorate of Engineering in UL to anyone who is considering this step. I found the structured approach in the first two years extremely helpful and provided a comprehensive foundation in all research related subjects. Those of us on the program began to form a group of friends and peers which was a pleasant part of the journey for me. The formalised annual assessments by experts in both industry and academia encourage an ambitious but achievable consistent 'stretch'. The support of the UL DEng program office is very important and there was always someone to answer a query. The new UL Doctoral College offers conferences and other opportunities for showcasing your research at all stages.  I found my experience to be personally and professionally enriching, and it has opened up new horizons and experiences I would never have been able to access otherwise.  The professional DEng program allowed me to leverage the extensive experience I have from my career to make a formal contribution both to academic knowledge and organizational practices. Not bad for 4.5 years."  

Claire Monaghan, Programme Graduate – Med Tech Industry 

“Participating in the doctoral program profoundly elevated my research capabilities and deepened my respect for academic rigor. It encouraged me to pay meticulous attention to detail while also illuminating the reasons behind unsuccessful approaches—an insight frequently neglected in the fast-paced industrial landscape. Completing the DEng further refined my ability to address complex business challenges and foster innovative solutions. Additionally, this experience allowed me to cultivate meaningful relationships with faculty and fellow researchers, significantly enriching my professional network.” 

Still Curious?  

The team regularly host and take part in webinars to support future students. If you would like to learn more or ask questions at an online information session, click below.     

Online Information Sessions