Course Summary
This programme is part of a suite of programmes developed with Industry to support the transition to Industry 4.0. It is specifically designed for engineers working in the manufacturing industry who wish to upskill in the field of Automation and Digital Manufacturing.
Structure of the programme
In semester 1, students take on three taught modules concentrating on:
Research Methods where they will conduct a literature review and develop a project plan for their Research Project by the end of the semester,
Lean Automation where they will analyse and optimise flow and variation in the manufacturing process they are planning to automate/digitalise.
Data Driven Decision-Making that will work in parallel with Lean Automation to identify the key data that needs to be captured from the manufacturing process and determine how these data should be utilised to support decision-making.
In Semester 2, students take on a new taught module and continue with two of the first semester modules, concentrating on:
Lean automation is integrated with the Research Project to ensure that the automated process is optimised from a Lean and Six Sigma point of view.
Data Driven Decision-Making is integrated with the Research Project to investigate the data analytics side of the Research Project.
System Integration supports the Research Project in the design of the data architecture of the process and the selection of hardware and software.
In Semester 3 and 4 The Research Project continues under the guidance of the individual supervisor.
College Link
Career Sectors
This course prepares you for working in the Career Sectors below. Follow the links to get a fuller understanding of the sectors you are preparing for.
Entry Requirements
Candidates must hold Level 8 Bachelor (Hons) degree or Higher Diploma in Automation & Digital Manufacturing or a B.Eng. (Hons) in Mechatronics or cognate discipline with a minimum grade classification of H2.2 or equivalent. As the research is industry based, applicants must either have the support of their employer to conduct research or have an agreement with a company to use their facilities for the purpose of their research.
Recognition of Prior Learning: Yes.
Application Details
Flexible learning courses are popular, and they fill on a first come, first served basis. There are two major intake periods throughout the academic year, September and January.
For January start courses, applications typically open in October, and for September start courses, applications typically open in February. Closing dates for applications are listed on the individual course webpage.
Start Date: September 2026.
Fees
Total Fees: €6300
The Student
Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.
Investigative
The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.
Career Progression
Duration
Study Hours
In semesters 1 and 2, students attend 4 hours of online synchronous workshops per week and engage in 6 hours of asynchronous material per week. The Research Project is fully integrated in the taught modules in semesters 1 and 2 and continues as a stand-alone module in semesters 3 and 4 under the guidance of an individual supervisor.
On-Campus Attendance: No attendance required.