Information regarding Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Education in Ireland

The republic of Ireland has a population of 5 million.  It is a member of the EU and its currency is the Euro. 

The state funds all primary schools with sufficient pupils and which comply with the state curriculum and regulations.  Most are run by churches. Children attend primary school for 8 years up to the age of 12.  10% of primary students learn through the medium of the Irish language. A few schools charge fees.

Most secondary schools are run by religious orders with approximately a third of secondary schools being state run. All schools are stated funded albeit that some also charge fees. Most students spend 6 years in secondary school. This includes a voluntary “transition year” at age 16, which involves mostly non-academic activities. 

Students typically study 7 subjects in their final two years in school including: Mathematics, English, Irish and a European language.  Other subjects include chemistry, biology, physics, history, geography, business studies and art. All students undertake a state examination “The Leaving Certificate” when they finish school.  They are awarded “points” based on the results for 6 subjects. Places in university are awarded through a national auction-type system depending on these points.

Four universities have degrees in chemical and biochemical engineering:

All these universities are state funded, albeit that students pay annual fees of €3,000.  Grants are available for students of limited means.  University College Dublin and University College Cork offer 5-year integrated masters degrees.  These are accredited at M-level by the IChemE.  Munster Technological University, Cork offer a 4-year honours bachelor’s degree which is also accredited at M-level by the IChemE. The University of Limerick have a 4-year honours bachelor’s degree. Typically, 25 to 50 students graduate each year from each of the universities.

Universities operate two semesters each year. Courses are given in modules, totalling 60 ECTS credits per year. 

Ireland is one of the world’s major producers of pharmaceuticals and biopharmaceuticals.  Graduates also work in engineering design companies, food, electronics, oil, gas, cement and other industries.

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