UCD vs TRINITY engineering, advice please!

nandoslover

Hi,

So I would like to study engineering but am just stuck between trinity or UCD. I've narrowed it down to these two because I prefer the more academic side compared to ITs and the course contents.

With UCD, the course, options and academic structure sounds good. But Trinitys got the reputation and is more accessible to me. Any advice on this matter would be appreciated!

matthew1998

I haven't attended either facilities. But both have pros and cons. My friend is always telling me UCD's lab equipment is better. However I hear TCD has a better international reputation. Where do you want to spend 4/5 years of your life. What impression did you get from the colleges on the open day?

Do you know what type of engineering do you plan to specialize in? Different colleges are better in certain areas than others.
If Trinity is more accessible then that's a plus, But you'll have to go around shouting "Trinners is for winners"

Like I said I haven't been to either...so just my two cents! Choice is yours buddy

domrush

nandoslover wrote: »

Hi,

So I would like to study engineering but am just stuck between trinity or UCD. I've narrowed it down to these two because I prefer the more academic side compared to ITs and the course contents.

With UCD, the course, options and academic structure sounds good. But Trinitys got the reputation and is more accessible to me. Any advice on this matter would be appreciated!

UCD Engineering has an excellent reputation both nationally and internationally. I wouldn't worry about reputation as there is not a huge amount of difference between the two.

Having graduated from UCD Civil Dept I found it to be a great experience. Class numbers are small in the civil side so there is a lot of interaction between faculty and students.

Have you any idea what type of engineering you are interested in?

nandoslover

domrush wrote: »

UCD Engineering has an excellent reputation both nationally and internationally. I wouldn't worry about reputation as there is not a huge amount of difference between the two.

Having graduated from UCD Civil Dept I found it to be a great experience. Class numbers are small in the civil side so there is a lot of interaction between faculty and students.

Have you any idea what type of engineering you are interested in?

Yes, I think reputation is a tough one to base it on as although TCD has a great general reputation, it seems to me that UCD's science/engineering/business is quite advanced.

I'm looking into biomedical as I like biology too. But I think electrical has a lot of scope. Not too sure yet but this may change!

Do you think UCD was good for you with regards to studying abroad, internships, work experience, jobs etc.?

Thank you so much!

domrush

nandoslover wrote: »

Yes, I think reputation is a tough one to base it on as although TCD has a great general reputation, it seems to me that UCD's science/engineering/business is quite advanced.

I'm looking into biomedical as I like biology too. But I think electrical has a lot of scope. Not too sure yet but this may change!

Do you think UCD was good for you with regards to studying abroad, internships, work experience, jobs etc.?

Thank you so much!

Don't worry about it too much. You'll do two years of undenominated engineering before choosing a speciality (as far as I know TCD follows the same format). UCD have a great selection of modules for engineering students to choose from so you'll get a taste of everything in your first year and then you can choose a bit more yourself in second year before specialising. There is also a number of module options called 'electives' which are basically a chance for you to do a module in any random subject in UCD (ie not related to engineering).

Yes, UCD will go to extreme lengths to find you placement, noone in my class failed to find work experience in college. Most of these are paid, UCD contacts companies and you then interview for positions.

It depends on which speciality when ranking colleges. For example DIT's engineering department would be highly regarded in the field of structural/civil. I'm not too sure on what TCD exactly specialises in but I'm sure they lead the field in several areas. UCD's electrical engineering has an excellent reputation and I know several people who've done extremely well out of it. I can't speak for the biomedical department.

Studying abroad is a great option in UCD and I know several people who did years in Europe and the USA. These years tend to not count towards your degree grade so you need to work hard in other years to make up for this.

Get a 2.1 in any form of engineering from UCD and you will walk into a job in all honesty (unless the industry in question is in extreme downturn).

Any other questions let me know, good luck!

nandoslover

domrush wrote: »

Don't worry about it too much. You'll do two years of undenominated engineering before choosing a speciality (as far as I know TCD follows the same format). UCD have a great selection of modules for engineering students to choose from so you'll get a taste of everything in your first year and then you can choose a bit more yourself in second year before specialising. There is also a number of module options called 'electives' which are basically a chance for you to do a module in any random subject in UCD (ie not related to engineering).

Yes, UCD will go to extreme lengths to find you placement, noone in my class failed to find work experience in college. Most of these are paid, UCD contacts companies and you then interview for positions.

It depends on which speciality when ranking colleges. For example DIT's engineering department would be highly regarded in the field of structural/civil. I'm not too sure on what TCD exactly specialises in but I'm sure they lead the field in several areas. UCD's electrical engineering has an excellent reputation and I know several people who've done extremely well out of it. I can't speak for the biomedical department.

Studying abroad is a great option in UCD and I know several people who did years in Europe and the USA. These years tend to not count towards your degree grade so you need to work hard in other years to make up for this.

Get a 2.1 in any form of engineering from UCD and you will walk into a job in all honesty (unless the industry in question is in extreme downturn).

Any other questions let me know, good luck!

Thank you! About the electives, what kind of things can you choose? And would you recommend choosing an elective from engineering instead of other subjects?

I know I have a while to decide, but I'm not too sure right now if I want to do the masters in UCD, might apply to go abroad for a masters. So do people doing the BEng degree also have an option to do placements?

domrush

nandoslover wrote: »

Thank you! About the electives, what kind of things can you choose? And would you recommend choosing an elective from engineering instead of other subjects?

I know I have a while to decide, but I'm not too sure right now if I want to do the masters in UCD, might apply to go abroad for a masters. So do people doing the BEng degree also have an option to do placements?

Basically you'll have a certain number of 'Core' Engineering subjects you have to do. These are basically engineering fundamentals such as maths, physics etc etc. Then you choose 'Options' such as electrical, mechanical subjects. Electives can be anything you like, I did ones in IT, economics and history just because I found those subjects interesting.

With regards to going abroad for a masters, unless you have a fluency in a foreign language this might prove difficult for locations apart from the UK. To become a Chartered Engineer these days requires an ME degree. The list of approved degrees varies from profession to profession but it would be quite difficult to complete a masters in engineering in a foreign language I would be honest. I don't believe you could complete a masters in the USA and be eligible for Irish/British Chartership but I could be wrong on the matter.

BEng students do have an option to do work placements.

nandoslover

domrush wrote: »

Basically you'll have a certain number of 'Core' Engineering subjects you have to do. These are basically engineering fundamentals such as maths, physics etc etc. Then you choose 'Options' such as electrical, mechanical subjects. Electives can be anything you like, I did ones in IT, economics and history just because I found those subjects interesting.

With regards to going abroad for a masters, unless you have a fluency in a foreign language this might prove difficult for locations apart from the UK. To become a Chartered Engineer these days requires an ME degree. The list of approved degrees varies from profession to profession but it would be quite difficult to complete a masters in engineering in a foreign language I would be honest. I don't believe you could complete a masters in the USA and be eligible for Irish/British Chartership but I could be wrong on the matter.

BEng students do have an option to do work placements.

Got it, and yeah I do plan to do a masters maybe in the UK/USA/Australia/Canada, mainly English speaking places, but I have to look into that!

Would you have any tips for starting first year? Which are the hardest modules?

And do you mind if I ask which branch you chose and how did you choose? I'm still a bit confused on which one to pick!

Thanks