| Code | CPCE |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 year |
| Teaching Mode | Part-Time |
| Qualifications | Cert |
| NFQ Level | Level 7 |
| NFQ Award Title | Minor |
| Fees | €3,000 (90%-100% Springboard+ Funding Available) See Fees and Costs for full details. |
| Closing Date | General Applications (Round One): 26 June 2026 Springboard+ Funded Applications: 16 July 2026 |
| Next Intake | September 2026 |
| Venue | UCC Campus |
| Start Date | September 2026 |
Course Outline
This course teaches the fundamentals of process and chemical engineering. You will be given an overview of key aspects of the discipline. It appeals to people from a wide range of backgrounds. This includes those who would like to obtain a formal qualification in chemical engineering, who want to use the course as a step towards a professional degree qualification, who are interested in gaining a formal chemical engineering qualification as part of their continuing professional development and graduates of other disciplines whose work brings them into the sphere of chemical engineering. There is strong support from local and national employers in sectors such as bio/pharmaceuticals, food, drink, water, energy and environmental and technical services.
You will be studying process and chemical engineering. This includes the fundamental principles of process engineering (fluid mechanics, heat transfer, mass transfer, thermodynamics) and also the applications of these principles (pumps and piping systems, flow measurement and sampling systems, heat exchanger design, energy conservation and integration, thermal process engineering, refrigeration, combustion, steam generation, combined heat and power plants, and a range of separation processes involving heat and mass transfer). The important area of powder technology (characterisation, storage, handling, dust control) is also covered, as is process instrumentation and control.
The Modules for the Diploma are as follows:
Year 1 (Cert)
- PE1811: Introduction to Chemical Processing Engineering
- PE1812: Material and Energy Balances
- PE1813: Fluid Mechanics and Particle Processing
- PE1814: Heat Transfer and Applied Thermodynamics
- PE1815: Mass Transfer and Separation Processes
- PE1816: Process Control and Equipment Integrity
Graduates of this programme may be able to progress to a further year of studies towards a Diploma award.
Course Queries
For Academic Queries and Course Content Queries please contact the Programme Coordinator Dr. Vivek Verma at processeng@ucc.ie.
For Online Application Support please click here.
Course Practicalities
- The delivery is on campus, with asynchronous remote following possible
- The course is divided in 2 semesters with 12 weeks of classes in each, followed by 3 weeks for examinations
- During those 12 weeks, 2 of the modules have classes once a week on Tuesdays from 6:15 to 9:15 pm
- One further module in each Semester is run as 2 workshops on 2 Saturdays (10am to 4pm)
- All classes are recorded and made available via the Canvas educational platform, both for whoever cannot attend in person, and also for supporting the studying.
- All modules are assessed via Continuous Assessment submissions (to be made online) and final invigilated examinations that take place on campus (one per week in the 3 weeks following the 12 week teaching period).
- There is a repeat assessment period in August for anyone that fails or cannot attend an examination on the December or April dates.
Assessment:
There is a one-and-a-half-hour end-of-course open book exam for each module. Assignments are also given for each module at approximately three week intervals. Apart from the Design Project module, where there is no exam. Each unit is marked on the following basis; Assignment: 30%; End-of-course exam: 70%. The pass standard for each module is 40%.
Why Choose This Course
- Process / Chemical Engineering is the foundation discipline of manufacturing sectors critical to Irish economic success, namely Pharmaceutical, Biopharmaceutical, Food and Drink industries.
- This is a programme that has been providing educational support to Irish industries since 2002 (with an evolving content of course), during which we have hosted over 500 professionals seeking to upskill or reskill towards engineering roles in these sectors. In the past 5 years we awarded this Certificate to 127 professionals
- Upskill: you have some (or many) years of experience but no level 7 Higher Education qualification, or you are a level 7 or 8 graduate of a non-engineering degree, requiring a foundation grounding in engineering tools, as you assume more engineering-type functions in the industry.
- Reskill: you are a professional with some (or many) years of experience in other industries or professions, and have just moved to one of the processing industries or are considering doing this soon, and desire to have a foundation grounding in the most relevant engineering tools for you new job
- This course will give you an understanding of the basic principles of process and chemical engineering and how they are applied in the process industries
Who teaches this course
This course has been developed by the Department of Process & Chemical Engineering. Lectures are provided by staff from the department, and by relevant industry personnel.
Requirements
- In order to be admitted to the programme, candidates will be required to have a Level 6 NQAI qualification or equivalent and relevant experience through working in the process and related industries or other relevant professional activity.
- There are 20 places on the programme per annum for candidates that are elligible to receive Springbord funding, plus up to 5 for others on a self-funding basis. Where the number of applicants exceeds the number of places available, entry will be on a competitive basis. Applicants will be selected for the programme on the basis of the following criteria (in order of importance): Professional experience of applicants and its relevance; ‘Reasons for entering programme’ as indicated by applicants on course application form – please consider providing clear statements of your motivation, expectations and professional objectives; Qualifications and their relevance.
- English Language Requirement: All applicants whose first language is not English must have attained IELTS Level 6 or the equivalent TOEFL score.
Fees and Costs
Direct Applications
There are a number of places available on this programme for those applying directly to UCC as fee-paying applicants.
The fee for this programme is €3,000.
- Applicants pay 50% of this fee on application.
- This fee is fully refundable if the programme does not run or you are not offered a place on the programme
- The remaining 50% programme fee is due by 31 Jan.
Springboard+ Funding
There are a limited number of places available for this programme funded by Springboard+.
- Jobseekers and returners may be eligible for a 100% fee subsidy. These applicants will be given priority.
- Those in employment may be eligible for a 90% fee subsidy.
- If awarded Springboard+ funding, these applicants will need to pay the remaining 10% fee on registration (non-refundable).
- If an applicant's organisation wishes to pay their fees in part or in full, the applicants must pay the 10% on registration and any arrange any reimbursement with their employer/organisation directly.
Sponsorship
If your fees are fully or partially covered by your organisation, this is called sponsorship. You will need to apply as a sponsored applicant.
Springboard+ funded applicants are not eligible to apply with sponsorship and must arrange any reimbursement directly with their organisation (see above).
How To Apply
Springboard+ Applicants
Those applying for Springboard+ funding may check their eligibility HERE.
If you wish to apply for Springboard+ funding for this course, you must do so via the Springboard+ website HERE.
You must choose one application route:
- Apply for Springboard+ funding, or
- Apply directly to the programme as a fee-paying applicant
Please note that applicants who have already applied via the direct (fee-paying) route are not eligible to subsequently apply for Springboard+ funding.
If your application for Springboard+ funding is not approved, you may have the option to apply as a fee-paying applicant, subject to availability of places.
Direct Applicants
To Apply for this course as a full-fee-paying student, or if you are sponsored by your organisation, please follow the steps below:
When you log into the Application Portal:
Click Apply Online
Select Start a new Adult & Continuing Education Application
During your online application you will be required to upload the following documents:
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Passport Photo
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Proof of Identity
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CV
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Transcript
You will also be asked to submit the following information:
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Motivation Statement
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Work Experience
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Academic/Professional training
Year 1 Modules
Year 2 Modules
Year 3 Modules
Year 4 Modules
For queries regarding course content or timetables please contact
Adult Continuing Education
Aosoideachas Leanúnach
Contact us
The Laurels, University College Cork, Western Road, Cork, T12 EH31