Internships
Professional Work Experience (PWE) for UCD College of Engineering & Architecture students
Internships for Master of Engineering (ME) students
UCD has pioneered five-year engineering education combining the strengths of the undergraduate engineering programme with a range of Masters programmes (Master of Engineering – ME) specialising in particular fields of engineering.
These ME degrees incorporate a Professional Work Experience (PWE) Internship module, designed to integrate students’ academic and career interests with practical work experience for a period of 6-8 months. A unique feature of this programme is that these students have completed more than three and a half years of engineering studies and are educated to degree level.
If you're interested in facilitating a UCD Engineering student as an intern, please, fill out this form and send it to (opens in a new window)eainternships@ucd.ie.
UCD Engineering PWE Courses
The following ME programmes incorporate 6-8 month internships from January & August. Please click on the course of interest for more information.
- Biosystems & Food Engineering
- Biomedical Engineering
- Civil Structural & Environmental Engineering
- Chemical & Bioprocess Engineering
- Electrical Power Engineering
- Electronic & Computer Engineering
- Energy Systems
- Mechanical Engineering
- Materials Science & Engineering
- (opens in a new window)Structural Engineering with Architecture
Students of the following programmes are available for internship from June to December :
If you have any specific queries in relation to ME Internships please contact our internship managers Eibhlin Loughman or Fionnuala McGowan by email: (opens in a new window)eainternships@ucd.ie or call +353-1-716-1870
Internships for BSc Landscape Architecture students
The BSc Landscape Architecture incorporate a Professional Work Experience (PWE) Internship module, designed to integrate students’ academic and career interests with practical work experience for a period of 6-8 months. Landscape Architecture students are available for placement from Jan/Feb of Year 3, for 6-8 months.
If you're interested in facilitating a UCD Landscape Architecture student as an intern, please, fill out this form and send it to (opens in a new window)eainternships@ucd.ie.
Employer Benefits
Becoming involved with the UCD Engineering & Architecture PWE Internships is a fantastic opportunity for a number of reasons:
Level:
Students will have completed either two and a half years of Landscape Architecture studies prior to commencing their internship or more than three and a half years of engineering studies and are educated to degree level.
Duration:
Students are available year round, in January and June, for a minimum of six months. This ensures that students are able to contribute to the company and can carry out meaningful work.
Relationships:
By facilitating a PWE Internship student, your company will develop new links with University College Dublin.
Cost-Effective:
The PWE Internship could provide your company with a simple, cost-effective way to meet short-term recruitment and project needs by providing you with an extra resource.
Research:
Many PWE Internships lead to bespoke masters research projects.
Graduates:
Internships provide companies with the opportunity to develop a pipeline of talented, trained future employees in a low-risk way.
The Recruitment Process
April-August - Initial Contact
Companies will be contacted by the UCD Engineering Internship Manager with a view to arranging internships for the following year.
September - Student Preparation
Students are briefed and prepared for the internship applications process and interviews.
Early October - Application procedure begins
Students submit their CV
Mid-October - Application Shortlisting
Companies shortlist applications they have received and arrange to interview students.
Late October - Interviews
Where possible all interviews should be completed by mid November as students complete Semester 1 in late November.
November/December - Contracts Finalised
All contracts and agreements will be completed before students break for Christmas exams at the end of November.
January/February - Internships Begin
Exception ME Engineering with Business internships begin in June.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the company’s role in the PWE Internship?
The role of the company is to provide the student with a meaningful internship, which complements their education and broadens their skillset. Your expectations of the student should not differ from that of any other employee and we ask that you provide a safe, relevant and challenging work environment.
Does the company have to enter into an agreement with the University?
Yes, all internships come under a standard UCD contract known as an Internship Agreement that will be signed by the University and the internship provider. This agreement will be sent to you once you have appointed an intern and must be returned prior to the intern commencing the internship.
What is the typical remuneration involved?
We recommend that students are paid at least minimum wage. We have found that the level of pay can impact an employer’s degree of success in recruiting the best candidate.
Are there any restrictions hiring international students?
No, there are no work permits required for international students (non EU/EEA citizens) who wish to undertake an internship in Ireland. Students enrolled on degree programmes are allowed to undertake an internship where this forms part of their course. Further information can be found at(opens in a new window)www.inis.gov.ie/en/JELR/BookletA4.pdf/files/BookletA4.pdf
Are there any insurance requirements?
The host company will be expected to have in place appropriate insurance cover in relation to their use of student interns. UCD Engineering students on PWE internships will be covered by the University’s Public Liability Policy, details of which will be supplied to you with the Internship Agreement.
How are students assessed?
- An Academic Supervisor will be assigned to the student and a site visit will be arranged to ensure the student’s progress during the internship.
- Students are required to keep a diary of their experience, to be shown to the module coordinator or academic supervisor on request.
- Students must complete a final report, summarising their experiences, with specific reference to their general learning, technical learning and personal learning.
- Employers complete an Employer Assessment Form when the internship finishes.
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