This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Find out more here. Accept and Continue

Queen's University Belfast

International Diploma in Engineering

Equivalent to the first year of a degree, for entry into Engineering degrees at Queen's University Belfast.

The International Diploma combines academic study, intensive English language teaching and study skills to prepare you for direct entry into the second year of a university degree.

Why apply for the international diploma programme?

  • full university status
  • a quality-assured NCUK (Northern Consortium United Kingdom) accredited programme
  • a campus based programme with access to world-class university facilities
  • a conditional offer of a place on a relevant undergraduate degree at Queen's University Belfast or one of the NCUK's owner universities
  • professional support and help with university applications
  • multiple start dates
  • the highest levels of personal care and support

100% of International Diploma students progressed to a UK university in 2011

  • Course Description
  • Entry requirements
  • Dates and prices
  • Progression
  • How to apply

Depending on your intended degree, there are two streams available:

 

  1. Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
  2. Electrical and Electronic Engineering

 

These streams lead to various degree programmes at Queen's University Belfast. Please see the progression tab.

 

1. Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering

 

What will I study?

Core modules:

English for Academic
Purposes and Key Skills		 This module will give you the language proficiency and academic study skills you will need to embark on the second year of an undergraduate course in a British university.
Engineering Mathematics 1 and 2 Mathematics is a fundamental discipline underpinning many areas of engineering. The purpose of this module is to provide you with a sound basis in engineering related mathematics such that you can deal with the wide range of modules that involve analytical methods.

 

 

Specialist modules:

Drawing and Design In this module you will be introduced to the design process and learn to apply the principles of good design to the creation of appropriate artefacts in simple design exercises. You will learn how to draw engineering diagrams following standard conventions, use a computer-aided design (CAD) system to develop engineering drawings of components and assemblies and how to derive information from engineering drawings.
Electrical and Electronic Engineering  The module introduces the fundamental concepts of Electrical and Electronic Engineering and explains the operation of simple circuit elements and components in electrical and electronic systems. By the end of the module you will be able to understand and apply mathematical, scientific and engineering principles and tools to the analysis, synthesis, performance assessment, critical appraisal and evaluation of electrical and electronic engineering processes and systems.
Dynamics By the end of this module, you should be able to recall and apply Newton's laws of motion, use mathematical models to analyse the behaviour of simple mechanical systems and use the theory and principles of dynamics to carry out simple calculations.
Mechanical Principles This module provides you with the theoretical and practical knowledge necessary to analyse the behaviour of simple mechanical systems subjected to the action of various forces and to determine the effects of loading in a range of static engineering systems.
Fluid Mechanics By the end of the fluid mechanics module you should be able to understand the basic properties of fluids and their mechanics under static and dynamic conditions and apply the principles of conservation of mass, momentum and energy in engineering applications.
Materials and Manufacture This module introduces the basic properties of materials used in Mechanical Engineering. By the end of the module you will be able to identify the basic properties of materials for a particular component and reasons for selection of that material, recognise the basic principles of selecting manufacturing processes for a particular component, explain material characteristics and properties and relate them to performance, manufacturing process and the environment.
Mechanics of Materials and Structures This module covers mathematical models to analyse the behaviour of simple mechanical systems. You will be able to use the theory and principles of statics to carry out simple calculations, describe the fundamentals of stress analysis and their applications in engineering and solve problems involving stresses and strains in engineering materials. You will have the ability to predict the strength of a basic structural system and apply appropriate material and sections to a basic structural system in order to render the structure safe to operate.
Thermodynamics This module provides an elementary introduction to thermodynamics, including a discussion of the fundamental concepts of heat, work, energy and entropy. The module introduces the properties of different working fluids (vapours and gases) and also provides the necessary analytical skills to address practical and theoretical issues arising from the analysis of thermodynamic machinery.

 

  

2. Electrical and Electronic Engineering

 

What will I study?

Core modules:

English for Academic
Purposes and Key Skills		 This module will give you the language proficiency and academic study skills you will need to embark on the second year of an undergraduate course in a British university.
Mathematics 1 and 2 Mathematics is a fundamental discipline underpinning many areas of engineering. The purpose of this module is to provide you with a sound basis in engineering related mathematics such that you can deal with the wide range of modules that involve analytical methods.

 

 

Specialist modules:

Engineering Applications, Practice and Design In this module you will be introduced to the product development life cycle and the use of project management tools and techniques in the development of engineering artefacts. You will apply experimental methods, construct and test circuits using prototyping techniques, computer aided design (CAD) and simulation software packages and understand the importance of clear documentation and communication, health and safety guidelines, copyright laws and ethics applied to the use of IT systems.
Introduction to Computer Programming The module introduces computer programming concepts and practical skills. By the end of the module, you should have an understanding of the basics of C++ programming and know how to create, compile and run programs. You should know about data types, strings and pointers and how to utilise the various mathematical operators and standard libraries' functions.
Circuit Principles The module introduces the concept of simple circuit elements in electrical and electronic systems, with DC and transient (step) excitation.
Digital System Design This module introduces the principles of digital logic, combinatorial and sequential circuit design and digital system implementation. By the end of the module, you should be able to understand the principles of digital logic, design combinatorial and sequential circuits and implement digital circuits using logic gates and programmable logic devices.
Analogue Electronics This module explains the operation and use of simple analogue components such as diodes and transistors and provides you with the knowledge and ability to design and analyse simple non-linear circuits using these components. By the end of the module you will be able to explain the concept of biasing and the use of small signal circuit models for transistors and analyse and design single-transistor amplifier and simple op amp circuits.
Circuit Principles 2 This module builds on the work done in Circuit Principles 1 and provides an introduction to electrical and electronic systems excited by sine wave AC.
Electronic Engineering Materials The module introduces the properties of the most important materials used in electronic and electrical engineering. By the end of the module, you should be able to describe the basic structure and operation of common semiconductor materials, insulators and dielectric materials, and magnetic materials.
Energy Transport and Conversion The energy transport and conversion module provides an introduction to the mechanisms used in electrical engineering to transform mechanical energy into electrical energy and the transmission of electrical energy over the power system to the point of utilisation.
Electromagnetic Fields This module introduces the fundamental properties of electromagnetic fields in an engineering context. By the end of the module you should be able to recall and describe the fundamental properties of electromagnetic fields and carry out calculations relating to electromagnetic fields.

 

How will I be assessed?

Successful completion of the International Diploma, subject to getting the required grades for your intended degree, gives you the opportunity to progress to the second year of an undergraduate degree at Queen's University Belfast.

To qualify, you will need to:

  • You will need to pass all of your subject modules to the levels required to progress.
  • You will need to achieve the required grades in your English for Academic Purposes class.

For more information, download the progression PDF below.

  • Find out more about this course

    Download more information about the modules for this course.

    DOWNLOAD PDF (72 KB)

  • Where does this course lead?

    Find out more about the degrees you can progress to from this course and the grades you will need.

    DOWNLOAD PDF (40 KB)

  • PDF Application Form

    Use this form to submit an application by post, fax or email. Alternatively use the apply now button above to apply online.

    DOWNLOAD PDF (306 KB)