Education and Training hub
What education and training courses serve the Irish polymer sector?
The Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Polymer & Mechanical Engineering at TUS Athlone is specifically designed to feed Ireland’s high-demand MedTech and manufacturing sectors. This course provides the specialised "polymer" toolkit companies are looking for.
Course overview:
This is a 4-year Level 8 Honours Degree. Unlike a standard mechanical engineering degree, this course blends core mechanical principles with advanced polymer science - you understand the machines (mechanical) and the materials they process (polymers).
Year 1: Common Entry
You start with Engineering Common Entry (US773). This allows you to build a foundation in maths, science, and mechanics before committing to the Polymer stream in Year 2.
Key Skills & Curriculum
The program moves from general engineering to highly specialised industry skills:
- Polymer Processing: Deep dives into injection moulding, extrusion, and blow moulding.
- Product Design: Using CAD (Computer-Aided Design) to create plastic components specifically for the medical and automotive sectors.
- Material Science: Learning how to select the right polymer for high-performance environments (e.g., a heart valve vs. a car bumper).
- Industry 4.0: Exposure to automation, robotics, and "Smart" manufacturing.
https://tus.ie/courses/us913/
The US773 Engineering Common Entry at TUS Athlone is specifically designed to feed Ireland’s high-demand MedTech and manufacturing sectors. Ireland is a global hub for these industries, and this course is one of the few that provides the specialised "polymer" toolkit companies are looking for.
Course overview:
This is a Common Entry route leading to a Level 7 Bachelor of Engineering degree.
Key Skills & Curriculum:
The program moves from general engineering to highly specialised industry skills:
- Polymer Processing: Deep dives into injection moulding, extrusion, and blow moulding.
- Product Design: Using CAD (Computer-Aided Design) to create plastic components specifically for the medical and automotive sectors.
- Material Science: Learning how to select the right polymer for high-performance environments (e.g., a heart valve vs. a car bumper).
- Industry 4.0: Exposure to automation, robotics, and "Smart" manufacturing.
- In Year 3, you complete a 6-month industrial placement. This often serves as a "long interview," with many students securing job offers before they even graduate
https://tus.ie/courses/us773/
The Bachelor of Science in Polymer Processing Technology (Apprenticeship) is a Level 7 degree designed to provide the manufacturing industry with expert technical professionals ready to undertake the role of a Technologist. This three-year programme offers a formal contract of apprenticeship where students are paid employees.
Overview
This apprenticeship operates on a dual "earn and learn" educational model. It formally blends on the job employer-based learning with off the job academic training. Apprentices spend 15 weeks per calendar year at TUS completing their academic block, and the remaining 37 weeks in their host company completing practical, supervised training.
Key Skills and Curriculum
- Key Skills: Apprentices gain extensive hands-on experience and develop problem-solving skills in core polymer disciplines, including Injection Moulding, Blow Moulding, Extrusion, Thermoforming, and Foam Extrusion. They develop technical competencies in setting up processing lines, troubleshooting, automation, robotics, and 3D printing/additive manufacturing.
- Curriculum: The curriculum is divided into seven structured phases (four on-the-job and three off-the-job). Key academic modules include Polymer Processing, Materials Science, Engineering Drawing and CAD, Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), Automation and Control, and Six Sigma Quality Control.
https://tus.ie/courses/polymer-processing-technology-apprenticeship/
Polymer & Biomedical Engineering Pathways at TUS Athlone
The M.Sc. in Advanced Engineering Technologies at TUS Athlone is designed to support Ireland’s high-demand polymer, plastics, MedTech, biomedical engineering and advanced manufacturing sectors. These Level 9 offerings address the need for advanced skills in polymer materials, biomaterials, medical device engineering and high-value manufacturing.
Course Overview
This is a flexible Level 9 postgraduate framework with four award options. Unlike a generic engineering master’s, these programmes are built around the specific materials, processing, biomedical, medical device, quality and manufacturing skills needed by the Polymer and MedTech industry.
- 90 ECTS M.Sc. in Advanced Engineering Technologies — includes a 30-credit dissertation or work-based professional practice project.
- 60 ECTS Postgraduate Diploma in Engineering in Advanced Engineering Technologies — full taught award without the dissertation stage.
- Postgraduate Certificate — Polymer Engineering — focused upskilling in polymer systems, processing, characterisation and application.
- Postgraduate Certificate — Biomedical Engineering — focused upskilling in biomaterials, biomedical science, medical device engineering and design.
Key Skills & Curriculum
The programme develops advanced, industry-relevant skills in:
- Polymer Processing: Advanced polymer systems, processing, characterisation, injection moulding, extrusion, compounding and design.
- Polymer Materials & Characterisation: Selecting, testing and understanding polymers for high-performance industrial and medical applications.
- Biomedical Engineering: Biomaterials, biomedical science and physiology, and healthcare product development.
- Medical Device Engineering: Medical device design, regulated manufacturing, quality, validation and regulatory affairs.
- Sustainability & Advanced Manufacturing: Circular economy, sustainable technologies, applied manufacturing and industry-relevant problem solving.
More on this course (Link to detailed course page)
Courses at ATU Sligo are delivered primarily online and part-time to accommodate industry professionals, these programmes provide a structured academic pathway from Level 6 to Level 8.
Suitable for: Beginners, machine operatives, or those looking to secure an entry-level technician role in plastics or medical device manufacturing.
What it does for the learner: Eases students into engineering education, covering polymer basics, computational design, mathematics, electronics, and automation.
Entry Requirements: NFQ Level 5 (Leaving Certificate) or equivalent. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) may apply.
https://www.atu.ie/courses/certificate-polymer-technologies
https://www.firstpolymerskillnet.com/
First Polymer Training Skillnet , supported by Ibec and Skillnet Ireland, bridges the skills gap in Ireland's advanced manufacturing, polymer and medical device sectors. Through practical, subsidised training, First Polymer Training Skillnet empowers industry professionals to advance their careers while ensuring Irish businesses remain globally competitive.
Hands-on, QQI-accredited short courses delivered at the Athlone centre, scaling from beginner basics to advanced troubleshooting. Extrusion and blow moulding courses are also offered.
Automation & Electrical Maintenance
Critical upskilling for modern manufacturing environments that rely heavily on automated production lines, PLCs, and complex electrical equipment.
Essential training for understanding the science and design behind high-quality polymer components.
Third-Level Polymer Degrees (in partnership with ATU Sligo)
Delivered primarily online and part-time to suit industry professionals, these programmes provide a structured academic pathway to achieve a formal polymer qualification.