Yes, all ATU Sligo online courses are fully accredited. There is no difference between an on-campus qualification and an online qualification. Online learning is a flexible course delivery model, suitable to those seeking to upskill or retrain while balancing work, family and life commitments.
Yes, as with all ATU Sligo qualifications, courses delivered through Online Learning are internationally recognised.
Online Learning offers qualifications from Level 6 (Higher Certificate), Level 7 (Degree), Level 8 (Honours Degree) right up to Level 9 (Postgraduate Diploma, Certificate and Masters). Many subject areas offer progression paths enabling students to progress through the Levels. ATU Sligo offers a number of Special Purpose Awards (SPAs) which are shorter courses
The majority of online courses start in September and some offer start dates in January. Please see the relevant course page for the start date of the course you are interested in.
September Intake
Applications Open: February 1st
Applications Close: August 31st
January Intake
Applications Open: November 1st
Applications Close: January 9th
ATU Sligo online applicants apply directly to ATU Sligo by visiting the relevant course webpage and clicking on the ‘Apply Now’ button. You will be requested to submit a CV and supporting documents such as transcripts as part of your application.
Outside of the application dates, you can register your interest and we will inform you by email when the application system opens.
Springboard applicants should apply to courses on www.springboardcourses.ie
All courses have specific entry requirements which are outlined on their individual course webpages.
ATU Sligo also considers applications from those with the skills and knowledge gained through experience outside of formal education and training. Please enquire about the RPL process by visiting www.myexperience.ie or by contacting our Admissions teams at admissions@nullitsligo.ie
ATU Sligo also considers applications from those with the skills and knowledge gained through experience outside of formal education and training. Please enquire about the RPL process at www.myexperience.ie or by contacting our Admissions teams at admissions@nullitsligo.ie
Applicants should submit an up-to-date CV and supporting documents such as transcripts or evidence of other qualifications if required, or any other relevant documentation in support of their application
Applicants who attended a third level institution are required to provide an electronic copy of all of their academic transcripts, detailing all modules taken and individual results.
For courses starting in September, the first teaching week is the third week of September.
For courses starting in January, the first teaching week is the third week of January.
You will find out if you have been successful or unsuccessful in gaining a place approximately 4 weeks after you apply, depending on demand.
Yes, we are able to verify, compare and consider qualifications from outside of Ireland. If we are unable to do so, we advise students to contact QQI directly for an official verification.
Yes, as an online student you will be registered as an ATU Sligo student with access to the same facilities as a full-time student, including the library, sports and leisure facilities, clubs and societies and health and well being services.
Once registered, you can apply for an ATU Sligo student card through the Library (library.itsligo.ie)
Yes, all online students are registered as ATU students.
The majority of our online courses are taught 100% online with no requirement to attend campus.
Some of our online courses require attendance at the ATU Sligo campus or at an alternative site (e.g. NIBRT) for lab days, residentials or workshops.
You will be required to attend an exam centre in Sligo. An alternative exam centre may be offered in Dublin or other venue subject to availability.
Further information on attendance requirements can can be found on the relevant course web page.
You may be required to take some time off work to complete examinations at the end of each Semester in January and May.
Workshops/Practicals – approx. 2 days per year depending on the course you are studying. You will receive notification of the dates for the workshops and/or practicals from your lecturer for each specific subject requirements.
Students should allow 14-18 hours per week, on average. Our online courses have about 4 hours of live lectures per week (but this can vary). The rest of your study time consists of independent learning, communicating with your lecturers and classmates and carrying out assignments.
Live lectures normally take place between 6pm and 10pm, Monday to Thursday but this may vary depending on the availability of specific lecturers. If the scheduled times for the live online lectures do not suit you, recordings are available.
Please follow this link for a downloadable guide to supports available to you as an online student at ATU Sligo.
Students will be assessed through a combination of continuous assessments and end of semester exams. The methods of assessment can be found on the module links on the course web pages on our website.
ATU Sligo is the main exam centre. An alternative centre may be offered outside of Sligo subject to availability for the main end of semester exams e.g. Dublin. If available students will receive a survey to confirm their preferred venue. All Autumn Repeat Exams are held in Sligo.
Students based outside of Ireland or within Ireland on a case by case basis may be able to avail of remote proctored examinations and should contact the Examinations Office for further information on this service at examinations@nullitsligo.ie or Tel: 00353 7191 37317
Students with a disability, requiring extra time or other specific accommodations, please contact Learningsupport@nullitsligo.ie
Please see further information about our online examinations here: https://old.itsligo.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Online-Exams-FAQs.pdf
Yes, all online students who complete a Major Award at Level 6, Level 7, Level 8 and Level 9 will be invited to attend Graduation at ATU.
Online students who study a Minor Award or Special Purpose Award of 30 credits or less will be issued with Certificates (via ATU Sligo’s online digital platform) from ATU.
Course fees are available on the course web pages. Funding support may be available through programmes like Springboard+, Skillsnet and/or other training support bodies.
If the course is eligible for funding, details will be included on the course web page under the Fees tab.
We welcome applications from all students regardless of their location. The majority of our online courses require little to no attendance, however there can be mandatory attendance on certain courses due to practical lab or workshop learning needs. Please check the course web page for specific details.
It should be noted that online courses are part-time with live lectures scheduled in the evenings on week days.
A high proficiency in the English Language is required for all applicants. If your first language is not English you will be required to provide evidence of your language competency through a recognised English Language qualification.
Yes. If your employer is part- or fully-funding your studies, you should state this in your application form.
Our Admissions team will supply an invoice request form, which your employer will need to complete and return.
Course fees are available on the specific course web pages.
Fees can be paid in full or by instalment (typically 2 payments per year).
Applicants are requested to pay a non-refundable deposit of €250 to secure their place on a course. The deposit paid is deducted from the total course fee.
Students are asked to confirm their fee payment method when registering as an ATU Sligo student.
ATU Sligo is listed by the Irish revenue as an approved institution. In order to determine if the course you apply for qualifies and your own eligibility for a tax refund, please read the information on the revenue website: http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/it/leaflets/it31.html
This information should also be read in conjunction with Leaflet IT31. If you are in any doubt as to whether a particular course qualifies for tax relief you should contact your local Revenue office which is listed on the leaflet IT31.
Students will need to have access to a PC that is connected to the internet. The PC should have speakers and access to a web camera is beneficial for engaging with lecturers and peers.
Many students opt to use headphones for listening to live or recorded lectures, but again this is optional.
An additional wide angle camera is essential for some types of remote proctoring exams where the answers are handwritten.
Once you can log into the internet with a decent broadband connection, all the applications you need for accessing lectures, the library, course materials and submitting assignments are web-based.
The Springboard+ upskilling initiative in higher education offers free and subsidised courses at certificate, degree and masters level leading to qualifications in areas where there are employment opportunities in the economy.
Springboard+ funds courses on an annual basis and confirmation of the courses funded will be available in early Summer. The full list of Springboard funded programmes is available on www.springboardcourses.ie
All Springboard+ applications must be submitted through the Springboard website www.springboardcourses.ie. Applications received directly in ATU are not considered for Springboard+ funding.
Springboard funded places are confirmed annually.
All Springboard+ applications must be submitted through the Springboard website www.springboardcourses.ie
To see a list of all ATU Sligo approved courses, select ATU Sligo (TBC) from the dropdown list of Providers.
Springboard+ welcomes applications from people who are unemployed, those in employment and returners.
Applicants who are normally resident in Ireland should also meet the nationality and EU residency rules.
Full Details on all the Eligibility criteria are available on https://springboardcourses.ie/eligibility
The Springboard+ upskilling initiative in higher education offers free and subsidised courses at certificate, degree and masters level leading to qualifications in areas where there are employment opportunities in the economy.
Once enrolled on your programme through the Springboard website, you can then register as a student of ATU.
A 10% course fee contribution for Level 7, 8, and 9 courses is applicable for employed participants. This is payable directly to the provider.
There are no tuition fees for DEASP customers or Returners but any subsequent costs such as travel and course materials must be borne by the participant.
All Level 6 programmes are free to all participants.
All ATU Sligo Springboard+ programmes are delivered online using the online learning platform Moodle.
Students access live lectures at scheduled time. However, these are also recorded and can be accessed at any time convenient for the participant. Attendance at the live lecture is not mandatory.
Former participants may apply for another Springboard+ funded course if they still meet the eligibility requirements. A student can complete three Springboard+ programmes in a five year period. You should also note that priority will be given to those who have not previously undertaken a Springboard+ course.
It is not permitted to undertake a second Springboard+ course in same academic year of Springboard+.
No. Recent Level 8 graduates must wait for a period of one year from graduation before they are eligible to do a Level 9 Springboard course. However, recent graduates may apply to do an ICT Skills Conversion or a HCI Pillar 1 course.
All Springboard+ funded students must complete their studies within 1 academic year. Some courses may be shorter (i.e. 13 weeks) and others may run the full academic year. Please check the course web pages for course duration.
The only exception is the two-year HCI funded ICT Conversion courses, which are funded under the Springboard+ initiative for employed participants only.
It is also important to note that under the Springboard+ funding scheme, it is not possible to defer a Springboard+ approved place or postpone modules until the following academic year.
Course providers (i.e. ATU Sligo) are responsible for all aspects of running the Springboard+ funded course and applicants should contact providers directly for details on the course such as start and end dates, classes, and exam timetables. General Springboard Queries – springboardadmissions@nullitsligo.ie and Springboard+ Co-ordinator details Catherine.oreilly@nullatu.ie and 0719305992
ATU Sligo is required to deliver a 5 credit Level 7 ‘The Next Step: Transitioning to Work’ module as part of its Springboard+ funded programmes. This module is mandatory for all those not at a status of ‘employed’ on the Springboard+ platform.
The Springboard+ website has a dedicated FAQs section which can provide more details on the initiative.
Contact Admissions
T: 353 (0) 71 931 8511
E: admissions@nullitsligo.ie