Course Summary
Studying a full-time, online undergraduate programme in Health and Medical Information Science means learning a huge range of employable skills across the wider areas of Science, Health and Medical Informatics, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Economics, Public Health, Philosophy, Programming and Data Analysis.
The modules across the three years will be delivered innovatively through various modes of online learning techniques. Course materials will be linked to real-world problems in the area of Healthcare delivery and students will learn how to manage and provide evidence-based solutions. Graduates from this programme will have a strong grounding in all areas of healthcare systems delivery, management, audit and evaluation, governance and regulatory principles. They will also have the data analysis skills necessary to critically appraise areas of process inefficiency and develop alternative frameworks for enhancing outcomes. These skills will be needed globally as the current COVID-19 pandemic will necessitate large-scale systems audit and framework development to combat future potential threats to Public Health.
The common theme across this programme is data analytics in health and the lecturers delivering this programme are strong researchers in health policy and data analysis having worked as researchers in Ireland and the US and the UK. The lecturing team give practical examples of contemporary research in the health area to assist with consolidation of learning. Online resources highlighting contemporary themes and debates in health data analytics are used in practicals and workshops.
This course would be suited to school leavers, hospital workers, carers, public sector employees, education sector employees and those who work in the non-profit/voluntary sector. As this is a full-time online it would be suited to those who have the time to study full-time but cannot attend on-campus due to a disability, caring commitments, financial constraints
Look back on our Webinar event to find out all about this programme and the supports available here.
Download the full programme brochure here.
Key Course Information
This full-time, online Level 6-degree programme is delivered fully online through blended learning techniques and will equip students with an applied understanding of health informatics, eHealth concepts and applications, health statistics and data programming, medical data management and systems evaluation; applied epidemiology; health economics and predictive modelling; as well as a range of other subjects to facilitate a broader understanding of healthcare management, delivery and audit.
Live Lectures: This is a full-time, online programme delivered primarily during the hours of 9am-6pm from Monday to Friday. One evening lecture per week is also included. If the Live Classroom scheduled times for the live online lectures do not suit you, recordings will be made available through Moodle (our virtual learning environment), and you can watch back. This is a full-time fully online programme with no on-campus requirement.
Study Hours: Whether you are studying part-time online, blended or full-time online, it is very important that you allocate enough study time to your online course to stay focused, reduce stress and achieve your goals. This is a full-time programme and so students should allocate approximately 35 hours per week between lectures, practicals, assignments and independent study as with any full-time college programme.
Assignments/Examinations: You will be assessed differently across modules with assignments, online quizzes, presentation delivery, project work and end of term exams.
What to expect from Moodle (our virtual learning environment? The Moodle pages for the modules in the programme embrace UDL functionality and lecturers include lecture notes, recordings, additional videos, online resources, e-books and papers, practical assessments, and a range of other learning tools. Module leaders also promote all teh additional supports available for online students across ATU on the Moodle pages.
For more information on this programme contact programme chairs:
Dr. Richéal Burns, Lecturer in Health Information Technology, ATU Sligo. Click here to email.
Mr. Padraig Mc Gourty, Lecturer in Statistics and Information Technology, ATU Sligo. Click here to email.
Application Closing Date : 15th August 2025
Entry Requirements
QQI Entry Requirements
C20139 or 5N1833 or C20174 or C20175 or 5N18396 or LCE Maths
Leaving Certificate Entry requirements
- Minimum Subjects - 5O6/H7
- English or Irish - O6/H7
- Maths F2/O6/H7
We have developed a free maths MOOC course to help students who might traditionally have struggled or have any concerns about maths. In addition, we have a full maths support team that can support our students in one-to-one or group settings. Our team would be delighted to support you if you need us at any stage during your studies.
Career Opportunities
The design of this programme is geared towards developing and professional skills and technical qualities to meet the current and future needs of the healthcare sector and its multi-faceted health information system.
Students can expect to acquire an understanding of concepts and applications in Health Informatics, Health Statistics, Health Economics Health Systems and Policy and Application in Big Data. Students will also have a Level 6 understanding of Mathematics, Computer Science and Science more generally.
Graduates from this programme will be able to work in a variety of settings including hospitals, long-term healthcare facilities, primary care facilities, home health agencies, insurance companies, government agencies (i.e. HSE. TULSA, HIQA, NCPE), information technology vendors, and pharmaceutical, medical devices and consultancy companies.
Further Study
This programme offers a Level 6 qualification in Health and Medical Information Science. Students can progress onto the BSc in Health and Medical Information Science on successful completion of this Higher Certificate. The development of Level 8 add-on opportunities involving a substantial work placement are underway. These will include various specialisations in the area of Health Informatics, Big Data Analytics and Health Technology Assessment.
Did you know?
A recent report, 2020 Global Health Care Outlook from Deloitte, states: Rising health care costs. Changing patient demographics. Evolving consumer expectations. New market entrants. Complex health and technology ecosystems. Health care stakeholders need to invest in value-based care, innovative care delivery models, advanced digital technologies, data interoperability, and alternative employment models to prepare for these uncertainties and build a smart health ecosystem.
Programme Fees
Academic Year 2024/25 Fees
Total Programme Fee: €3,000
To help make the payment of fees more manageable for students who are self-funding their studies, tuition fees can be paid through payment instalment plans at ATU Sligo. For further information on instalment plans, please visit our Fees and Funding webpage.
If you apply and are approved for an online course at ATU Sligo, you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit of €250 to secure your place. Your deposit will then be credited against the course fees once you are registered as a student. Students at ATU Sligo are also eligible to claim tax relief at the standard rate for tuition fees.
For further information and guidance about Fees and Funding for online and part-time courses at ATU Sligo, click here.
If you are seeking to take your exams online, and you meet the eligibility criteria (overseas students and those with extenuating circumstances), an additional examinations fee will apply. For further information, please visit our Examinations webpage.
Course Format
Semester 1
| Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Essential Mathematics | 05 |
| Basic Computing for Health Sciences | 05 |
| Essential Skills in Health Science | 10 |
| Cell Biology | 05 |
| Healthcare Systems | 05 |
Semester 2
| Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Statistics in Health Science | 05 |
| Introduction to Health Ethics | 05 |
| Health Promotion Practice | 10 |
| Introduction to Health Informatics | 05 |
| Human Anatomy and Physiology | 05 |
Semester 3
Semester 4
| Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Introduction to eHealth | 10 |
| Big Data in Health | 05 |
| Data Visualisation | 05 |
| Infectious Disease | 05 |
| Clinical Biochemistry | 05 |