Course Summary
About this Programme
The Higher Diploma in in Science in Computing is a nationwide initiative which aims to re-train graduates with backgrounds in disciplines other than computing and give them the skills they need to pursue a career in an IT related field.
It was developed in conjunction with regional and national employers and a core component of the programme is an industry-led project or placement. Past graduates have often obtained full-time employment in the companies where they have undertaken their placement.
The programme is fully online so enable learners to undertake studies when it suits them. Companies such as Amazon Web Services, Overstock, Codec Ireland, Cora Systems, Live Tiles, CBE, Bank of Ireland both support and contributed to the development of this programme.
Entry Requirements
Entry requirements for CAO courses at ATU Sligo are available for download below:
- Download Entry requirements for just Level 8 programmes
- Download Entry requirements for all programmes
Students interested in this programme should have completed a Level 8 qualification in an area other than Computing. Applicants may be asked to attend for interview and/or assessment to determine their suitability for the programme.
Career Opportunities
On successful completion of the programme graduates can pursue a career in any one of the following fields: object oriented software development, database design and development, systems analysis, testing and project management, web application and user interface design, architectures and networking. Students that have completed this course are currently employed in a variety of different companies for example Pro Cloud, Primerica, CBE Software Development , Cora Systems and Profile
Testimonials
Faron Coyne | QA Manager | Bank of Ireland
We’re very pleased with the quality of applicants that we interviewed from this course. The successful candidate has brought a new dimension to the role and a different way of thinking/approach to how we conduct our testing. The skills he developed while in this course has brought more efficiencies to his role and we very pleased with how quickly he has up-skilled from a manual tester to a more technical automation test engineer inside 10 months.
We will certainly recruit candidates from this course for future roles.
James McGloin | Eointech Solutions, Sligo
One of the reasons Eointec Solutions moved to the Innovation Centre IT Sligo was to have greater links with the college, it is vital for our business to have a source of local software engineers with well-developed skill sets and IT Sligo's conversion course gives us a great way to assess their graduates.
Clement Byrnes | Gortnor Abbey, Crossmolina, Mayo
I very much enjoyed doing the H. Dip at ATU Sligo. The online nature of the course allowed me flexibility around the working day. I found the course both engaging and challenging with the lecturers always on hand to guide and help if needed. The course builds skills and confidence for anyone that wants to a pursue a career in ICT. I found it to be invaluable for introducing and teaching the new Leaving Certificate Computer Science course.
Programme Fees
Academic Year 2024/25 Fees
Total Programme Fee: €7,500
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 |
|---|---|
| Object Oriented Software Development 1 | 10 |
| Information Systems | 05 |
| Web and UI Design | 05 |
Semester 2
| Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Object-Oriented Software Development 2 | 05 |
| Web Applications Development | 10 |
| Advanced Databases | 05 |
Semester 3
| Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Computer Architecture, Operating Systems and Networks | 05 |
| Systems Analysis and Testing | 05 |
Semester 4
| Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Cloud Computing | 05 |
| Secure Networks | 05 |
| Project [E] | 10 |
| Work Placement [E] | 10 |
[E] = Elective Module. Modules subject to availability.