Engineering - Common Entry - Sligo
Our suite of Level 8 degrees in Robotics and Automation, Civil Engineering and Mechanical Engineering all share common first year modules. This allows students the opportunity to study aspects of each before making an informed decision on which discipline to specialise in.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | Atlantic Technological University |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | Atlantic Technological University | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
4 years full-time.
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Additional Requirements
• Min H5 in Maths
Honours Degree (Level 8)
6 leaving Certificate subjects
A minimum of two subjects at grade H5 or better
Remaining subjects at grade O6/H7 or better
Subjects must include either English or Irish.
Leaving Certificate General Entry Requirements
Students who achieve grade H6 or better in the Higher (Honours) maths exam will receive 25 additional points. Bonus points will also apply to Honours maths results from previous years. For maths results from 2016 and earlier, applicants will need to have achieved a grade of HD3 or better to qualify for bonus points.
Maths
Maths with a minimum grade of O6/H7 or F2 is the minimum requirement for most programmes. However, there are some programmes for which maths in not required and others (typically engineering computing programmes) for which foundation maths may not be sufficient or for which the minimum grade required is higher, e.g. H5 or better. Please check individual programme descriptors carefully for details of the maths requirement specific to each programme.
Foundation Maths
Foundation maths at and above grade F2 (80%) is accepted as meeting the maths requirement for most, but not all, programmes. Typically, foundation maths is not accepted for our engineering, education or nursing programmes.
Nor is foundation maths accepted for some abinitio level 8 programmes. Please check individual programme descriptors to see the minimum maths requirement.
Where accepted, points for qualifying Foundation Maths are:
FI 20 points
F2 12 points
Qualifying Maths Programmes
ATU run qualifying maths programmes for applicants who are otherwise eligible but who do not meet the maths requirement for the programme to which they have applied. These qualifying maths programmes are usually held after the Leaving Certificate results become available. Please see the ATU website for details of times and locations.
Passing a qualifying maths programme at ATU will compensate for failure to matriculate in maths via the Leaving Cert. or equivalent school-leaving exam. Passing a qualifying maths course will not compensate for any other deficit in the entry requirements. In all cases applicants must meet the other minimum entry requirements and the current points for the programme they wish to attend.
QQI FET Applicants General Information
QQI Leibhéal 5/6 (FETAC)
Applicants must present a full major award at Level 5 or higher. A record achievement, a minor award or a component award will not meet the minimum entry requirement. You must have at least 120 QQI FET credits to matriculate.
Additional specific requirements apply to some programmes. For most ATU programmes we accept any
QQI Level 5 award. However, for some ATU programmes, e.g. Nursing, specific QQI awards are required.
For other ATU programmes you will be expected to include a specific module within your FE award – most commonly a maths module, or to have passed Maths in the Leaving Cert. For Level 8 programmes you will normally be required to have achieved at least 3 distinctions, though 5 distinctions are required for nursing programmes.
Please consult the Applicants section of the CAO website for listings of QQI/FE requirements for individual ATU programme codes, https://www.cao.ie/index.php?page=fetac_search
Details of the Scoring Scheme for QQI awards can also be found via the Applicants section of the CAO website, http://www2.cao.ie/fetac/FETAC_scoring.pdf
Note that points based on QQI/FET results will be used when assigning places for the vocational quota only. Most offers for the vocational quota issue on Round Zero. If the vocational quota for any programme remains unfilled after Round Zero additional offers for this quota may be made
on subsequent rounds.
Applicants with QQI awards at Level 6 or higher may be considered for advanced entry, i.e. into Year 2 in a cognate area. Apply directly to ATU if you wish to be considered for advanced entry.
Careers / Further progression
Career Opportunities
Our engineering graduates are in high demand to meet the skills shortage across the sector both nationally and internationally. The career opportunities vary for graduates depending on which stream of engineering they choose to specialise in. From the high-tech pharmaceutical and electronics sectors to traditional manufacturing with design, fabrication and assembly; or the design, construction and maintenance of the built environment that is essential to our society, graduates pursue a wide variety of career paths. They work as design and project engineers or in consultancy and management, to name a few.
Further Study Options
We offer a comprehensive suite of Level 9 and Level 10 postgraduate qualifications both on-campus and online to further develop and enhance the career prospects of our students. These include award winning Masters in Road and Transport Engineering, Masters in Quality, and innovative Masters in Connected and Autonomous Vehicles and Data Science.
Further information
Mature Students
Mic Léinn Lánfhásta
If you are applying for Year 1 and will be 23 years of age (or older) by 1st January in the proposed year of entry you are defined as a “Mature Applicant”.
For more information, please visit www.cao.ie/mature
All mature applicants will be assessed on previous qualifications and their personal statements. For high demand programmes, applicants will be ranked in order of merit or called for interview.
Mature applicants applying for nursing will be selected on the basis of an external test organised by the Nursing Board. Please check individual programme descriptions for more information.
UK and Northern Ireland Applicants
Iarrthóirí ón Ríocht Aontaithe agus Ó Thuaisceart Éirinn
An award at Level 3 on the UK framework is the minimum entry standard for year one.
Standard UK/NI applicants
Standard applicants are those presenting a combination of GCSE/GCE awards only. This is the most clear-cut entry pathway. The more common entry requirements are outlined below but it is necessary to consult individual programme description pages for full details.
English (or Irish) is always a required subject. The minimum acceptable grade is GCSE grade C.
Mathematics is almost always required. Where required, the minimum acceptable grade is usually GCSE grade C, but a higher grade may be specified for some programmes, especially in engineering/computing.
Other - Additional subject requirements may apply to some programmes. Where specific other subjects are required the minimum acceptable grade, GCSE @ C or higher. For instance,
Art may be required for some Design programmes
A laboratory Science is required for Nursing and several science-based programmes.
For ATU Level 6 or Level 7 programmes you will need:
Five different recognised GCSE/GCE subjects.
These must include at least one GCE A-Level at grade E or better.
The remaining four may be drawn from GCSE (Grades A-C only) or AS grades A-E.
Your subject must include either English or Irish - minimum acceptable grade, GCSE at C or higher.
In most cases you will be required to present maths, where required, the minimum acceptable grade
is usually GCSE grade C, but a higher grade may be specified for some programmes, especially in
engineering/computing.
Where specific other subjects are required the minimum acceptable grade, GCSE at C or higher.
For ATU Level 8 ab initio programmes you will need:
Six different recognised GCSE/GCE subjects.
These must include at least two GCE A-Levels at grade C or higher.
The remaining 4 can be drawn from GCSE (Grades A-C only), or from A-Levels or AS grades A-E
Applied A-Level subjects may be used to meet the minimum requirements.
It is possible to meet the minimum requirements through a combination of exams taken over more than one year.
Meeting the minimum requirements outlined may not be sufficient to guarantee selection. Entry is competitive and ranking is based on points. Points are derived from GCE A-Level grades. The better your GCE results the better your chance of selection.
Non-standard UK/NI Applicants
Awards other than GCE/GCSE combination are regarded as non-standard and are not included in CAO centralised automated processing. If you are including UK awards other than the standard GCE/GCSE combination as part of your application, you will need to submit supporting documents. Details of the alternate qualification(s) should be supplied to CAO (if applying for entry to the first year) or directly to ATU (if applying for advanced entry, i.e. entry to years 2, 3, or 4).
Whether or not a non-standard award will be recognised, and to what degree, will depend on the framework level, the learning outcomes achieved, and how those learning outcomes fit in with the pre-requisites of the programme for which application is being made.
ATU will consider awards at UK Framework Level 3 or higher, including BTECs, AVCs, GNVQs, etc.
Please attach the following for any non-standard awards you may be presenting at UK Level 3 or higher
1. The Award Certificate
2. A transcript of results - showing subject is taken and grades achieved
3. A copy of the syllabus or the programme schedule showing modules are taken, credits that apply, and expected learning outcomes.
With the exception of GCSE certificates at grade C or higher, awards below UK framework Level 3 do not contribute to matriculation and will be disregarded.
Advanced Entry, HND and other UK level 4 awards
Applicants presenting any award at Level 4 or higher on the UK framework may be considered for Advanced Entry into a cognate area. Applicants for Advanced Entry should apply directly to ATU and not via the CAO.
Please attach to the completed ATU application form details of both your Level 4 syllabus – e.g. HND or other and of your results.
Our ability to accommodate advanced entry applicants will depend on several factors including:
Available vacancies in the advanced class group
The “fit” between the learning outcomes you have already achieved and the programme for which you are applying
Whether or not it will be possible to make up any deficit, or missed element, including any placement requirements, etc.
Every case is different. First offers for advanced entry are normally issued in late July. However, as we sometimes need to await the outcome of autumn exams to resolve any space issues, offers may issue as late as September.
Since advanced entry is not guaranteed, some advanced entry applicants may decide, as a fall-back position, to also apply for first-year via the CAO. This is permissible.
Whether you apply directly to ATU and/ or via the CAO it is important to include all relevant supporting documents.
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Entry 2024
Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20 January 2024 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1 February 2024 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: €60 Closing Date: 1 May 2024 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2024 at 5pm
Exceptional online late application (see page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee €60 Closing Date: 22 July 2024 at 5pm
Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid making an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all application fees are non-refundable.
LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5pm on 1 February 2024. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2024, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2024 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2024 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €60 applies.
Exceptional Late Applications (Exception to the timetable)
The exceptional closing date of 22 July at 5pm applies only to applicants who are registered as an undergraduate student on 1 May 2024 in any year in any one of the participating HEIs (subject to the exclusions listed below). In order to avail of the Exceptional Late Application facility you must have entered the HEI through the CAO system. This is an exceptional late closing date and all steps must be completed by 5pm on 22 July. No changes may be made after this date.
If you did not enter your current course through the CAO system, you must first contact the Admissions Office of the HEI to which you wish to apply and they will inform you if you may submit an application direct to the institution.
Exclusions:
You may submit a late application only for entry to courses other than your existing course. If you wish to repeat the year in the same course you must arrange this within your HEI.
Mary Immaculate College Limerick, Marino Institute of Education, Trinity College Dublin, University of Limerick and Maynooth University have special procedures in place in the case of current or previous students who wish to apply for entry to another course in the same HEI. Such applicants must contact their Admissions Office to determine the application procedure. However, if you are a student in another HEI and you wish to apply to any of these five HEIs, you should apply through CAO.
Refer to page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook on how to make an Exceptional Late Application.
Restrictions
As a CAO applicant you may experience one or more of the following restrictions based on your course choices, your category of application, or restrictions imposed by the HEIs that you wish to apply to. Please read the section on 'Restrictions' on page 3 of the 2024 CAO Handbook carefully. This section includes information on:
General Restrictions
1. Making a late application
2. Making changes to your course choices
Restricted Courses
3. Applying for a restricted course
Mature Applicants
4. Mature applicants
Supplementary Admissions Routes
5. Applying for DARE and/or HEAR
Engineering (Common Entry)
Degree Award Options:
• Robotics and Automation
• Civil Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
This general engineering year equips students with the fundamentals of engineering and gives them exposure to all the different types of engineering that are on offer in ATU Sligo. This helps students to make an informed choice as to which field of engineering to enter based on their aptitude and interest. On successful completion of Year 1, students will transfer into Year 2 of the programme of their choice. Students can choose one of the following options: Robotics and Automation, Civil Engineering or Mechanical Engineering.
Common Entry
This programme offers students an introduction to a wide range of engineering disciplines. Our suite of Level 8 degrees in Robotics and Automation, Civil Engineering and Mechanical Engineering all share common first year modules. This allows students the opportunity to study aspects of each before making an informed decision on which discipline to specialise in. From Year 2, students engage in more detailed applications of the fundamentals of engineering in their chosen field.
What will I study?
Year 1
• Introduction to Engineering
• Engineering Mechanics
• Engineering Graphics and CAD
• Engineering Physics
• Mathematics
• Engineering Chemistry
• Electrical Principles Engineering
• Introduction to Programming
• Multi-Disciplinary Project
• Introduction to Professional Engineering
What will I study?
Robotics and Automation
Year 2
• Control Systems
• Analog Electronics
• Advanced Automation Technology
• Introduction to Engineering
Material
• Industrial Data Communication
• Digital Electronics
• Introduction to Robotics
• Pneumatic and Hydraulic Systems
• Mathematics
Year 3
• Work Placement
• Control Systems Analysis and Design
• Energy Operations and Utilities Management
• Image Processing
• Power Electronics and Drives
• Six Sigma 2 Statistical Control
• Mathematics
• Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition
Year 4
• Final Year Project
• Advanced Robotics
• Industrial Networks
• AV Sensor Systems
• Renewable Energy Systems
• Control Systems Analysis and Design
• Deep Learning for Computer Vision
• Computer Vision
• Finance for Engineers
• Research Methods
Civil Engineering
Year 2
• Civil Engineering Materials
• Structural Mechanics
• Hydraulics
• Environmental Engineering
• Surveying
• Site Management
• Structural Mechanics
• Soil Mechanics and Geology
• Mathematics
Year 3
• Environmental Engineering
• Geotechnical Engineering
• Hydraulics
• Structural Mechanics
• Structural Design
• Highway Engineering
• Mathematics
• Structural Analysis
• Work Placement
Year 4
• Final Year Project
• Transportation Engineering
• Civil Engineering Law
• Project Management and Finance
• Environmental Engineering
• Geotechnical Engineering
• Structural Analysis
• Structural Design
• Highway Engineering
• Hydraulics
Mechanical Engineering
Year 3
• Engineering Dynamics
• Manufacturing Processes
• Design Engineering Project
• Control Systems
• Energy Systems
• Pneumatic and Hydraulic Systems
• Automation Programming
• Mathematics
• Design Engineering Project
• Introduction to Engineering Materials
• Mechanics for Mechanical Engineers
Year 3
• Work Placement
• Applied Mechanics
• Energy Systems
• Dynamic Modelling and Simulation
• Materials and Processes
• Computer Aided Engineering
• Energy Operations and Utilities Management
• Essential Lean Six Sigma and Validation
Year 4
• Final Year Project
• Industry 4.0
• Mechanical Design
• Advanced Technology and Innovation
• Renewable Energy Systems
• Statistical and Numerical methods
• Energy Systems
• Computer Vision
• Finance for Engineers
Did You Know?
Students undertake a twelve-week work placement in semester two of Year 3. This allows them to put all the skills from their studies into a real work experience. This can help to reinforce career path choices. It can also highlight new career opportunities or fuel a desire to progress into postgraduate studies.
Quick Fact
Engineering student projects are presented at The Sligo Engineering and Technology Expo. A range of companies attend the expo, including Fortune 500 industry leaders. This allows students to network with potential employers. A link to the latest edition of the expo catalogue can be found on our engineering programme webpages.
Professional Accreditation
Accreditation from Engineers Ireland for Chartered Engineer is expected after the first cohort of graduates. Accreditation for our Civil Engineering degree is already in place.
e: cao.sligo@atu.ie