Bachelor of Engineering in Mechatronic Systems

Course Summary

Note: For September 2023 this programme is not on the CAO but instead will be by direct entry.  To find out more about the application process please fill out this Expression of Interest form: bit.ly/mechWBLform

Would you prefer to be working or building things than sitting in a classroom?

Do you see yourself as a problem solver?

Would you like to have an income as you go through college?

Well maybe you should consider a degree in Mechatronic Engineering! And maybe a work-based programme might be the best way to learn!

Mechatronics is the combination of mechanics, electronics, robotics and computing that is used in modern engineering industries. It involves the study of automation from an engineering perspective and serves the purpose of controlling advanced hybrid systems in business and industry.

In this work-based version of our campus degree, students spend three days per week in the workplace and two days per week studying online with ATU Sligo, Ireland's largest and most experienced institute in online learning.

Students learn how to analyse, design, and control the type of machines and processes that are used, for example, in biomedical, automotive manufacture and high-speed automation. Mechatronic Systems graduates are equally at home in the mechanical or electronic domain and are specialists in interfacing computer-controlled systems.

This "work-based" version of our highly popular campus programme will also give students a huge amount of work experience and exposure to real-world problems. This means our graduates are highly valued employee for any manufacturing employer.

Please note that for entry onto this programme students must be offered a traineeship position with a suitable employer. We have interested employers all over Ireland but interested students must contact ATU Sligo using this form bit.ly/mechWBLform in order to organise an interview with an employer.

As this programme is not on the CAO this year, both Leaving Certificate and students already working with a suitable employer should contact us directly using the above form.

KEY PROGRAMME INFORMATION

This programme is a full-time, Level 7, work-based programme in Mechatronic Systems Engineering where students are placed in the workplace for three years working for three days per week and studying online for two days per week.

Applicants are required to be offered a three year traineeship position with a suitable employer to be accepted on to this programme. We will help interested students find a placement with a suitable employer. Students must fill out the online form and we will be in touch with them to discuss it bit.ly/mechWBLform  

PROGRAMME ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENT

This new full-time online undergraduate degree programme is “work-based” where students spend three days a week in the workplace and two days studying online with ATU Sligo, who have been delivering online courses in engineering since 2002. Due to specific laboratory and practical learning requirements, students may be required to attend the ATU Sligo campus for up to four days per year. 

However, this may be less as we are constantly working to reduce the need for attendance using online simulations, work-based practical projects and remote access to equipment in ATU Sligo. Students may also be required to attend an examination centre in Sligo or Dublin for up to six days per year. Again, this may be less as we are also developing our capacity to facilitate online exams. 

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements for CAO courses at ATU Sligo are available for download below:

• Download Entry requirements for just Level 7 programmes
• Download Entry requirements for all programmes

The key entry requirement for this course is that a student must be offered a traineeship position with a suitable employer. For students who are interested in joining this programme, ATU Sligo will assist them in finding an employer or working with an employer they have already identified. It is very important that interested students contact us by entering their details on this short "expression of interest" form:  bit.ly/mechWBLform  so that we can discuss finding a suitable employer.

This programme is designed for students who have just, or recently, completed secondary education (under 23 years of age) but also accepts mature learners (23 years of age or older).  A minimum of five grade O6/H7 including Mathematics and  English or Irish in the Leaving Certificate. Additional CAO points will be allocated if the applicant's interview with an employer is successful. (Applicants are recommended to have a minimum of an O4 in mathematics. If you do not have this we may be able to provide you with a mathematics "bridging" course.  Please contact us to discuss)

Holders of other secondary school qualifications (in addition to filling out the above form) should contact us. Mature students learners (23 years of age or older) who do not have the required qualifications may be accepted through an interview process and should contact us.

The acceptance process for leaving certificate students does NOT operate through the CAO system. To get a place on this programme students must:

• Contact ATU Sligo directly through this form: bit.ly/mechwblform  (so that we can arrange interviews with local employers)
• Prepare a CV and send it to us for distribution to local employers

If a student has a job offer before the CAO offer date, they may be offered a place on this programme. If a student has not managed to get a job offer they will not receive an offer of a place on this programme.

Mature students should also contact us via the Expression of Interest form to discuss the application process: bit.ly/mechwblform 

Career Opportunities

Graduates of this programme are essentially Robotics or Industrial Automation engineers.  However, the integrated skills developed in this mechatronics programme can be applied to a variety of jobs, enabling students to have a very promising career in the biomedical, pharmaceutical, electronics, food processing and manufacturing sectors. Graduates from this degree have the interdisciplinary approach necessary to integrate electronics, control, software and mechanical engineering. 

Further Study

ATU Sligo has a range of other programmes both on-campus and online at Level 8 (honours degree) in Mechatronics , Polymer Processing and Quality Management that are available to graduates of this programme. Graduates are automatically eligible for entry to the final year of many honours' degree programmes within Ireland. Honours degree graduates may proceed to Masters Degrees, many of which are available online including ATU's Masters in Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (driverless cars). 

Testimonials

Did you know?

Did you know...

..that Work-Based Learning will make you more employable?

..that online learning means that you don't have to leave your job to take classes from ATU Sligo?

..that work-based learners learn faster than campus learners?

..that ATU Sligo is Ireland's leading provider of accredited online higher education with more registered online students than any other institutions in the country? 

..that our experience in teaching online since 2002 is now being used to facilitate students who want to get a degree but cannot or do not wish to attend the campus?

..that we use a computerised adaptive system to teach mathematics to our first years meaning that the system adapts to your pace so you are never behind?

Alumni

Programme Fees

The registration fee is €3,000 per year. This programme is not covered by the SUSI grant scheme. However, many employers have indicated their willingness to support students with fees. ATU Sligo will review applications for financial support to partially fund registration fees for students who would normally be entitled to SUSI grants.

Fees listed for 2023/24 academic year. Fees may be subject to change for 2024/25 academic year.

Course Format

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3

Semester 4

Semester 5

Semester 6