BSc (Hons) in Software Development (add-on) (online)

Course Summary

SG_KSODV_K08 - Next Intake September 2025

The software industry is strong, providing specialist employment, with Ireland an important centre for localisation. The majority of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Ireland is from the US, amounting to over 600 companies employing 100,000 people.

The Irish technology sector remains buoyant with Google, Facebook, Microsoft and eBay all having a major presence here. At ATU Sligo our objective is to equip our graduates with the skills to seek employment in this level of business. We constantly re-assess course content to keep apace of emerging platforms and industry trends. You will undertake a work placement in the third year.

This programme takes into account the specific requirements of the global software industry and what it expects from graduates.

Key Course Information

At ATU Sligo our objective is to equip our graduates with the skills to seek employment in this exciting area. We constantly re-assess course content to keep apace of emerging platforms and industry trends.

Some of the subject areas you will cover include advanced programming, machine learning, artificial intelligence, security, and user experience.

The programme focus is on the design and development of software. There are several distinct features:

• significant practical elements - we believe you learn best by doing and our programme is built upon hands on lab work where you create software solutions.
• equipment - we have invested heavily in equipment, computer labs and workspaces to ensure you have the best tools to learn and prepare you for the workplace.
• project - a substantial capstone project to really grapple with a problem and create a killer solution. You’ll have the space and support to work in a year-long effort towards a solution that will showcase your growing knowledge and application.

So, choose this programme if:

• you want a career in the ever changing world of technology
• you want amazing career opportunities
• you are interested in solving problems and inventing solutions

Note, you can also take this programme online and part-time over 2 years.

Application Closing Date : 31st August 2022

Entry Requirements

This programme is offered currently only for advanced entry to Year 4. You will need a Level 7 in a Software Development programme or cognate area. Alternatively, we can process advanced entry in some case through an examination of your experiential learning. Graduates who have not obtained this minimum may incorporate other equivalent qualifications and relevant work experience and apply for assessment via the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process. RPL is a process that may allow you to gain admission to a programme or to receive exemptions/ credit for some parts of the programme based on demonstrated learning that you may have achieved through another programme of study or through your work or career. Further information is available at www.atu.ie/recognition-of-prior-learning which our dedicated RPL portal or by contacting our admissions team at admissions.sligo@atu.ie  

Career Opportunities

The software industry is exceptionally strong in Ireland, providing a significant number of employment opportunities in a wide variety of organisation. The opportunities are with both indigenous Irish companies and large multinational organisations and not only in what you would call “tech” companies such as Google, Microsoft and Facebook. All sectors require software professionals and there are many opportunities in traditional sectors such as finance, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, health and service industries.

The outlook is positive. Morgan McKinley report demand for software developers shows “no sign of slowing down”. It continues: “Over the past 12 months salaries have increased across the majority of areas particularly in the development space.”

There are many progression routes into the software industry. Future career paths could include software testing, software engineer, web developer, application developer, mobile app developer, games developer, systems analyst, project manager.

Further Study

Students are well positioned to progress to Master's study. A new MEng in Connected and Autonomous Vehicles is one such option at ATU Sligo.

Testimonials

Joe Dunleavy: I am from Sligo and studied computer science in ATU Sligo successfully qualifying with a Bsc. in Computing in 2002. I started my career in Microsoft in Dublin before spending some time in a tech start up at ATU Sligo. After that I moved to Letterkenny where I currently head up our disruptive technology innovation office in Pramerica. I have been with Pramerica now for 13 years and in that time I had an international rotation for 3 years with my family to the US with our parent company Prudential in 2012.
ATU Sligo was a great place to study. I made great friends there, learned critical skills to help me to have a rewarding career in technology and I had many great nights out and laughs along the way in my time there.

Alumni

Clive Foley, CTO and co-founder of Plynk.io - a money messaging app - presides over the largest private equity investment in an indigenous Irish company and his company's pending roll-out throughout Europe. Clive studied Software at ATU Sligo and teaches/guest lectures occasionally.

Programme Fees

Academic Year 2024/25 Fees
Total Programme Fee: €9,000

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

Semester 2

Semester 3

Semester 4