Postgraduate Certificate in Commissioning, Qualification and Validation for Biologics Manufacturing (CQV) (Online)

Course Summary

Programme Code: SG_SBCQV_E09

Delivery: Online 

About this programme:

An objective of this new postgraduate certificate programme in CQV is to help support new facilities and extensions with commissioning, qualification and validation work before manufacturing can commence. This programme presents a pathway for qualified graduates who wish to pursue a career in validation. 

This postgraduate certificate is designed to provide students with the knowledge required to be involved in the commissioning of equipment and utilities used in biopharmaceutical plants. It will equip students with the knowledge and skills required to perform commissioning of a bioprocessing plant, and the equipment related to the biotechnology industry. 

This course is particularly suited to individuals who are looking to enter the commissioning and validation space in the (bio)pharmaceutical manufacturing sector. Biopharmaceutical processing is a rapidly growing sector within the life-sciences industry, with immense opportunities for graduates. Global manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals has increased significantly over the last decade. 

This programme will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges in the commissioning of biopharmaceutical manufacturing facilities. As a result, graduates can look forward to a wide range of career opportunities in a large and growing industry. Upon completion of the programme students will have achieved an internationally recognised qualification which is highly relevant to the biopharma and biotechnology industry. 

Award:

Certificate in Science in Commissioning, Qualification and Validation for Biologics Manufacturing – Level 9 (30 credits)

Key Course Information

Course Attendance:

Lectures will be delivered online

Students study 15 credits per semester. Students are required to complete a total of 30 credits for the full award.

Please note: This programme is jointly offered by ATU Sligo and NIBRT (National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training).

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. For part-time online or blended learning, it is recommended that you should try to allow for 5-6 hours per week per 5 credit module to your studies.  

Most online courses typically involve 3 x 5 credit modules per semester which leads to an average 15 – 18 study hours per week. Our online courses have about 3 hours of live lectures per week (but this can vary per programme). The rest of your study time consists of independent learning, communicating with your lecturers and classmates and carrying out assignments. 

Live lectures normally take place between 6pm and 10pm, Monday to Thursday but this may vary depending on the availability of specific lecturers. If the Live Classroom scheduled times for the live online lectures do not suit you, recordings will be made available through Moodle. 

For this Programme- Assessment is 100% CA (Continuous Assessment).

Contact details:

Course Co-ordinator NIBRT: Melissa Hoare
Email: melissa.hoare@nibrt.ie

Course Co-ordinator ATU Sligo:  Mary Butler
Email: mary.butler@atu.ie 
 

Online and Part time Admissions
tel: 071 9318511
email: admissions.sligo@atu.ie

Award:

Certificate in Science in Commissioning, Qualification and Validation for Biologics Manufacturing – Level 9 (30 credits)

Application Closing Date : 15th August 2025

Entry Requirements

The programme is open to students who have obtained an honours degree (Level 8) or its equivalent in an appropriate discipline (i.e. Engineering or Life Sciences). Other candidates with alternative honours degrees and relevant experience in the BioProcessing industry (typically 5 years duration in a GMP environment) may apply for consideration through the ATU Sligo RPL (Recognised Prior Learning) process.

RPL
Applicants with other qualifications and with relevant work experience may also be considered through ATU Sligo’s Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) process. RPL is a process that may allow you to gain admission to a programme or to receive exemptions / credit from some parts of a programme based on demonstrated learning that you may have achieved through another programme of study or through your work and career. Further information is available through www.atu.ie/recognition-of-prior-learning which our dedicated RPL portal or by contacting our admissions team at admissions.sligo@atu.ie 

English requirement
Applicants whose first language is not English should provide evidence of English language proficiency. For further information on English language requirements click here

Career Opportunities

This course is particularly suited to individuals who are looking to enter the commissioning and validation space in the (bio)pharmaceutical manufacturing sector. An objective of this postgraduate certificate programme in CQV is to help support new facilities and extensions with commissioning, qualification and validation work before manufacturing can commence. The focus will be on facilities and equipment.

Further Study

Upon successful completion of this programme students can progress onto the L9 BioPharmaceutical Science suite of programmes.It is also envisaged that this programme will provide an attractive progression pathway for Level 8 graduates who wish to undertake Level 9 studies with an interest in employment in the biologics industry.

Testimonials

Fintan Heffernan, graduate our Postgraduate Certificate in Commissioning, Qualification and Validation for Biologics Manufacturing (CQV) (Online).

Fintan transitioned from working in the food industry to a career in biopharma after studying a level 9 Cert in Commissioning Qualification and Validation with ATU Sligo in partnership with NIBRT. This postgraduate certificate is designed to provide students with the necessary knowledge for engaging in the commissioning of equipment and utilities used in biopharmaceutical plants.

The programme aims to empower students with the knowledge and skills essential for the commissioning of both a bioprocessing plant and the equipment associated with the biotechnology industry.

What course did you do?
‘’I completed the level 9 Cert in CQV with ATU Sligo in partnership with NIBRT. The course was structured as a part-time online programme which made it convenient for me to strike a balance between my studies and personal commitments’’

What motivated you to choose this course?
‘’I was interested in entering the biopharmaceutical industry because I am aware that the sector has a reputation for innovative and operational excellence. I had extensive experience in the food industry and felt that while there were many transferable skills, taking a course would be the best approach for me to break into the industry’’.

What was your experience of studying at ATU Sligo and NIBRT?
‘’My experience with ATU Sligo and NIBRT could be described only as stellar. My lecturers were approachable, knowledgeable and understanding, the course owners were communicative and active in assisting me and others if necessary and the standard of education provided was second to none’’.

How has the course helped with your career plans?
‘’Since my completion of the course, I am very pleased to say that I have secured employment in the industry with Regeneron
in Limerick. The role is Associate Biotech Manufacturing Specialist, is onsite in their facility in Raheen and is a full-time position’’.

Would You Recommend this Course?
‘’I would thoroughly recommend this course to anyone seeking to break into the biopharmaceutical industry. I had no
experience other than an Honours degree in Food Science and my academic experience with this course helped me to secure
employment within my chosen field and the course content was highly relevant to my employment within the industry which clearly demonstrates the efficacy of the course’’.

Did you know?

The importance of biopharmaceuticals as a portion of total pharmaceutical revenue continues to expand, with ≥40% of overall pharmaceutical industry R&D and products in the development pipeline being biopharmaceuticals. Nonetheless, significant challenges remain in the sector such as the fundamental complexity of bringing new therapeutics to market, reimbursement and pricing models, Brexit uncertainties and global skills shortages. Notwithstanding these challenges, the Irish biopharma sector has continued its strong performance in attracting foreign direct investment. As validation of the capabilities available in Ireland, companies with existing operations here such as MSD, BioMarin and AbbVie have all made significant new biopharma investments. 

Programme Fees

Academic Year 2024/25 Fees
Total Programme Fee: €6,000

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