Certificate in Engineering in Road Engineering and Design

Course Summary

ATU Sligo developed this blended on-line part time programme in collaboration with the Local Authority Services National Training Group (LASNTG) and the Department of Transport. It is designed to provide applied and advanced learning and skills for engineers working in the roads services sector, in both public bodies and private companies.  

The main aim to provide a Minor Award at Level 9 for learners who wish to complete specific learning relating to the engineering and design of public road and transportation schemes, facilities, and networks.

This programme is designed to facilitate Civil Engineering professionals working or intending to work in the road and land transport engineering and design sector to develop appropriate analytical, design and project management skills.

Successful completion of this part-time on-line postgraduate Certificate programme allows for the transfer of learners to the Postgraduate Diploma or MEng in Road and Transport Engineering, whereby the remaining Stage 1 taught modules and Research methods are taken by students to for the major award of a Postgraduate Diploma and, additionally, a Research Dissertation can be completed to attain the Master of Engineering award.

This programme consists of a blend of on-line theory lectures and group practical/project and workshop/guest lecture sessions designed to meet the academic and professional development requirements of local authority road services engineers and other engineers in the road and transport sector. Subject matter experts contribute to the delivery of the module and programme learning outcomes, so that the programme is current, relevant and a reflection of best practice for engineers in the road and bridge engineering area.

The Certificate consists of a part-time on-line blended learning single stage (year) programme, consisting of Semester 1 and 2, where the theme is road engineering and design. 

Key Course Information

Note: Each module is equivalent to 5 ECTS credits. Modules are grouped into two semesters (Semester 1 and 2).

There is a requirement to attend one/two full day on-campus workshops per semester with the number of workshops depending on the module requirements. For Examinations, students may have to attend at the ATU campus through which they completed their studies. For some programmes it may be possible for the Exam to be taken remotely via online proctoring. ATU Students resident in the Republic of Ireland will be invited to attend exams at an exam centre located in Ireland. Students’ resident outside of Ireland or with exceptional circumstances may be eligible to attend remotely via online proctoring, where examinations are taken online and supervised virtually, subject to availability.

Application Closing Date : 15th August 2025

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirements are a pass in a BEng Honours degree (Level 8) in Civil Engineering or a related discipline or equivalent. 

Applicants without the standard academic qualification and with significant 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

Career Opportunities

The programme provides access routes for a student intake from a specific cohort of Civil Engineering graduates predominately from the public roads services sector and offers clear routes of progression through education.
This includes a specialised, relevant programme offering, differentiated through flexible modes of delivery, which promotes lifelong learning by practitioners within the road and transport industry.
This programme is industry and professionally relevant, and delivers the generic skills necessary for effective engagement in society. The programme was developed in conjunction with industry partners to ensure the curriculum remains focused on required knowledge, skills and competencies of engineers in the public roads services sector.

Further Study

The programme provides access by successful learners by transfer to one of our current major awards, PG Diploma or Masters in Engineering in Road and Transport Engineering at ATU Sligo, to which this programme provides exemption for six modules (30 ECTS) for both postgraduate programmes,

Programme Fees

Academic Year 2024/25 Fees

Total Programme Fee: €4,500

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

Semester 2