Course Summary
The Certificate in Engineering in Geotechnical and Structural Engineering is a part-time online Level 9 Certificate that provides postgraduate training for Level 8 degree qualified professional and graduate Civil Engineers who require up-skilling in the areas of Geotechnical and Structural Engineering. The programme is also attractive to experienced Civil Engineers who are seeking to move from a different area of expertise into the Geotechnical and Structural Engineering domains.
Graduates of the programme can work as design or site engineers in the areas of Geotechnical and Structural Engineering at a level of responsibility appropriate to the increasingly complex and technical roles currently required by industry.
The programme is delivered part-time online over one academic year (September to May). The programme consists of two semesters, with three modules/semester. The students will have weekly live lectures of 2hours/module. Lectures typically take place in the evening after 6pm. Campus based workshops take place twice per semester at ATU Sligo. The workshops are an opportunity to meet classmates and to undertake project work together.
The modules on the programme examine key aspects of Geotechnical Engineering and Structural Engineering. A particular focus of the taught modules is on soil – structure interaction and the use of numerical methods in Geotechnical and Structural Engineering.
Semester 1 Modules (September - December):
- Geotechnical Engineering I
- Design of Building Structures
- Soil - Structure Interaction
Semester 2 modules (January - May)
- Geotechnical Engineering II
- Design of Bridge Structure
- Research Methods
The modules all have industry relevant project work to improve the student's knowledge of topics. Remote access to geotechnical & structural software is also provided through virtual computers. Access is available 24/7 from anywhere in the world.
On completion of the programme the student will be awarded a Level 9 Certificate in Engineering in Geotechnical and Structural Engineering. They will then be eligible to progress to the thesis component of the part-time online MEng in Geotechnical/Structural Engineering Joint Programme at ATU Sligo.
The proposed programme is unique in so far as:
- IT Sligo would be the only Higher Educational Institute in the country offering an online Certificate in Geotechnical & Structural Engineering,
- The Certificate is a pathway for students to progress to complete The MEng in Geotechnical/Structural Engineering Joint Programme at ATU Sligo.
Key Course Information
Application Closing Date : 15th August 2025
Entry Requirements
The minimum entry requirements are a second class honours (2.2) award in a professionally accredited (Engineers Ireland Chartered Engineer with further learning or equivalent) Honours degree (Level 8) in Civil or Structural Engineering.
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.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the programme work as design and site engineers in the area of Geotechnical and Structural Engineering at a level of responsibility appropriate to the increasingly complex and technical roles currently required by industry.
Further Study
Graduates, with a pass grade in this programme may progress to the thesis module on the part-time online MEng in Geotechnical/Structural Engineering Joint Programme at ATU Sligo.
Programme Fees
Academic Year 2024/25 Fees
Total Programme Fee: €3,000
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
| Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Geotechnical Engineering I | 05 |
| Soil - Structure Interaction | 05 |
| Design of Building Structures | 05 |
Semester 2
| Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Geotechnical Engineering II | 05 |
| Research Methods | 05 |
| Design of Bridge Structures | 05 |