Course Summary
Mechatronics is the combination of mechanical, electronic, robotic and software engineering systems that are used in modern manufacturing industries. Mechatronics is how high-tech manufacturing is done today and is becoming one of the fastest growing career areas. Mechatronics engineers design, build and operate intelligent machines such as the robots and flexible manufacturing systems of today and for tomorrow. During this course students will learn how to design, build and control the machines and processes that are found in the biomedical, automotive, food processing and high volume manufacturing sectors, to name but a few. Mechatronic engineers are problem solvers by nature, looking for solutions to sometimes difficult engineering applications.
The high technology manufacturing sector is particularly singled out as being critical to our economic recovery. The National Skills Bulletin (Solas, 2018) has stated that industry is finding difficulty in filling engineering and automation roles and that there is a demand for 'sector-specific' experience, an output that work-based education is well suited to delivering.
Key Course Information
Study Hours: It is very important that you allocate enough study time to your online course to stay focused, reduce stress and achieve your goals. 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 programmes, required hours will be reflective of your experience and will require additional focus around exam time.
Live Lectures: Most online courses typically involve 3 x 5 credit modules per semester. Our online courses have about 3 hours of live lectures per week (but this can vary per programme) which 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.The rest of your study time consists of independent learning, communicating with your lecturers and classmates and carrying out assignments.
Examinations: 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
Must have a level 6 in a related area. Candidates with relevant work experience or an apprentice qualification in Electrical trades or relevant area my do a Level 6 qualifier in Automation and Instrumentation to gain entry. 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 throughwww.atu.ie/recognition-of-prior-learningwhich our dedicated RPL portal or by contacting our admissions team at admissions.sligo@atu.ie
Career Opportunities
The integrated skills developed in this mechatronics course 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 programme will have the interdisciplinary approach necessary to integrate electronics, control, software and mechanical engineering.
Further Study
Following completion of the certificate candidates may choose to complete their studies on the L7 BEng in Mechatronics degree.
Programme Fees
Academic Year 2023/24 Total Fees - €3,400
Fees listed for 2023/24 academic year. Fees may be subject to change for 2024/25 academic year.
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 |
|---|---|
| Control Systems 301 | 05 |
| Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition L7 | 05 |
| Professional Development & Employability | 05 |
Semester 2
| Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Mathematics 3 | 05 |
| Control Systems 302 | 05 |
| Advanced Automation Technology | 05 |