Certificate in Polymer Technologies (Online)

Course Summary

Delivery: Online

Programme Code: SG_EPOLY_E06

About Polymer Technology

There is currently a shortage of polymer technicians tin the industry and this shortage has been highlighted in both the Forfas/Expert Group on Future Skills Needs report on the Future Skills Requirements of the Manufacturing Sector to 2020 and the Action Plan for Jobs 2013.

About this Programme

This one-year-long part-time programme offers a level 6 Certificate in Polymer Technology (Special Purpose Award) and is jointly delivered (primarily online) by First Polymer Training Skillnet and ATU Sligo. The Certificate in Polymer Technologies aims to ease the student into engineering education. Modules focus on computational design, mathematics, electronics & automation, and of course polymers. It might seem like a lot to embrace in only one year, but these skills will set the foundations for any engineering course the student decides to progress to in the future. 

The successful completion of this programme will allow entrants to gain the necessary technical skills to help secure employment in the plastics manufacturing, medical device industries as a technician/apprentice technician in polymer processing. The course was designed in partnership with First Polymer Training and the Technological University of Shannon (former Athlone IT), aiming to attend the needs of the Irish industry. Irish Business and Employers Confederation, through its section Polymer Technology Ireland, serves as the bridge between our academic expertise and the particular demands from the Irish industry. At the end of the course, the graduate is apt to pursue an entry level position in the polymer, automotive, medical devices and pharmaceutical industry, specifically in a manufacturing capacity.

Key Course Information

Study hours: 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.   

Live Lectures: Live lectures normally take place between 6pm and 10pm, Monday to Thursday but this may vary depending on the availability of specific lecturers. Students studying the Certificate in Polymer Technologies are expected to attend 2-4 online lectures a week that last approximately 1 hour. If the Live Classroom scheduled times for the live online lectures do not suit you, recordings will be made available through Moodle. Lectures are delivered online in the evenings. There is a requirement to attend two-days of practical lab work per semester. There is also an additional one-day attendance in Athlone (First Polymer Training) for each semester, which is mandatory.

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.

Programme co-ordinator: David Mulligan
Award: Level 6 Certificate
 

Application Closing Date : 31st August 2024

Entry Requirements

Applicants should hold an NFQ Level 5 or equivalent.  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 successful completion of this programme will allow entrants to gain the necessary technical skills to help secure employment in the plastics manufacturing, medical device industries as a technician/apprentice technician in polymer processing.

Further Study

Students who successfully complete the Level 6 in Polymer Processing can progress on to the Level 7 in Polymer Processing (Online) at ATU Sligo 

Did you know?

There is currently a shortage of polymer technicians in the industry and this shortage has been highlighted in both the Forfas/Expert Group on Future Skills Needs report on the Future Skills Requirements of the Manufacturing Sector to 2020 (http://www.skillsireland.ie/media/270213-future_skills_requirements_of_manufacturing-publication.pdf) and the Action Plan for Jobs 2013. 

This  course is designed for those returning to college, so the pace of delivery is thought out to ease you back into education. Students will receive various forms of support such as: academic writing, maths, engineering, and special learning are just some of the support centres ready to help. The successful completion of this programme will allow entrants to gain the necessary technical skills to help secure employment in the plastics manufacturing, medical device industries as a technician/apprentice technician in polymer processing. 

Programme Fees

Academic Year 2024/25 Fees

Total Programme Fee: €2,450

Students can avail of a 30% reduction on fees via your employer - Contact Catherine Collins at First Polymer Training Skillnet

Email: c.collins@firstpolymer.com

Tel: 090 647 1223

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