Certificate in Aseptic Biopharmaceutical Operations (Online)

Course Summary

Programme Code: SG_SASEP_E06

Delivery: Online

NIBRT and ATUSligo have aligned to provide certificate programmes that are short, accredited programmes designed in association with industry partners. These programmes focus on upskilling students on the key competencies required for biopharmaceutical manufacturing. These part-time programmes are 
delivered via a blend of online learning with ATU Sligo, and practical modules in the NIBRT facility.

About this programme

The course is offered in a fully-online manner utilising ATU Sligo’s online delivery technologies which will minimise the amount of student time required to travel and attend at either ATU Sligo or NIBRT. There will be 2 days attendance required in NIBRT in Semester 2.

The Certificate has been developed in consultation with the Biopharmaceutical industry in Ireland to ensure the course offers the skill and experience that is required for this growing industry sector in Ireland. The course has been developed and is offered in conjunction with NIBRT (National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training) with all of the laboratory work taking place at their state-of-the-art training facilities in Dublin.

Key Course Information

Course Attendance:
Lectures will be delivered online. Students are required to attend a 2 day block at the NIBRT facility in Dublin

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. Please note, you may be required to take some time off work for the below:  
•    Exams Christmas Exams: 2 – 4 days in January each year. Summer Exams: 2 – 4 days in May each year.  
•    Workshops/Practical Classes Approximately 2 - 4 days per year depending on the course you are studying. You will receive notification of the dates from your lecturer for each specific subject requirement. 

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.

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

Course Contact:

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

Course Co-ordinator ATU Sligo:  Stephen Daly
Email: stephen.daly@atu.ie 

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

About this programme:

The course has been developed and is offered in conjunction with NIBRT (National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training) with all of the laboratory work taking place at their state-of-the-art training facilities in Dublin.

Award: Certificate in Science in Aseptic Biopharmaceutical Operations ( Special Purpose Award) - Level 6 (30 credits)

Application Closing Date : 7th January 2025

Entry Requirements

Leaving Certificate or equivalent.

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

Graduates can look forward to a wide range of further studies and career opportunities in a large and growing industry.

The Certificate in Aseptic Biopharmaceutical Operations (Special Purpose Award – Level 6) has been developed in consultation with the Biopharmaceutical industry in Ireland to ensure the course offers the skill and experience that is required for this growing industry sector in Ireland particularly in relation to sterile filling operations. 

Further Study

There are progression options for students upon completion of their Level 6 Certificate to our suite of programmes at Level 7 and 8 and  Post Graduate Studies in the future.All programmes focus on upskilling students on the key competencies required for biopharmaceutical manufacturing. These part-time programmes will be delivered via a blend of online learning with ATU Sligo, and practical modules in the NIBRT facility.

Did you know?

NIBRT and ATU Sligo have aligned to provide certificate programmes that are short, accredited programmes designed in association with industry partners. These programmes focus on upskilling students on the key competencies required for biopharmaceutical manufacturing. These part-time programmes are delivered via a blend of online learning with ATU Sligo, and practical modules in the NIBRT facility.

Programme Fees

Academic Year 2024/25 Fees

Total Programme Fee: €3,150

Funded Places Available
Successful applicants to this course may receive funding for their fees on this course through the HCI Pillar 3 Micro-Credentials Learner Fee Subsidy initiative. The number of funded places is limited and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. 
*Micro-credentials Subsidised Fee: €630
Please see here the eligibility criteria - HCI-Micro-credentials-Fee-Subsidy-Eligibility-Criteria.pdf (hea.ie)

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. 

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