Course Summary
This Special Purpose Award: Work Based Project, is a 30-credit module delivered 100% online over one academic year i.e., 2 semesters. It is strongly recommended that a project be chosen by the student in consultation with his/her company that will achieve the module learning outcomes for the student but also will be of added value for the company.
The objective of this 30 credit Level 6 ‘Work Based Project’ is to enable students who are work-based to acquire project management skills by undertaking a company-based project in a chosen area within their organisation. Through completion of a specific workplace project the student will develop a range of technical and transferable skills (such as project management, teamwork, oral and written communication and presentation skills), which have wide application in many working environments, and are important attributes of a technical professional.
The project to be undertaken by the student should address a substantive issue in the workplace. The project will test the student's ability to define a real-life problem of concern to the company, design a strategy for addressing the problem, gather data, formulate and evaluate options and make recommendations.
The student should bring the learning from other modules covered on any other ongoing course or from their own work experience to bear upon the successful completion of the project.
An ATU Sligo project supervisor/mentor will be assigned to each project. The mentor will act as a guide in agreeing the relevance, and scope of the project, and monitor the progress on a regular basis. Online learning tools and technologies will be utilised to facilitate the supervision and assessment of the work-based learning project by the academic supervisor.
The following are the learning outcomes to be achieved through completion of the work-based learning project:
• Work independently on a research project.
• Source literature relevant to the project.
• Plan and organise activities within a limited timeframe.
• Interpret and evaluate research findings.
• Present a report on the research findings.
Key Course Information
This Special Purpose Award: Work Based Project, is a 30-credit module delivered 100% online over one academic year i.e., 2 semesters (no on-campus attendance is required).
Live Lectures: There will be approximately 6-8 live classes in total and each live class will be approximately 1 hour. Information will be communicated at the start of the semester when these live classes will take place and note attendance is NOT mandatory and all sessions will recorded. Clear information and supporting documentation will be posted through the Programme moodle page.
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. For online learning, it is recommended that you should try to allow for 5-6 hours per week per 5 credit module to your studies. As well as live lecturers, you must allocate time for independent learning, communicating with your lecturers and classmates and carrying out assignments.
Students will be assigned an Academic Supervisor for their work project whom they will need to have at least 2 meetings with. Students will need to identify and agree a work mentor who can also support their project. Guidance on the same will be given.
Application Closing Date : 15th August 2025
Entry Requirements
To qualify for entry to this Special Purpose Award a standard applicant must achieve a pass in the leaving certificate (or equivalent examinations) with five grade Ds which must include Mathematics and English or Irish. An E in Higher Level Mathematics is also acceptable, as is a B2 or higher in Foundation Mathematics.
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
There will be progression pathways for those students who successfully complete this Special Purpose Award and who wish to continue on to undertake a degree in Quality or Manufacturing Management or other relevant online programmes at ATU Sligo. Students who meet the eligibility criteria to enter the full degree programme can therefore upgrade their skills in specific areas while still earning credits towards a final degree award.
Also, the project management skills acquired through the successful completion of this programme are in demand throughout many industries such as Medical Technology, Food and Beverage, Engineering Manufacturing, Pharma/Biopharma etc.
Programme Fees
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Academic Year 2023/24 Fees |
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Total Programme Fees: |
€1,500 |
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Fees per annum: |
€1,500 |
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.