Alternative Pathways

There is never just one way to accomplish your career goals. Here at ATU Sligo, we want to help each student achieve these goals. If you dream of a career in a certain profession, there may be alternative routes you are not aware of. We have listed some of the most common pathways we are asked about on this page. If you would like any further information, please contact cao.sligo@nullatu.ie

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Allied Health Professions

We have three Health Science programmes in ATU Sligo:

AU732 Higher Certificate in Health and Exercise Science

AU861 BSc in Health Science and Physiology

AU971 BSc (Hons) in Health Science and Physical Activity

These offer pathways into the areas such as Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech & Language Therapy and Diagnostic Imaging/Radiography. Students generally choose one of two paths – exit from our Level 6 or Level 7 programme and pursue undergraduate studies in their preferred Allied Health Profession OR complete our Level 8 honours degree and pursue Masters studies in their preferred Allied Health Profession.

Our Level 6 Higher Certificate in Health and Exercise Science has been developed because we know that students are looking for an alternative route into the Allied Health Professions. After completion of this Higher Certificate, undergraduates are eligible to transfer to Irish, UK, Dutch and Belgian Universities. The most common progression route colleges from ATU Sligo are University of Salford, Ulster University, Robert Gordon University, Northumbria University, Glasgow Caledonian and University of Derby.

A huge benefit of our Health Science programmes is that they all contain exit and progression options. If a student has a change of mind and in hindsight decides that they want to pursue Health Promotion/Public Health or a more tailored Physical Activity degree, they can continue their studies with ATU Sligo. Additionally, the opportunity to change mind mid-stream is a huge benefit to undertaking our Level 6 and 7 programmes. For example, we have seen students who were positive that they wanted to study Physiotherapy change to Occupational Therapy or Diagnostic Imaging after experiencing different module strands in the programme, or vice versa. This situation occurs each year, and it is extremely important to allow this flexibility.

Our Level 7 and 8 programmes also come with Professional Accreditation from the International Union for Health Promotion (IUHPE) and REPS Ireland, where students can graduate with embedded awards as a fitness instructor, personal trainer and exercise for health specialist.

We also offer Masters studies in this area for any students wishing to progress their studies at ATU Sligo:

MSc in Health Promotion

MSc in Public Health Nutrition

MSc in Sports and Exercise Nutrition

Below are some student stories from recent graduates who have taken this route to the Allied Health Professions:

Megan Creegan Student Story Megan studied our Level 6 Higher Certificate before progressing to the University of Salford to complete a BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy. Megan now works as a Physiotherapist with the HSE.

Dearbhla Neenan Student Story Dearbhla studied our Level 6 Higher Certificate before moving to the University of Cardiff to study a BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy.

Niall Carr Student Story Niall studied our Level 8 BSc (Hons) in Health and Physical activity and progressed to study a Masters in Diagnostic Radiography in University College Cork. Niall is now employed as a Radiographer in Sligo University Hospital.

Laura Dunlevy Student Story Laura studied our Level 8 BSc (Hons) in Health Science and Physical Activity and is now studying a Masters in Physiotherapy in University College Cork.

Dietetics

We have two Human Nutrition degrees in ATU Sligo:

AU972 BSc (Hons) in Human Nutrition

AU862 BSc in Human Nutrition

Our students have been very successful in gaining entry to Dietetics Masters from our honours degree. For example, several of our graduates are currently studying the MSc in Human Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Limerick. Students have also been successful in gaining places on Dietetics Masters in other universities across Ireland and the UK. Our Level 8 degree is also accredited by the Association for Nutrition. Please note that Level 7 graduates can complete a one year add-on to obtain their honours degree in Human Nutrition.

Below are some student stories from recent graduates who have progressed to a Masters in Dietetics:

Aisling Lee Student Story Aisling studied our BSc (Hons) in Human Nutrition before completing the MSc in Human Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Limerick.

Angela Kosko Student Story Angela graduated from our BSc (Hons) in Human Nutrition degree in 2022 and started the MSc in Human Nutrition and Dietetics in the University of Limerick in September of the same year.

Niamh O’Callaghan Student Story Not Dietetics related, but Niamh’s story is one most definitely worth sharing. Niamh obtained a place on the Irish Research Council Government of Ireland research programme. Niamh undertook her Masters by Research titled Investigating Nutrition Related Life of Irish Cancer Survivors here in ATU Sligo.

We also offer Masters studies in this area for any students wishing to progress their studies at ATU Sligo:

MSc in Health Promotion

MSc in Public Health Nutrition

MSc in Sports and Exercise Nutrition

 

PE Teaching

We have a Level 7 Applied Sport with Business degree and a Level 8 Sport with Business degree in ATU Sligo. Both degrees offer a pathway to PE Teaching. More information on how this works is explained below. 

AU804 BBs in Applied Sport with Business

AU903 BBs (Hons) in Sport with Business

1. Level 7 Applied Sport with Business: Students who complete this three-year degree before going to complete our one-year Add-on in Level 8 Sport with Business degree. This pathway, which is four years total in ATU Sligo, has the requisite core and optional subject modules that align with the Teaching Council of Ireland’s requirements for the teaching of PE and Business. Students can then apply for admission to the Professional Master of Education (PME) in PE Teaching at the University of Limerick. Students can also pursue PGCE studies in Northern Ireland and the UK. Our graduates have successfully completed the PME at the University of Limerick and various universities throughout Northern Ireland and the UK. 

2. Level 8 Sport with Business: Students who complete this three-year degree, can apply to a Professional Master of Education (PME) or a PGCE. However, students may be required to complete two additional modules for teaching PE i.e. gymnastics and athletics. We have had several students choosing this pathway to become a PE Teacher. Students who follow this route can complete the missing modules as standalone modules at a later date, as per the Teaching Council of Ireland’s requirements. 

Our degrees also have several embedded coaching awards and students undertake work placement during their studies. This helps them build a strong resumé and application for their postgraduate studies in Physical Education Teaching. 

Below are some student stories from recent graduates who have taken this route to becoming a Physical Education Teacher: 

Aoife Gannon Student Story

Michael Patton Student Story

Dónal Ó Loideáin Student Story

Primary School Teaching

AU919 BEd (Hons) in Early Education and Care has pathways to Primary School Teaching. Every year, many of our students progress to further study in Primary Education. Some study a Professional Master of Education (PME) in Ireland, whilst others continue to PGCE studies in the UK. Of course, students would still need a H4 or equivalent in Irish to teach in the Republic of Ireland if returning from studying a PGCE in the UK.

We recently revamped our Early Education programme from a Bachelor of Arts to a Bachelor of Education (Hons) in Early Education and Care. ATU Sligo are now one of only three HEI’s in Ireland offering a Bachelor of Education in this area. For more information on the exciting changes to this programme, please use the link in the paragraph above to visit the programme webpage

Psychology

AU917 BA (Hons) in English and Psychology is a three year honours degree which has pathways for students to progress their studies into Psychology. Upon completion of our degree, students may progress to a Psychology Conversion Course. Graduation from a Psychology Conversion Course will then allow students to pursue further study in various specialism areas within this discipline. There are several Psychology Conversion Courses which range from one to two years to complete.

Our graduates have progressed to universities such as Queens University Belfast and University of Galway for these conversion courses. Students may be interested in reading Natalia Wazynska’s Student Story. Natalia progressed to, and completed, an MSc in Psychological Science at Queens University Belfast. This conversion course took one year to complete.

Journalism

We have two Writing and Literature degrees in ATU Sligo which offer pathways to Journalism:

AU929 BA (Hons) in Writing and Literature

AU930 BA (Hons) in Writing and Literature (Online)

Students interested in pursuing a career in Journalism must complete our three-year honours degree before completing an MA in Journalism. This is a route than recent graduate Seoirse Mulgrew has taken. Seoirse is now a journalist with the Irish Independent. You can read Seoirse’s story here – Seoirse Mulgrew Student Story

Teacher Training

Many of our Level 8 honours degrees are mapped to the Teaching Council of Ireland’s subject requirements to teach various subjects at Secondary School level. Students complete their Level 8 honours degree in ATU Sligo before pursuing a Professional Master of Education (PME). Below are the options available. Please email cao.sligo@nullatu.ie if there are other subjects you wish to ask about possible progression routes to.

AU906 BA (Hons) in Business and Irish   –   Business and Irish

AU901 BBs (Hons) in Business and ICT   –   Business and Computer Science

AU916 BA (Hons) in Sociology and Politics   –   CSPE, SPHE and Politics

AU804 BBs in Applied Sport with Business  –  PE and Business Teaching

AU903 BBs (Hons) in Sport with Business  –  PE and Business Teaching

AU919 BEd (Hons) in Early Education and Care  –  Primary School Teaching

AU917 BA (Hons) in English and Psychology   –   English

AU902 BA (Hons) in Accounting   –   Accounting (to LC Level) and Business (to JC Level)

AU900 Bachelor of Business (Hons)   –   Business

AU904 BBs (Hons) in Marketing   –   Business

AU905 BBs (Hons) in Tourism and Event Management   –   Business

AU928 BA (Hons) in Fine Art   –   Art

AU929 BA (Hons) in Writing and Literature   –   English

AU946 BSc (Hons) in Construction Project Management and Applied Technology   –   Construction Studies and DCG

AU970 BSc (Hons) in Forensic Investigation and Analysis   –   Chemistry (to LC Level) and Science (to JC Level)