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 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 where she is now studying a BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy.
Dearbhla Neenan Student Story Dearbhla studied our Level 6 Higher Certificate before moving to the University of Cardiff where she is now studying 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
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 Public Health Nutrition
MSc in Sports and Exercise Nutrition

PE Teaching
We have two Sport with Business degrees in ATU Sligo. The Level 7 degree offers a pathway to PE Teaching. More information on how this works is explained in the next paragraph.
AU804 BBs in Applied Sport with Business
AU903 BBs (Hons) in Sport with Business
Students wishing to pursue PE teaching need to study our three-year Level 7 Applied Sport with Business degree before completing a one year add-on in our Level 8 Sport with Business degree. Students can then apply for a Professional Master of Education (PME) in PE Teaching at the University of Limerick. Students also pursue PGCE studies in Northern Ireland and the UK. Graduates have been successful in gaining places in various universities throughout Northern Ireland and the UK.
Our degrees have several embedded coaching awards and students undertake work placement throughout their studies. This helps them build a strong application for 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:
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 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)