Common Entry Routes
It is not always easy to know exactly what area to study. It is even more difficult to decide what area to specialise in. That is why our flexible common entry programmes are so popular. Common entry allows students to understand where their true passion lies. Students cover a broad range of subjects before choosing what area to specialise in. We have common entry built into all our engineering and computing programmes, and four of our science programmes in ATU Sligo.
Engineering
We have common entry built into all our engineering programmes at Level 8, Level 7, and Level 6. This allows students the opportunity to study a variety of modules before making an informed decision of which area of engineering to specialise in. No matter which engineering programme a student enters ATU Sligo to study, they have the flexibility to switch their specialism if they wish. Therefore, the more ATU Sligo engineering programmes a student chooses on their CAO application, the more chances they will have of receiving an offer.
LEVEL 8 ENGINEERING COMMON ENTRY
Level 8 engineering students enjoy a common first year. Year 1 focuses on the fundamentals of engineering which includes engineering maths, engineering science, an introduction to engineering, CAD and much more. In Year 2, students choose one speciality from the following options:
AU941 BEng (Hons) in Robotics and Automation
AU943 BEng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering
AU944 BEng (Hons) in Civil Engineering
AU940 BEng (Hons) in Engineering
From Year 2 onwards, students explore and engage in more detailed application of the fundamentals in engineering in their chosen field. Level 8 graduates may progress to a range of Level 9 and Level 10 postgraduate programmes. More details can be found on individual programme webpages.
LEVEL 7 AND LEVEL 6 ENGINEERING COMMON ENTRY
Level 7 and Level 6 engineering students enjoy a common first semester. Semester 1 focuses on the fundamentals of engineering which includes an introduction to engineering, mechatronics, electrical, mechanical, design and much more. In Semester 2, students choose one speciality from the following options:
AU831 BEng in Mechatronic Engineering
AU833 BEng in Mechanical Engineering
AU834 BEng in Precision Engineering and Design
AU835 BEng in Civil Engineering
AU715 Higher Certificate in Engineering
From Semester 2 onwards, students explore and engage in more detailed applications of the fundamentals of engineering in their chosen field. Level 7 and Level 6 graduates may progress through the various levels of study, right up to PhD Level 10 if they wish. More details can be found on individual programme webpages.
Student Spotlight
The common entry in ATU Sligo engineering programmes gave me the opportunity to experience various types of engineering. This is very important as it can be quite hard to know exactly what area to specialise in. For me, it reinforced what area I wanted to specialise in. For others in my class, it helped them to discover areas they hadn’t fully considered and allowed them to make a much more informed decision. My favourite module in Year 1 was Introduction to Programming as this opened my mind to working with Arduino’s and the fundamentals of coding.
Computing
We have common entry built into all our computing programmes at Level 8, Level 7, and Level 6. This allows students the opportunity to study a variety of modules before making an informed decision of which area of computing to specialise in. Year 1 includes core computing modules in Programming, Web Design, Operating Systems, Mathematics, Database Management and Personal Development. At the end of Year 1, our team of lecturer’s counsel students on their specialism choices.
No matter which computing programme a student enters ATU Sligo to study, they have the flexibility to switch their specialism if they wish. Therefore, the more ATU Sligo computing programmes a student chooses on their CAO application, the more chances they will have of receiving an offer.
The following ATU Sligo computing programmes all have a common first year:
AU725 Higher Certificate in Computing
AU956 BSc (Hons) in Computer Networks and Cyber Security
AU846 BSc in Computer Networks and Cyber Security
AU957 BSc (Hons) in Software Development
AU847 BSc in Software Development
AU848 BSc in Games Development
Level 8 graduates may progress to a range of Level 9 and Level 10 postgraduate programmes. Level 7 and Level 6 graduates can also progress through the various levels of study, right up to PhD Level 10 if they wish. More details can be found on individual programme webpages.
Student Spotlight
I was unsure of which area of computing I enjoyed the most. Through the common entry in Year 1, I got to experience a wide range of modules before I made my specialism decision. I think it is very important to have a foundational understanding of all aspects of computing, no matter what area you choose to focus on. The modules in Year 1 were a blend of lectures and practicals in computer labs, with lots of in-class discussions and projects. The class sizes were small, so I got more one-to-one time with lecturers to discuss my specialism options in more detail.
Science
Our Level 8 AU965 BSc (Hons) in Science and Level 6 AU730 Higher Certificate in Science programmes give students an exceptional level of flexibility. Students build a core foundation in key science disciplines in Year 1 before choosing which area of science to specialise in from the beginning of Year 2.
Year 1 modules include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Information Technology and Learning to Learn. Students also select from a range of elective modules to help discover the various options available to them. Students are given advice throughout Year 1 to help guide their decisions.
AU965 BSc (Hons) in Science students follow one of the four specialism options below from the beginning of Year 2. Please follow the links to discover the modules on each individual programme:
AU966 BSc (Hons) in Environmental Science with Ecology
AU967 BSc (Hons) in Occupational Safety and Health
AU969 BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Science
AU968 BSc (Hons) in Pharmaceutical Science with Drug Development
AU730 Higher Certificate in Science students follow one of the four specialism options below from the beginning of Year 2. Please follow the links to discover the modules on each individual programme:
AU855 BSc in Environmental Science with Ecology
AU856 BSc in Occupational Safety and Health
AU858 BSc in Biomedical Science
AU857 BSc in Pharmaceutical Science with Drug Development
Level 8 graduates may progress to a range of Level 9 and Level 10 postgraduate programmes. Level 6 graduates may also progress through the various levels of study in their chosen specialism. More details can be found on individual programme webpages.
Student Spotlight
I chose AU965 BSc (Hons) in Science in ATU Sligo because of the choice it gave me at the end of Year 1. I knew I wanted to study something in the science field, but I wasn't quite sure of what that was exactly. This degree is perfect as it allowed me to study different aspects of science before choosing one of the four specialism options on offer. I am really enjoying this degree, especially the practical side. This is great at reinforcing the theory we learn in class. The science facilities in ATU Sligo are amazing too.
