Bachelor of Science in Property Services and Facilities Management (Online)

Course Summary

The Level 7 B.Sc. in Property Services and Facilities Management is a degree programme offered via on-line distance learning over a period of 2 years part time. The programme which has been developed in partnership with and is fully accredited by the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) is specifically designed to enable industry professionals including; Estate Agents, Property Managers, Facilities Managers / Co-Ordinator’s, Maintenance Supervisors, or other qualified level 6 property and facilities industry professionals gain a level 7 qualification. 

The programme prepares graduates to assume technical and management level positions within the property and facilities management industry.

Key Course Information

The course is delivered over two years. The course consists of twelve subject modules – three per semester and learners may take as few modules as they wish and complete the programme over a number of years to suit their own circumstances.

Qualified and experienced Property Services and Facilities Management professionals will teach the various modules which are summarised on the following pages.

Programme Attendance Requirements

Classes - students remotely attend live online classes, including software tutorials. Should a student miss a live class they can view the recording whenever it suits them. Software is available for the duration of the course via remote access to our on-campus PCs or students may choose to download free student licences directly to their home PC/laptop. On average students will study three taught modules per semester. Typically there will be three live lectures per week - each live lecture lasts for  approximately 1 hour. In addition to attending the lectures students will be required to undertake self study (3-5hrs per week per module). Live lectures will be delivered on Monday - Thursday evenings after 6pm. 

Exams - students who reside outside the island of Ireland at the time of their exams have the choice to sit an exam remotely using ATU Sligo’s online invigilator service (proctoring) - therefore, there is no requirement to travel to Ireland for examinations. Students that reside in Ireland at the time of examinations will be required to sit their exams in an exam centre.

Application Closing Date : 16th August 2024

Entry Requirements

Applicants must have as a minimum a National Framework of Qualifications level 6 Higher Cert in a related field or equivalent.  

For candidates without level 6 qualifications, a process of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can be undertaken to assess the candidates’ suitability to the course. 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

In recent years there has been a major emphasis on green buildings, energy efficiency management, sustainable building, and management. As such there are now synergies between Property Services in particular Agency, Valuations and Management, and Facilities Management and Building Services. Life cycle costings and energy management are now crucial for clients, due to climate change and environmental targets for companies.

Graduates of the programme will typically be involved in facility management, property management (residential / commercial / retail), service providers to industry (pharmaceutical / tech) or public sector employees involved in hospital / OPW / local authorities / social housing / education facilities etc.

Further Study

This programme has been developed in parallel with two new related Level 8 programmes. It is a natural progression for students who have completed ATU Sligo's Level 6 Certificate in Property Services and Facilities Management and provides students with the academic foundation required and a progression pathway to undertake the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Facilities and Building Services Management (Online) or the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Real Estate Development and Valuation (Online).

Testimonials

An important partner in the development of ATU Sligo's suite of Property Services and Facilities Management programmes has been the SCSI. James Lonergan, Director of Education at SCSI commented on their accreditation, “The Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland is delighted to see the launch of these courses through our partnership with ATU Sligo.  The availability of these online courses in Real Estate Development and Valuation and in Facilities Management (FM) provides a unique, flexible, accessible opportunity for students who wish to upskill on a part time basis”.  

James went on to say “As the courses are all delivered online, they will help to address a significant skills gap in the industry by providing access to education to prospective students nationwide.  The level 8 FM course is the first SCSI accredited FM course in Ireland while the Real Estate courses will broaden education options and opportunities for learners.  Those who complete either of these level 8 degree courses will be eligible to apply for Chartered Membership of the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland, which is a vital step in the career path for Property and FM professionals.” 

Did you know?

What is property services?

Property Services is Auctioneering, Estate Agency, Property Management, Property Valuations, and Planning for all types of property such as residential housing, apartment blocks, commercial such as retail, offices, industrial, development land, hotels and other trading assets.

What is Facilities Management?

Facilities Management (FM) deals with both the Hard and Soft FM. Asset Management, Property Maintenance and Facility Management. A Facilities Manager deals with Life cycle costings and maintenance, energy management, the introduction and management of renewable technologies, risk and cost management, management of legal requirements, health and safety of buildings (fire safety etc), budgeting and future planning. Lastly, a Facilities Manager with deal with external contract management.

Accreditation

This programme is fully accredited by the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) which has direct links with the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Once chartered with the SCSI, graduates will be enabled to work anywhere in the world.  

Programme Fees

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. 

Course Format

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3

Semester 4