Course Summary
This programme has been designed in partnership with industry to meet the needs of the ‘Green Economy’, which reports have projected to be a major area of employment within the Irish economy. This broad-based level 7 degree programme emphasises the principles of construction and has a strong bias towards sustainable construction practices. It equips students with practical carpentry and joinery skills and an in-depth knowledge of sustainable building technologies and materials, including the retrofitting / refurbishment of existing dwellings to achieve a low carbon design and the construction of new low-energy buildings.
PROGRAMME OVERVIEW
ATU Sligo ensure they stay ahead of the latest advancements in construction by regular contact with industry experts. As well as getting hands-on experience, students also use the latest design software to construct real life projects in our purpose built, highly equipped workshops. The programme is delivered through a mixture of lectures and practicals.
YEAR 1
Introduction to the basic domestic building elements and construction methods including Practical Carpentry & Joinery, Site Management, Information Communication Technology, Sustainable Construction Materials and Detailing, Graphical Communication and Design.
YEAR 2
Students develop a greater understanding of domestic building elements and construction methods including, Practical Building Construction, Passive and NZEB Construction, Building Services, Health and Safety, Measurement and Management and Building Information Modelling.
YEAR 3
Students continue their in-depth study of larger scale building elements and construction methods in the final year. They include Practical Construction of Installations, Health & Safety, Project Planning, Design and Management of Facilities. Throughout the programme, real-life practical projects are used to reinforce the theory, culminating with a major practical project.
PROFESSIONAL ACCREDITATION
This programme is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), the largest construction body of its type.
CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMME BROCHURE
Take a look at our Construction Brochure which gives an overview of our construction programmes and the options students have to progress through different levels.
Entry Requirements
Entry requirements for CAO courses at ATU Sligo are available for download below:
- Download Entry requirements for just Level 7 programmes
- Download Entry requirements for all programmes
YEAR 1 ENTRY
Students should apply through the CAO for entry into Year 1 of the programme.
YEAR 2 ENTRY
If you are under 23 years, you must have a Leaving Certificate which includes Mathematics and English or equivalent, e.g., National Craft Certificate (Phase 2, 4 & 6) for entry to an ordinary Level 7 degree programme. If over 23 years since 1st January, you are also applying as a mature applicant and you will be assessed by interview on the relevance and duration of your experience, and your motivation.
If you do not meet the entry requirements of a programme BUT do have substantial relevant practical experience, then it may be possible to seek admission to the programme through ATU Sligo’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process.
Qualified carpenters are eligible for entry to Year 2 and should email admissions.sligo@atu.ie
Career Opportunities
The broad nature of the programme allows graduates to assume positions of appropriate responsibility in a cross section of specialised domains within the built environment, while also allowing them to specialise in an area of choice in further education at Level 8 honours degree.
Graduates of this programme are prepared for employment with building contracting organisations, architects, quantity surveyors and local authorities in areas such as retrofitting existing building stock, BER certification, preparation of working drawings and specifications, surveying and site setting out, building surveying, defect analysis and construction planning
To date the majority of graduates from this programme continue on to complete an honours degree and now work as building contractors, construction project managers, site supervisors, fire safety engineers, site managers and architectural technicians.
Graduates are also ideally placed to take advantage of the growing opportunities in the construction sector nationally and internationally. Our construction graduates are highly sought after as our programmes have a strong reputation within industry.
Further Study
Graduates may progress to the final year of our BSc (Hons) in Construction Project Management here at ATU Sligo AU946 BSc (Hons) in Construction Project Management and Applied Technology or take the 1 Year BSc (Hons) Construction Project Management (add-on).
On completion of the BSc (Hons) in Construction Project Management and Applied Technology or the BSc (Hons) in Construction Project Management (add-on), graduates may progress to our Level 9 MSc in Project Management.
The Progression Chart below shows how students can progress from Level 6 to Level 10 with our programmes.
Testimonials
Take a look at our BSc in Advanced Wood and Sustainable Building Technology students Capstone Project - A Passive House Design.
“I like that the degree is very practical, we get a lot of hours in the workshop. The focus is to give professional knowledge and it is good preparation for specialised work.
Alongside working with wood, we learn about building sustainability, through the use of innovative materials and efficient construction methods that ensure good quality buildings. On a global scale, this industry is changing rapidly, and this degree is so important for current market needs. There are lots of job opportunities for us as graduates which is obviously great also.”
Ana Pereira, BSc in Advanced Wood and Sustainable Building Technology
"I always enjoyed woodwork and I liked the sound of sustainable building technology. This degree combines both. It’s hands on and up to date with the latest technology and building regulations.”
Darragh Flynn, BSc in Advanced Wood and Sustainable Building Technology
Did you know?
We also offer this Programme at Level 8 - AU946 BSc (Hons) in Construction Project Management and Applied Technology and Level 6 - AU717 Higher Certificate in Applied Construction Technology
This programme has an exit award after two years which is a Level 6 Higher Certificate in Applied Construction Technology.
The programme is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), the largest construction body of its type.
ATU Sligo ensure they stay ahead of the latest advancements in construction by regular contact with industry experts.
This programme has a big emphasis on practical work. As well as getting hands-on experience, students also use the latest design software to construct real life projects in our purpose built, highly equipped workshops. Students have full use of our state-of-the-art workshops and facilities.
Students will also go on a work placement in Year 3. This is a great opportunity to put all the skills they have developed into a real world work experience.
Throughout the programme, real-life practical projects are used to reinforce the theory, culminating with a major practical project.
Student projects are presented at The Sligo Engineering & Technology Expo. The Expo is attended by a range of companies including Fortune 500 industry leaders. This allows students to network with potential employers. View the 2023 Expo Catalogue
Our staff have expertise and knowledge. Small class sizes means that students get personal mentoring from staff.
A new ATU Sligo initiative, a Female Student Network, has been established to help female students to settle into third level education and aid retention. This new peer group operates within the Civil Engineering and Construction programmes at ATU Sligo.
Read more here.
Alumni
“We undertook a vast array of interesting and practical modules. All modules that I studied have been relevant in my job since I graduated. AutoCAD, Asta Power project, Planning and Cost Control and Health and Safety have been particularly beneficial to myself as they are common areas that I use on a daily and weekly basis.”
Ciarán Blake, graduate of BSc in Advanced Wood and Sustainable Building Technology and BSc (Hons) in Construction Project Management and Applied Technology.
Junior Site Manager and Cad Technician, Grange Construction and Roofing Ltd.
Course Format
Semester 1
| Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Applied Construction Technology 1 | 10 |
| Principles of Construction | 05 |
| Graphical Communication & CAD 1 | 05 |
| Surveying 1 | 05 |
| Interpersonal Transferable Skills | 05 |
Semester 2
| Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Applied Construction Technology 2 | 10 |
| Domestic Construction Technology | 05 |
| Graphical Communication & CAD 2 | 05 |
| Surveying 2 | 05 |
| Information & Communication Technology | 05 |
Semester 3
Semester 4
| Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Applied Construction Technology with Advanced Manufacturing 2 | 10 |
| M and E Construction Technology | 05 |
| ICT for Construction | 05 |
| BIM Advanced | 05 |
| Health and Safety Management 1 | 05 |
Semester 5
| Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Applied Construction Management 1 | 10 |
| Industrial Buildings - Construction Technology | 05 |
| Building Analysis and Adaptation | 05 |
| Health and Safety Management 2 | 05 |
| BIM MEP | 05 |
Semester 6
| Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Applied Construction Management 2 | 05 |
| Commercial Buildings - Construction Technology | 05 |
| Construction Planning and Management | 05 |
| BIM Collaboration | 05 |
| Work Placement | 10 |