Course Summary
The Level 6 Certificate in Validation Technologies is to enable students who are work-based to acquire key skills in the area of validation. The programme is applicable to students working in many different sectors such as pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, medical device, food, and engineering. This programme will prepare students to undertake different validation roles such as validation technician and will equip the student to complete many validation activities within their organisation. The impetus for the development of this programme has emerged from industry needs and the course content has been designed to meet this industry need.
In general, students of this course usually work in Production, Quality, Engineering, Technician roles in Manufacturing, Pharma, Biopharma, Med-tech, and Medical Device sectors. They should have a keen interest in quality, regulations, and validation. The type of roles that would be suitable for upskilling through this role are Validation Technicians or Engineers.
The programme has also been approved by Skillnet Ireland for a fees subsidy of 20% for students whose company is a member of the Skillnet Ireland network. Please note there are only a limited number of subsidies available and offers will be made on a first come, first served basis. Please visit www.skillnetireland.ie for further information.
Important Note:
This programme is worth 30 credits at Level 6. If you wish to progress to a Level 7 Degree programme on completion, you will require 120 further credits at Level 6. ATU Sligo may allow up to 60 credits for relevant work experience. The remaining credits must be made up from academic qualifications.
There is an option to complete this programme in addition to a 30-credit work-based project (over 1 year) to gain 60 credits in one year. You can apply for this project here.
For further information, please contact:
Admissions Office
T: 353 (0) 71 931 8510
E: admissions.sligo@atu.ie
Key Course Information
The Level 6 Certificate in Validation Technologies is delivered online over two semesters with 15 credits being completed in each semester. In semester 1, students will complete 2 modules and in semester 2, there are a further 3 modules.
Live lectures for this course normally take place on two or three evenings per week and each lecture will last for approximately 1 hour. If the Live Classroom scheduled times for the live online lectures do not suit you, recordings will be made available through Moodle (our virtual learning environment), and you can watch back.
Study Hours: Whether you are studying part-time online, blended or full-time online, it is very important that you allocate enough study time to your online course to stay focused, reduce stress and achieve your goals. For part-time online or blended learning, it is recommended that you should try to allow for 5-6 hours per week per 5 credit module to your studies. As well as live lecturers, you must allocate time for independent learning, communicating with your lecturers and classmates and carrying out assignments. Other resources will also be made available to students via moodle.
Assignments/Examinations: Assessment will be a combination of online quizzes, essays and mini projects and all modules will have an end of semester exam. For Examinations, students may have to attend at the ATU campus through which they completed their studies. For some programmes it may be possible for the Exam to be taken remotely via online proctoring. ATU Students resident in the Republic of Ireland will be invited to attend exams at an exam centre located in Ireland. Students resident outside of Ireland or with exceptional circumstances may be eligible to attend remotely via online proctoring, where examinations are taken online and supervised virtually, subject to availability.
Workshops: There is a requirement for students to attend a 1-day practical/workshop in semester 2.
Application Closing Date : 18th August 2023
Entry Requirements
To qualify for entry to this Special Purpose Award a standard applicant must achieve a pass in the leaving certificate (or equivalent examinations) with five grade D's which must include Mathematics and English or Irish. An E in Higher Level Mathematics is also acceptable, as is a B2 or higher in Foundation Mathematics.
Career Opportunities
There will be a progression pathways for those students who successfully complete this Special Purpose Award in Validation Technologies and who wish to continue on to complete a degree in Quality, Manufacturing Management, or various Life Sciences at ATU Sligo. Students will be required to meet the eligibility criteria to enter the full degree programme and are assessed on an individual basis.
Programme Fees
| Academic Year 2023/24 Fees |
|
|
Total Programme Fees: |
€2,100 |
|
Fees per annum: |
€2,100 |
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
| Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| GMP 1 AND QUALITY ASSURANCE | 10 |
| Validation Principles | 05 |
Semester 2
| Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Metrology and Calibration | 05 |
| Validation applications | 05 |
| Introduction to Regulatory Affairs | 05 |