What to Expect
The Higher Certificate course is designed to provide a mix of on-campus engineering and technology skills development and on-the-job, work-based learning for company employees.
Each year is run over three semesters. Each semester is 13 weeks duration, followed by an exam week.
Semester 1 (Sep–Dec) and Semester 2 (Jan–May) includes synchronous online delivery on Tuesdays and Thursdays (16.00–19:00) and Fridays in GMIT Galway campus (09.00–17.30).
Semester 3 is the Industry Module which takes place from May to August. This consists of custom industry training and the Industry Project / Work Placement. During Semester 3, students attend two weeks of hands-on instruction by automation technology vendors in a dedicated Automation Training Centre.
Employee/Employer Commitment
Students will undertake 60 credits per year, which is a full-time academic load. Their employer should commit to reduce their professional workload by a minimum of 12 hr/ week during the academic year to accommodate study time and a minimum of 4 hr for the rest of the year to work on their project. Employers should also allocate a mentor and some technical support to the student for the Industry module.
Programme Structure
The programme is designed with flexible entry and exit points:
• Students can obtain a Level 6 Higher Certificate after two years
• Students can obtain a Level 7 degree after three years
• It is planned to develop a Level 8 Honours degree, subject to demand
Entry Requirements and Access Routes
Applications are made online directly to the Institute. The main cohort of students will come from local manufacturing industries. They will attend the course while maintaining their full-time employment. The students from industry may start in Year 1, or they may avail of advanced entry depending on their background and qualifications. It is expected that students with a cognate QQI HETAC Level 6 (e.g. Technicians) may avail of advanced entry into Year 2 by successfully completing the 2 weeks of Industry training that is part of the Industry Module in Semester 3 of Year 1.
Applicants with a cognate QQI FETAC LEVEL 6 (e.g. Electricians) may avail of advanced entry into Year 2 by successfully completing the 2 weeks of Industry training that is part of the Industry Module in Semester 3 of Year 1, plus a bridging module 'Applied Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths' to aid their transition back to education. Applicants who gain advanced access to the programme will likely have to attend all the industry training elements (2 weeks per year) of the Industry Modules on the programme for the years where they are getting an exemption.
For applicants presenting Leaving Certificate qualifications, the minimum requirements are: Grade O6/H7 or better in five Leaving Certificate subjects including English or Irish and Mathematics and a minimum of 160 Points. Applicants may present the Foundation Certificate or pass in any QQI FETAC Level 5/6 award. This programme is not offered through the CAO.
Mature Applicants:
Applications from mature applicants (aged 23 on or before 1st January of the course commencement year) are welcomed by GMIT. These applicants do not have to meet the Leaving Certificate entry requirements and are considered on an individual basis (previous education, work experience, and demonstration of ability and competence to undertake the programme). They may be invited for interview. This will be used to rank applicants where demand exceeds the available places on a programme.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can be used as a means to gain entry to the programme, or gain exemptions in accordance with Code of Practice No. 6 (Policy and Procedures for the Recognition of Prior Learning). Prior learning can be certified or experiential, and will be assessed in accordance with the code and engagement with the RPL assessment tool at www.myexperience.ie
Application Process
Applicants should be in employment and will be required to have support from their employer to engage with the course.
The employer must agree to release learners to join online lectures on two evenings per and one day on-campus.
Online applications are now open for September commencement
How to Apply
Please select application type L6***.
This user guide contains step by step instructions on how to create and submit an online application.
If you have any queries on this please email learn.galwaymayo@atu.ie
Recognition of Prior Learning may be used to gain access to this programme in accordance with GMIT’s Recognition of Prior Learning policy. For more information on the RPL process, please visit https://www.myexperience.ie/about/how-rpl-works/
Closing date for receipt of completed applications is 16th August 2023.
*Tuition Fees and Payment
Annual fees for this course are €6,000 in 2023/24. Fees may be subject to change in 2024/25.
Fees are payable prior to the commencement of study. Payment is by direct payment to GMIT's Bank Account.
Skillnet funding is available for employers registering learners on the course. For more information on the Skillnet funding available, please contact learn@gmit.ie
*Fees listed on this page are not confirmed and may be subject to change
Student Card
This course qualifies for the issuance of an ATU Student ID Card.
Contact Us
To register your interest, please contact: learn.galwaymayo@atu.ie
