Applied Digital Business

Postgraduate Certificate

Course Details

Course Code	SG_BAPPL_S09
Level	9
Duration	1 year
Credits	30
Method of Delivery	Online
Campus Locations	Sligo
Mode of Delivery	Part Time

How to Apply

Course Overview

This postgraduate course is the first of its kind in Ireland, offering students the opportunity to upskill their digital business skillset through flexible online delivery. Providing the learner with live virtual classes which can be revisited at their convenience should help those juggling the demands of part-time education and full-time employment. ATU Sligo has a rich history in online learning and are viewed as market leaders within this area in Ireland.

On these programmes you can expect to gain technical and management skills which are delivered through a mix of practical and theory-based modules. This will equip you with the knowledge, skills and tools to manage and implement innovative digital change. You will gain the knowledge and skills required to understand how digital technologies are developed and delivery in business.

Features and benefits of the course:

A hands-on programme which equips graduates with the knowledge and skills to identify new digital opportunities and innovative digital solutions.

Explore how digital technology innovations (e.g., Cybersecurity, the Internet of Things, Immersive Technology, Chatbots, and Artificial Intelligence) can be harnessed and developed within a digital environment.

Develop an understanding of the latest and most appropriate theories and models that create new business value.

Flexible part-time study – delivered online (evenings), this programme allows you to fit your studies around work life and other commitments, accessing materials 24/7, from wherever you are in the world.

Tailored learning – study towards the qualification that meets your goals, be it the PG Cert in Applied Digital Business (8 months part-time), PG Dip in Digital Business (16 months) or the full MSc in Digital Business (24 months)Learners can progress from PG Cert to PG Diploma and onto the Masters or exit early with one of the PG awards.

Real life projects – where possible, modules incorporate real situations which require the learner to research and apply their knowledge to provide solutions. As an online student on the PG Certificate, you will have a maximum of 5 hours of contact per week plus additional time to dedicate to your own reading and projects when needed.

Study hours:

This programme is delivered online (evenings) on a part-time basis. It is designed to work around the learner who may be in part or full-time employment and operating a busy schedule. The modules are, in some cases, a mix of live and pre-recorded material. All the material on the programme is recorded and will be available afterwards on our learning platform for you to review in your own time.

Funding Opportunity

Successful applicants to this course may receive funding for their fees on this course through the HCI Pillar 3 Micro-Credentials Learner Fee Subsidy initiative. The number of funded places is limited and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

*Micro-credentials Subsidised Fee: €480

Please see here the eligibility criteria – HCI-Micro-credentials-Fee-Subsidy-Eligibility-Criteria.pdf (hea.ie)

Applicants should note that they can only be registered on one programme at a time (including a micro-credential), at ATU during the academic year (September to May).

There are a small number of subsidies available for the programme for those who are successful in the application process.

Course Details

Year 1

Semester	Module Details	Credits	Mandatory / Elective
1	Business Analytics The aim of this module is to provide students with an understanding of the field of business analytics. This module will allow graduates to function in the modern business environment with the ability to operate between data scientists and management. It covers a broad range of topics, including areas related to quantitative analysis, statistics and data visualisation. Crucially, it also informs students of business performance metrics which are relevant in the modern working world. Students will learn how to engage with relevant literature, perform quality analysis and reinterpret it for application across all levels of the business. Learning Outcomes 1. Critically assess a wide range of spreadsheet functions used in a business environment 2. Demonstrate proficiency with appropriate statistical techniques, including descriptive and inferential analysis, that apply to businesses. 3. Examine and applybest practice in effective data visualisation techniques. 4. Critically reviewrelevant business performance metrics and their role in the modern business environment. 5. Critically engage withrelevant literature and report on key business insights arising from relevantanalysis.	10	Mandatory
1	Emerging Technologies and Applications This module will demonstrate several emerging technologies to the learner and will enable the learner to develop applications thereof. The student will learn about IoT, 3D, 360° and XR technologies and will examine how these technologies are used in different types of industries. The learner will implement practical applications of each of these technologies using a variety of hardware and software. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technologies and Applications will be utilised and implemented, where possible, in various components of this module. Learning Outcomes 1. Appraise requirements and implement IoT applications for various industries. 2. Determine requirements and generate 3D content that can be used in a variety of applications. 3. Compare and contrast requirements and produce 360 media for a variety of purposes. 4. Evaluate requirements and develop immersive applications and experiences.	05	Mandatory
2	Networking, Cloud and CyberSecurity The module will provide the student with the networking skills, network service requirements and device configurations necessary in a small business. Students will explore cyber trends and threats with the aim to be safe online. Following on from there, the students will evaluate the measures used by organisations to mitigate the attacks. To deal with the growing needs of today's business, students will analyse the services provided by service providers in order to implement a secure IT infrastructure. Finally, students will investigate network compliance to formulate an IT compliance policy for a SME to prevent unethical activity, ensuring a fair workspace for all. Learning Outcomes 1. Examine the networking requirements for a small to mediumbusiness. 2. Design and implement a business network using wired and wireless technologies. 3. Critique cybersecurity anddata confidentiality in a business and recommend techniques to mitigate cyber attacks. 4. Critically assesscloud services for SMEsand determine how blockchaintechnology can be used in Cloud Storage. 5. Examine network compliance to prevent unethical activity ensuring a fair space for all to work	10	Mandatory
2	Digital Customer Experience This module explores Digital Customer Experience, and its role within the modern business. It examines relational and experiential marketing, the expectations of the modern customers and how technology has driven these expectations. Additionally, the module assesses the use of data driven metrics which incorporate AI and other technologies to allow managers to provide the expected level of digital experience that the customer demands. Learning Outcomes 1. Examine how Digital Customer Experience is constructed and employed across marketing 2. Critically assess how technology is shaping Digital Customer Experience 3. Examine and assess the management of touchpoints throughout the customer journey across multiple platforms 4. Critically assess the role of data to drive Digital Customer Experience, including personalisation, retention and service encounters.	05	Mandatory

Recommended Study Hours per week

Students can expect to attend online lectures two nights per week from 6-9pm each semester. Students will need to complete 12 hours of independent learning per week for each semester. Online lectures are recorded and available to students for the duration of the programme.

Examination and Assessment

Each module has a maximum of two assessments over the semester, spaced to avoid overlap. Many of the projects are designed to allow the learner to examine scenarios that may be beneficial in their own work situation. There are no exams for this programme; all assessments are designed as project work throughout the term.

On-Campus Attendance Requirement

No attendance required.

Progression

The flexibility of the programme allows people to complete the PG Cert in Applied Digital Business and then apply for the PG Diploma and afterwards progress to the Masters. Alternatively, you can apply for the Masters and decide to exit early with the PG cert or Diploma.

Download a prospectus

Postgraduate Prospectus Online, Flexible & Professional Development Prospectus

Entry Requirements

Second Class Honours (NFQ, Level 8) in any business discipline or

Second Class Honours (NFQ, Level 8) in any discipline plus 3 years experience in a management/supervisor role which will be subject to consideration under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Where English is not their first language, students are required to have an appropriate score in an approved examination in English language, such as IELTS. More information can be found here – International Entry Requirements – Atlantic Technological University.

Applicants with other qualifications and with relevant work experience may also be considered through ATU Sligos Recognition of 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.

Fees

Total Fees EU: €2400

Further information on fees

Careers

While the programme will be of interest to a wide and varied audience in business/digital fields, the specific career and career advancement opportunities that the award supports include Digital Business Analyst, Digital Project Manager, ICT Project Manager, Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Information Resource Manager, Analyst (Data/ICT/Business/Systems), and Project Manager.