Online Learning Pre-Induction

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. Our online courses have about 2-3 hours of live lectures per week (but this can vary per programme). The rest of your study time consists of independent learning, communicating with your lecturers and classmates and carrying out assignments.

Live lectures normally take place between 6pm and 10pm, Monday to Thursday. The number of hours and lecture times depends on the programme you are taking.

Many of our course webpages detail the general study hours needed for that course and if time is needed for workshops, assessments, examinations etc.

Your Timetable

During our full Induction programme in January, you will get a chance to meet your Course Coordinator online and you will receive further information on your timetable then.

Assessment

Assessment can be through a mix of exams and continuous assessment or 100% continuous assessment, depending on your programme.  Check your programme web page to find out what methods of assessment are being used so that you can plan ahead if you need to take time off work to attend exams.   

For further exam information, check out our Online / Part-time Students Exams page here. Exams in semester one are normally held in January and semester two exams are held in May. 

You may have Workshops/Practical Classes for approximately 2 – 4 days per year depending on your programme

As an Online Learner at ATU Sligo, you will gain access to a host of applications, tools and people that will support you as a student. You will access most of your learning resources and supports in Moodle, our virtual learning environment (VLE).

In Moodle, you will find your programme support page containing details of your Course Coordinator, any news and important announcements about your programme as well as your timetable, links to relevant reading materials and details of assessment methods. You will also find your module pages in Moodle. Once teaching begins you will be able to access your live classroom from your Moodle module page. Live online classes are definitely worth attending as it gives the opportunity to engage with your lecturers and peers. We do understand that some students cannot attend a live class, so lectures are recorded and made available to watch back on Moodle at a time that suits you.

As part of our Pre-Induction programme, we have created a mock Moodle page for you to familiarise yourself with how Moodle works and the resources available to you (please select ‘Enter as Guest’ to gain access) – click here to view our mock Moodle page.

To explore all the technologies used for Online Learning at ATU Sligo, watch Jennifer Gilligan, Instructional Designer at ATU Sligo detail each of the technologies used. Watch now. 

From the Yeats Library team, we look forward to welcoming you to ATU Sligo in person and virtually. You can browse our online content and become familiar with how we can support you through the academic year.

Have a look at the range of guides about Yeats Library services and resources.  There are also subject guides for each programme and recorded tutorials for independent learners.

Once you are registered you will be able to explore course resources including ebooks and online journals through the library website.

During term you can request an online assignment support session for your class or a one-to-one appointment with a School Liaison Librarian.

For online access to the Yeats Library go to this link: Then click on ATU Sligo.

Student ID cards are a useful source of identification and can prove your status to avail of student discounts.  You will upload your photograph as part of the student registration process in due course which will enable us to produce your I.D. card.

You will have your own ATU email address when you register as a student with ATU. It is important for students to regularly check their student email account as lecturers and almost all of ATU Sligo correspondence is communicated with students via their student email account. Before your course begins with ATU Sligo, you will receive instructions on how to access your student email account.

If you need to report any login problems, please use our IT Services Helpdesk.

It is important to consider how you will fund your studies. Whilst some students will be self-funded others will be funded by their employer, Skillnet or Springboard+. You should take the time to consider your funding options and learn about the payment deadlines and fee policies at ATU Sligo.  

Detailed information and guidance about fees and funding  for students studying on online and part-time courses is available here. This includes information about: 

• Contact Details for the Fees Team.
• Deadlines  
• Instalment Plans
• Payment Methods
• Implications for Late Fee Payment  
• Fee Implications for Withdrawals/Deferrals
• Tax Relief  
• Fee Collection Policy
• Contact Details for the Fees Team.

The Academic Writing Centre offers free advice and support on all aspects of academic writing to all students of ATU Sligo, whether you are studying online or on campus. 

How can we help?

• Getting started with an assignment: planning, outline & structure
• The writing process: generating ideas, drafting, revising & editing
• Critical reading and effective note-taking
• Developing an argument: critical reading, thinking and writing
• Reflective writing, report writing & writing for a literature review
• Writing for a dissertation
• Successful writing in exams
• Avoiding plagiarism
• Grammar, punctuation and spelling

Booking an Appointment:

In order to accommodate our on-campus online, part-time and international students, we offer a range of 40 minutes appointment times from Monday-Friday, to registered students.

Online Supports:

If you have questions around academic writing, you will find supports and resources on Academic Writing on Moodle, once you are logged in as a registered student.

In the meantime, you may find it helpful to take our Free Foundation Course which includes academic writing, at your own pace and in your own time. 

Maths & Engineering Support Centre 

 The Maths and Engineering Support Centre offers free support to students at ATU Sligo in mathematical aspects of your studies. 

How we can help 

• We offer 1-1 online revision classes that can be booked through our Moodle Page. 
• We have a drop-in centre located on the ground floor of the ATU Sligo library in A0048. 
• We provide regular revision classes with specific student groups covering mathematical modules in various STEM courses. This includes various modules in Mathematics, Physics, Engineering, Statistics, Data Science, Electrical Apprenticeships, etc. 

I’m not sure where to begin… 

Email: Paul Press (paul.press@atu.ie) and let us know what course you are studying, and we can start from there.

For more information to the Maths & Engineering Support Centre webpage

As an Online Learner at ATU Sligo, you will receive help and support from our dedicated team of Online Student Advisors who will be there to assist you throughout your studies. They will be your first point of contact for any non-academic queries or questions you may have and can provide you with any further information, support or guidance you might require throughout your application process and studies at ATU. 

Charlotte McManus

Quality and Manufacturing programmes

Email

Natalie McNulty

Automation, Mechatronics, Data Centres, Polymers, Mechanical Analysis and Precision Engineering

Email

Sallyanne Downes

Quantity surveying, Civil Engineering & Construction programmes

Email

Michelle Moore

Life Sciences programmes

Email

Mary Tully

Health and Nutritional Science, Biopharma processing, GMP, Aseptic BioPharma Operations, Industrial Pharmaceutical Science and Biopharmaceutical Processing.

Email

Niamh Doddy

Computing, Waste Water, Biomedical Science and Environmental Science Programmes.

Email

Saoirse Kennedy

Business and Social Sciences, Environmental Science, Occupational Safety and Health and Social Science

Email

Specific Learning Needs and Disability Services

If you have a particular learning need or a disability, please check out the following services available from the Access Office here and our staff will be able to assist you.  Register with this service early in the academic year so that a Learning Support Tutor can develop an individual support plan for you.

Student Supports Video

Student Support Services

The aim of Student Support Services at ATU Sligo is to provide a comprehensive and caring service, to help our students to achieve their full academic and personal potential. The Student Support Services Officer is available to see students about any personal, general or welfare issues. 

As a Springboard+ funded Online Learner at ATU Sligo, you can reach out for assistance and support from ATU Sligo’s dedicated Springboard and Online Programme Co-ordinator, Catherine O’ Reilly.  She can answer any Springboard+ related queries you have and can provide information, support and guidance to you for the duration of your Springboard+ studies with us.

You can view a copy of our Springboard+ Quick Guide at this link: 

To contact Catherine, email catherine.oreilly@atu.ie or email our dedicated Springboard+ Admissions Team at springboard.sligo@atu.ie.