Course Summary
This programme shall provide a means for Civil Engineering professionals working or intending to work in the Bridge Engineering sector to develop appropriate analytical, design and assessment skills.
College Link
Career Sectors
This course prepares you for working in the Career Sectors below. Follow the links to get a fuller understanding of the sectors you are preparing for.
Entry Requirements
The minimum entry requirements are a pass in a BEng Honours degree (Level 8) in Civil Engineering or a related discipline or equivalent.
Applicants with other qualifications and with relevant work experience may also be considered through ATU Sligo’s Recognised 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 is our dedicated RPL portal or by contacting our admissions team at [email protected]
Application Details
Application Closing Date: 15th August 2025.
Flexible learning courses are popular, and they fill on a first come, first served basis. There are two major intake periods throughout the academic year, September and January.
For January start courses, applications typically open in October, and for September start courses, applications typically open in February. Closing dates for applications are listed on the individual course webpage.
Start Date: September 2025.
Fees
Total Fees: €3000
The Student
Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.
Realist
Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.
Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.
Career Progression
The programme provides access routes for a student intake from a specific cohort of Civil Engineering graduates predominately from the public roads services sector who wish to upskill in bridge engineering, and offers clear routes of progression through education. This includes a specialised, relevant programme offering, differentiated through flexible modes of delivery, which promotes lifelong learning by practitioners within the road and bridge engineering sector.
This programme is industry and professionally relevant, and delivers the generic skills necessary for effective engagement in society. The programme was developed in conjunction with industry partners, Dept. of Transport and LASNTG to ensure the curriculum remains focused on required knowledge, skills and competencies of the public roads services sector with a focus on bridge inspection, management and design.
Progression
Successful completion of this Certificate programme will allow for the transfer of learners to the Postgraduate Diploma or MEng in Road and Transport Engineering, whereby the remaining Stage 1 and Stage 2 taught modules can be taken to achieve the major award of Postgraduate Diploma and a Research Dissertation shall be completed to attain a professionally accredited Master in Engineering Level 9 major award.
Duration
Recommended Study Hours per week
Live lectures normally take place between 6pm and 10pm, two evenings per week. If the Live Classroom scheduled times for the live online lectures do not suit you, recordings will be made available. Independent study hours will be reflective of a student’s experience.
On-Campus Attendance Requirement
Workshops occur twice per semester at the Sligo Campus on a Friday generally from 9.30am-4.30pm.