Commissioning Qualification & Validation CQF for Biologics Manufacturing - Sligo

This programme is designed to provide students with the knowledge required to be involved in the commissioning of equipment and utilities used in biopharmaceutical plants. It will equip students with the knowledge and skills required to perform commissioning of a bioprocessing plant, and the equipment related to the biotechnology industry. This programme is jointly offered by ATU Sligo and NIBRT (National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training).



Who should apply?

This programme will appeal to personnel who wish to advance their career in biopharma while specialising in an area beneficial to their employer, where there is a shortage of qualified and experienced personnel in Ireland. The programme will address a knowledge gap amongst junior CQV engineers that don’t have a specific engineering background in areas such as hygienic pipework principles, P&ID walkdowns, instrumentation and calibration.

What will I study?

Postgraduate Certificate:

Biologics Manufacturing

Facility Design and Operation

Regulation, Risk and Compliance (E)

Research Methods Biopharma (E)

Commissioning, Qualification & Validation

Scale-up and Technology Transfer



(E) = Elective Module

The programme is open to applicants who have obtained an Honours degree or its equivalent in an appropriate discipline (i.e. Engineering or Life Sciences). Other candidates with alternative Honours degrees and experience in the BioProcessing industry may apply for consideration (typically 5 years duration in a GMP environment).



Recognition of Prior Learning: Yes.

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.

1 year part-time, online delivery.



Study Hours

Students should expect to allocate 6 hours on average per week per 5-credit module.



On-Campus Attendance

Lectures will be delivered online. Depending on electives, students may be required to attend a 2 day block attendance at the NIBRT facility in Dublin.

Progression Pathways

Many of our Masters programmes are structured in a way that includes recognised entry and exit awards. This means that you can apply for part of Masters first and learn at your own pace or if you are unable to complete the full programme, you can still gain a recognised qualification. Our entry and exit awards typically include Postgraduate Certificate award and a Postgraduate Diploma award.