Engineering - Automation & Digital Manufacturing - Galway

This is an innovative programme that has been designed in close consultation with manufacturing industry in the western region who have identified a requirement to up-skill their employees. The programme offers a conversion route for Manufacturing Engineers (or cognate) who wish to re-direct their career towards Automation and Digital Manufacturing.



The programme is flexible in nature, offering an opportunity to employees to up-skill while working.



The programme runs over 52 weeks, including two semesters of 13 weeks of tuition and an Industry project. Students attend two evenings of online classes per week as well as up to one day per week (depending on elective choices in our state-of-the-art facilities ( https://youtu.be/9v2iYvZTPow )



They also complete a digital transformation project that benefits their employer.



Why study this course?



Skills in Automation & Digital Manufacturing are the most sought after in the manufacturing industry.



Students get real hands-on experience on software and hardware that they apply and develop in an Industry project



The main regional employers have been involved in the development of this course to guarantee that the skills acquired, and the equipment used are the most relevant to industry.



Who Should Apply?

This programme is suitable for those looking to move into automation engineering positions or advanced manufacturing ones – such as digitalisation of manufacturing, data analytics, operation management – in the medical device and engineering manufacturing sectors.

Semester Module Details Credits Mandatory / Elective

1 Industrial Control Systems 05 Mandatory

1 Decision Theory and Data Visualisation 05 Mandatory

1 Industrial Robotics 05 Elective

1 Machine Vision for Industry 05 Elective

1 Cloud Infrastructure and Enterprise Services 05 Elective

1 Digital Twin Technology 05 Elective

2 Lean process automation 05 Mandatory

2 System Integration 05 Mandatory

2 Industrial Networks 05 Elective

2 Actuators for Industrial Automation 05 Elective

2 Advanced Automation 05 Elective

2 Database Design and Development 05 Elective

Year Digital Transformation project 20 Mandatory

The entry requirement for the programme is a Bachelor (H) in Manufacturing Engineering (or cognate, including Mechanical, Electronic, Electrical Engineering) with a minimum of one year working in the manufacturing industry. As the digital transformation project is an applied project to be conducted in Industry, applicants should either be employed or have an agreement with a company that will allow them to conduct their project in their manufacturing facilities.



English Language Requirements



English Language Requirements will be as determined by GMIT and as published in the Access, Transfer and Progression code. The current requirements are as follows:



Non-EU applicants who are not English speakers must have a minimum score of 5.5 (with a minimum of 5.0 in each component) in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or equivalent. All results must have been achieved within 2 years of application to ATU.



EU applicants who are not English speakers are recommended to have a minimum score of 5.5 (with a minimum of 5.0 in each component) in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or equivalent.



Further details on English language requirements are available



Recognition of Prior Learning



ATU is committed to the principles of transparency, equity and fairness in recognition of prior learning (RPL) and to the principle of valuing all learning regardless of the mode or place of its acquisition. Recognition of Prior Learning may be used for admission.



Once admitted in the programme, students can apply for exemptions based on prior qualification and experience.



Academic Code of Practice No. 6 outlines the policies and procedures for the Recognition of Prior Learning. Guidance for applicants is provided on myexperience.ie

1 year part-time, blended delivery.



Recommended Study Hours per week

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 hours per week during the academic year to accommodate study time and a minimum of 4 hours for the rest of the year to work on their project.



On-Campus Attendance Requirement

Students attend on-site classes one day per week.



Note: Check programme Examination and Assessment requirements, as they may involve examinations to be taken on campus.

Start Date: September 2027.

Careers

The shortage of engineers in Automation and Digital Manufacturing is such that Irish Industry is currently recruiting abroad. The course will position graduates to move into automation engineering positions or advanced manufacturing ones (such as digitalisation of manufacturing, data analytics, operation management to name but a few) in the Medical Device and engineering manufacturing sectors.