In a world post COVID-19, there will be a dramatic shift towards Lifelong Learning and Online Learning, IT Sligo have developed over 20 new programmes for the forthcoming academic year. Mastering ambition and upskilling for the future of work are key themes in the new programmes. Examples include 3 new full-time online degree programmes in Health and Medical Information Science, Writing & Literature and Business Studies (developed for students who would find attending on campus too challenging), a new Work-Based Learning degree programme in Mechatronic Systems Engineering and a joint international delivery Masters programme in Leadership and Advocacy in the Early Years with one of IT Sligo's partner Institution, Fanshawe College in Canada.
“What really drives our Centre for Online Learning is making higher education accessible to all,” said Professor Jacqueline McCormack, Vice President for Online Learning at IT Sligo. “It is very important for us to continue to have an excellent campus experience in place for those who really want it, like school-leavers, but we also cater for a cohort of learners who maybe can’t make it to the campus, or who are working full-time and want to upskill, or who have a disability and find it more convenient to learn from home. It’s about accessibility”.
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Launching the new 2020/21 Online Learning Prospectus, IT Sligo shares many student successes, highlighting personal journeys taken by IT Sligo’s online students across Ireland and the globe.
In these challenging times, IT Sligo is encouraging everyone to consider investing in their education, whether that is a free short online course or a Masters qualification in a specialist field. Now, more than ever, is the time to take that next step and master your ambition.
Brigid Flood, Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management
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Motivated by the desire to progress in my career, I began researching third level courses. The option to study online was hugely attractive. Working full-time and juggling family commitments meant that on-campus education wasn’t feasible.
As well as academic learning, attending third level education for the first time, brought with it some unexpected benefits. Researching and investigating specific topics has provided lifelong learning skills that are transferable across all professions. In terms of personal development, completing the course gave me a great sense of achievement and a confidence boost.
Read the full story here.
Shane Sheridan, Masters in Industrial Pharmaceutical Science
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I’ve worked as an Analytical Chemist for a long time. I was looking to broaden my horizons and reviewed various online courses, as I’m working full-time. The Masters in Industrial Pharmaceutical Science ticked all the boxes in terms of the course content. The course co-ordinator was magnificent and lecturing staff put you at ease – interactions with them gave reassurances you were on the right path. That’s where IT Sligo excelled. It’s very demanding and challenging but in the end, it is totally worth it.
James Maher, Masters in Marketing
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Having completed an undergraduate honours degree in Exercise & Health Science and worked for several years in the leisure industry, I was keen to progress to Operational or General Manager level but needed the relevant qualification to take that next step. I enrolled in the 2 year part-time online Level 8 Bachelor of Business at IT Sligo. The programme offered the opportunity to upskill in core business skills of finance, marketing and people management, whilst continuing in full-time employment.
Having successfully graduated with an honours degree in Business, I progressed to the Level 9 Masters in Marketing, opting to complete it as a 1 year full-time student, building on my career goals to progress in this specialist field.
Read the full story here.
Richard O'Donovan, Certificate BIM & Lean Construction Management
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There were two main reasons for picking IT Sligo. Looking at Springboard+ options, IT Sligo was the Institute that offered the largest number of programmes using Online delivery.
This gave me the confidence that they knew what they were doing in that space. The second reason was the programme itself – the content is extremely relevant to my industry and whilst I graduate with a Higher Certificate, the qualification offers a progression path into IT Sligo’s Masters in Project Management.
Read the full story here.
Niamh Harkin, Masters in Professional Leadership
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The supports available from IT Sligo are fantastic.
Even though the course is delivered online, the small group size means there is strong interaction between lecturers and other participants.
The course offers a broad spectrum of learning across all areas of management and leadership, allowing you to highlight your own skills and progress in your chosen career path.
Watch Fintan, Niamh and Rory talk about the MA in Professional Leadership.
Audrey Colreavy, Masters Health Promotion
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Having worked with the HSE for over 20 years as a physiotherapist, I choose to do the online two-year masters in Health Promotion in IT Sligo. The course allows me to continue working full time, I am able to attend the lectures online from my home, if I can’t attend live they are all recorded so I can work around family, work, life commitments.
The modules are all applicable to my learning needs and continuous professional development requirement of CORU, as a health and social care professional.
Ronan Collevy, Bachelor of Engineering Polymer Processing
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As I was working full-time, online learning offered me a way to get a degree.
Studying in the evenings can be tough, but it is worth it. The course at IT Sligo offered everything from tool design to processing and quality. It allowed me to understand and work in different departments. Everything I learned applied to my everyday job.
The main reason I took the course was to achieve a higher position in my career and this qualification allows me to do that.
Declan O'Connor, Bachelor of Science (Hons) Quality Management
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Over the years, I have been interested in going back to College and progressing my studies. It was a daunting prospect and I contemplated it for a good while before finally pushing ahead and taking the next step. The Construction industry has changed considerably over the last 25 years.
There is a huge emphasis on standards & compliance. In my role, I was taking responsibility for Quality and had led our team to gain ISO 9001:2015 certification and I felt I needed the academic qualifications to really give me confidence.
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