Sponsored by
Jacqueline McCormack
Vice President with responsibility for EDI and Online & Flexible Learning
Gavin Clinch
Head of Innovation (OFPD), Lead for HE4.0 Innovation Projects and Co-Lead for the Career and Learning Pathways Service
Explore ATU’s pioneering online education with 350+ accredited courses. Redefine your career with online and flexible learning opportunities today.
Atlantic Technological University (ATU) stands as a beacon of modern higher education, truly embodying the concept of the ‘edgeless university.’ As a market leader in online, flexible and professional development courses, ATU has consistently pushed the boundaries of traditional education.
E-learning education programmes
E-learning education programmes ATU has long been a pioneer in this space. As the largest Irish provider of e-learning and parttime higher education courses, ATU’s campuses have been providing these opportunities to students well before the global shift.
The university boasts over 350 online, blended and on-campus accredited courses. These programmes are carefully designed not only to provide qualifications but also to meet the evolving demands of the national workforce and its industries.
Offering diverse subjects to bridge gaps
ATU’s academic teams collaborate closely with industry partners to ensure the curriculum delivers market-relevant skills. It offers a wide range of subjects, within the disciplines of business; civil engineering and construction; computing; education; electrical and mechanical engineering; enterprise and law; environmental science; exercise science and nutrition; humanities and social science; nursing and healthcare; and tourism and marketing.
“Our focus is on providing access to higher education opportunities to people who want to develop their skills and realise their life and work ambitions,” says Prof Jacqueline McCormack, Vice President with responsibility for Online, Flexible, and Professional Development at ATU.
Our focus is on providing access to higher
education opportunities to people who
want to develop their skills and realise
their life and work ambitions.
Flexible upskilling initiatives
Many ATU learners are employed professionals seeking career advancement. ATU’s online and flexible courses provide the perfect solution, allowing them to upskill without leaving their jobs and to balance their studies with work and family responsibilities.
The success of these initiatives is evident in the enrolment numbers: out of 22,650 students at ATU in 2022-23, over 10,225 were undertaking online, part-time and distance/e-learning programmes. This makes ATU the leading university provider of such courses in Ireland by a considerable margin.
Accessible, innovative education approach
Central to ATU’s success is the Online, Flexible Learning Innovation Team, which supports academic teams in ensuring quality and in developing and implementing new, innovative teaching and assessment methods.
“ATU’s shift towards a more flexible, accessible and interconnected educational model is democratising education, making it more inclusive and adaptable to individual needs,” Prof
McCormack emphasises.
This is reiterated by Gavin Clinch, Head of Innovation (OFPD). “At ATU, our commitment to innovation is woven into every aspect of our educational model.
“Through initiatives like MyCareerPath and microcredentials, we are not only meeting the immediate needs of our students and industry partners but also paving the way for the future of higher education,” he says.
Redefining the higher education landscape
“By leveraging advanced technologies and fostering an environment of continuous learning, we are transforming how education is delivered and experienced, ensuring it is inclusive, flexible
and aligned with the evolving demands of the workforce,” he adds.
Indeed, by embracing the concept of the edgeless university, ATU is redefining the landscape of higher education, providing inclusive, adaptable learning opportunities that transcend geographical boundaries.
