Business in Tourism - Galway
The travel and tourism industry is an exciting and varied industry with many opportunities - both home and abroad. This award prepares students for many of the business roles available in the sector.
| Award Name | Level 6 Higher Certificate (Level 6 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | Atlantic Technological University |
| NFQ Level | Level 6 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 6 Higher Certificate (Level 6 NFQ) | Major | Atlantic Technological University | Level 6 NFQ |
Duration
2 years full-time.
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Higher Certificate (Level 6) and Ordinary Degree (Level 7)
5 Leaving Cert. subjects @ grade O6/H7 or better
Subjects must include either English or Irish.
Mathematics is a required subject.
Minimum points score of 160 points
Leaving Certificate General Entry Requirements
Students who achieve grade H6 or better in the Higher (Honours) maths exam will receive 25 additional points. Bonus points will also apply to Honours maths results from previous years. For maths results from 2016 and earlier, applicants will need to have achieved a grade of HD3 or better to qualify for bonus points.
Maths
Maths with a minimum grade of O6/H7 or F2 is the minimum requirement for most programmes. However, there are some programmes for which maths in not required and others (typically engineering computing programmes) for which foundation maths may not be sufficient or for which the minimum grade required is higher, e.g. H5 or better. Please check individual programme descriptors carefully for details of the maths requirement specific to each programme.
Foundation Maths
Foundation maths at and above grade F2 (80%) is accepted as meeting the maths requirement for most, but not all, programmes. Typically, foundation maths is not accepted for our engineering, education or nursing programmes.
Nor is foundation maths accepted for some abinitio level 8 programmes. Please check individual programme descriptors to see the minimum maths requirement.
Where accepted, points for qualifying Foundation Maths are:
FI 20 points
F2 12 points
Qualifying Maths Programmes
ATU run qualifying maths programmes for applicants who are otherwise eligible but who do not meet the maths requirement for the programme to which they have applied. These qualifying maths programmes are usually held after the Leaving Certificate results become available. Please see the ATU website for details of times and locations.
Passing a qualifying maths programme at ATU will compensate for failure to matriculate in maths via the Leaving Cert. or equivalent school-leaving exam. Passing a qualifying maths course will not compensate for any other deficit in the entry requirements. In all cases applicants must meet the other minimum entry requirements and the current points for the programme they wish to attend.
QQI FET Applicants General Information
QQI Leibhéal 5/6 (FETAC)
Applicants must present a full major award at Level 5 or higher. A record achievement, a minor award or a component award will not meet the minimum entry requirement. You must have at least 120 QQI FET credits to matriculate.
Additional specific requirements apply to some programmes. For most ATU programmes we accept any
QQI Level 5 award. However, for some ATU programmes, e.g. Nursing, specific QQI awards are required.
For other ATU programmes you will be expected to include a specific module within your FE award – most commonly a maths module, or to have passed Maths in the Leaving Cert. For Level 8 programmes you will normally be required to have achieved at least 3 distinctions, though 5 distinctions are required for nursing programmes.
Please consult the Applicants section of the CAO website for listings of QQI/FE requirements for individual ATU programme codes, https://www.cao.ie/index.php?page=fetac_search
Details of the Scoring Scheme for QQI awards can also be found via the Applicants section of the CAO website, http://www2.cao.ie/fetac/FETAC_scoring.pdf
Note that points based on QQI/FET results will be used when assigning places for the vocational quota only. Most offers for the vocational quota issue on Round Zero. If the vocational quota for any programme remains unfilled after Round Zero additional offers for this quota may be made
on subsequent rounds.
Applicants with QQI awards at Level 6 or higher may be considered for advanced entry, i.e. into Year 2 in a cognate area. Apply directly to ATU if you wish to be considered for advanced entry.
Careers / Further progression
Career Opportunities
Upon completion of this programme you will be capable of undertaking a wide range of roles within the tourism industry, both at home and abroad. The programme will also provide a foundation for the development of entrepreneurial activities. The inclusion of modern European languages will also aid students’ mobility within the European Union and further afield.
Further Study Options
Students who successfully complete Year 2 will graduate with a Level 6 Higher Certificate in Business in Travel and Tourism Operations. They can then apply internally for Year 3 of the Level 7 Bachelor of Business in International Travel and Tourism Management. After which, successful students can apply for Year 4 of the Level 8 to gain a Bachelor of Business (Honours) in International Travel and Tourism Management. ATU Level 8 qualifications are recognised worldwide for postgraduate entry.
Further information
Mature Students
Mic Léinn Lánfhásta
If you are applying for Year 1 and will be 23 years of age (or older) by 1st January in the proposed year of entry you are defined as a “Mature Applicant”.
For more information, please visit www.cao.ie/mature
All mature applicants will be assessed on previous qualifications and their personal statements. For high demand programmes, applicants will be ranked in order of merit or called for interview.
Mature applicants applying for nursing will be selected on the basis of an external test organised by the Nursing Board. Please check individual programme descriptions for more information.
UK and Northern Ireland Applicants
Iarrthóirí ón Ríocht Aontaithe agus Ó Thuaisceart Éirinn
An award at Level 3 on the UK framework is the minimum entry standard for year one.
Standard UK/NI applicants
Standard applicants are those presenting a combination of GCSE/GCE awards only. This is the most clear-cut entry pathway. The more common entry requirements are outlined below but it is necessary to consult individual programme description pages for full details.
English (or Irish) is always a required subject. The minimum acceptable grade is GCSE grade C.
Mathematics is almost always required. Where required, the minimum acceptable grade is usually GCSE grade C, but a higher grade may be specified for some programmes, especially in engineering/computing.
Other - Additional subject requirements may apply to some programmes. Where specific other subjects are required the minimum acceptable grade, GCSE @ C or higher. For instance,
Art may be required for some Design programmes
A laboratory Science is required for Nursing and several science-based programmes.
For ATU Level 6 or Level 7 programmes you will need:
Five different recognised GCSE/GCE subjects.
These must include at least one GCE A-Level at grade E or better.
The remaining four may be drawn from GCSE (Grades A-C only) or AS grades A-E.
Your subject must include either English or Irish - minimum acceptable grade, GCSE at C or higher.
In most cases you will be required to present maths, where required, the minimum acceptable grade
is usually GCSE grade C, but a higher grade may be specified for some programmes, especially in
engineering/computing.
Where specific other subjects are required the minimum acceptable grade, GCSE at C or higher.
For ATU Level 8 ab initio programmes you will need:
Six different recognised GCSE/GCE subjects.
These must include at least two GCE A-Levels at grade C or higher.
The remaining 4 can be drawn from GCSE (Grades A-C only), or from A-Levels or AS grades A-E
Applied A-Level subjects may be used to meet the minimum requirements.
It is possible to meet the minimum requirements through a combination of exams taken over more than one year.
Meeting the minimum requirements outlined may not be sufficient to guarantee selection. Entry is competitive and ranking is based on points. Points are derived from GCE A-Level grades. The better your GCE results the better your chance of selection.
Non-standard UK/NI Applicants
Awards other than GCE/GCSE combination are regarded as non-standard and are not included in CAO centralised automated processing. If you are including UK awards other than the standard GCE/GCSE combination as part of your application, you will need to submit supporting documents. Details of the alternate qualification(s) should be supplied to CAO (if applying for entry to the first year) or directly to ATU (if applying for advanced entry, i.e. entry to years 2, 3, or 4).
Whether or not a non-standard award will be recognised, and to what degree, will depend on the framework level, the learning outcomes achieved, and how those learning outcomes fit in with the pre-requisites of the programme for which application is being made.
ATU will consider awards at UK Framework Level 3 or higher, including BTECs, AVCs, GNVQs, etc.
Please attach the following for any non-standard awards you may be presenting at UK Level 3 or higher
1. The Award Certificate
2. A transcript of results - showing subject is taken and grades achieved
3. A copy of the syllabus or the programme schedule showing modules are taken, credits that apply, and expected learning outcomes.
With the exception of GCSE certificates at grade C or higher, awards below UK framework Level 3 do not contribute to matriculation and will be disregarded.
Advanced Entry, HND and other UK level 4 awards
Applicants presenting any award at Level 4 or higher on the UK framework may be considered for Advanced Entry into a cognate area. Applicants for Advanced Entry should apply directly to ATU and not via the CAO.
Please attach to the completed ATU application form details of both your Level 4 syllabus – e.g. HND or other and of your results.
Our ability to accommodate advanced entry applicants will depend on several factors including:
Available vacancies in the advanced class group
The “fit” between the learning outcomes you have already achieved and the programme for which you are applying
Whether or not it will be possible to make up any deficit, or missed element, including any placement requirements, etc.
Every case is different. First offers for advanced entry are normally issued in late July. However, as we sometimes need to await the outcome of autumn exams to resolve any space issues, offers may issue as late as September.
Since advanced entry is not guaranteed, some advanced entry applicants may decide, as a fall-back position, to also apply for first-year via the CAO. This is permissible.
Whether you apply directly to ATU and/ or via the CAO it is important to include all relevant supporting documents.
25
Entry 2024
Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20 January 2024 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1 February 2024 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: €60 Closing Date: 1 May 2024 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2024 at 5pm
Exceptional online late application (see page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee €60 Closing Date: 22 July 2024 at 5pm
Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid making an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all application fees are non-refundable.
LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5pm on 1 February 2024. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2024, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2024 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2024 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €60 applies.
Exceptional Late Applications (Exception to the timetable)
The exceptional closing date of 22 July at 5pm applies only to applicants who are registered as an undergraduate student on 1 May 2024 in any year in any one of the participating HEIs (subject to the exclusions listed below). In order to avail of the Exceptional Late Application facility you must have entered the HEI through the CAO system. This is an exceptional late closing date and all steps must be completed by 5pm on 22 July. No changes may be made after this date.
If you did not enter your current course through the CAO system, you must first contact the Admissions Office of the HEI to which you wish to apply and they will inform you if you may submit an application direct to the institution.
Exclusions:
You may submit a late application only for entry to courses other than your existing course. If you wish to repeat the year in the same course you must arrange this within your HEI.
Mary Immaculate College Limerick, Marino Institute of Education, Trinity College Dublin, University of Limerick and Maynooth University have special procedures in place in the case of current or previous students who wish to apply for entry to another course in the same HEI. Such applicants must contact their Admissions Office to determine the application procedure. However, if you are a student in another HEI and you wish to apply to any of these five HEIs, you should apply through CAO.
Refer to page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook on how to make an Exceptional Late Application.
Restrictions
As a CAO applicant you may experience one or more of the following restrictions based on your course choices, your category of application, or restrictions imposed by the HEIs that you wish to apply to. Please read the section on 'Restrictions' on page 3 of the 2024 CAO Handbook carefully. This section includes information on:
General Restrictions
1. Making a late application
2. Making changes to your course choices
Restricted Courses
3. Applying for a restricted course
Mature Applicants
4. Mature applicants
Supplementary Admissions Routes
5. Applying for DARE and/or HEAR
Tourism
The travel and tourism industry is an exciting and varied industry with many opportunities - both home and abroad. This award prepares students for many of the business roles available in the sector. Students will develop skills appropriate at both operational and supervisory levels. Students on this programme can expect to participate on a significant number of field trips which will support University-based learning activities.
The integrated work placements in Year 1 and Year 2 enable students to develop their skills and experience. Students experience first-hand the challenges, demands and rewards of working in this exciting and ever-changing industry.
The inclusion of the Fáilte Ireland Certified Rural Guiding Certificate greatly enhances the employability of graduates of the programmes. In addition, students will learn to use the Galileo international travel booking system, used by tour operators all over the world.
Common Entry
Following the successful completion of Year 1, students on this programme may choose to transfer to other programmes within the same discipline. Event Management with Public Relations or International Hotel and Hospitality Management are two examples. The student would transfer at the same level and may need to take a ‘bridging module’ in year two in lieu of the elective choices.
What will I study?
Year 1
• Introduction to Tourism
• Tourism Industry Skills
• Essentials of Business
• Information and Digital Technologies
• Academic and Professional Skills
• Preparation for Work Placement
• Summer 12-week domestic work placement
Year 2
• Regional Guiding
• International Tourism Geography and Travel Trade
• Financial Accounting
• Marketing Principles
• Placement Reporting and Reflection
• Management Principles and Practice
• Consumer Law
• Summer 12-week international work placement (continuing or progressing into Year 3)
Additional elective modules are available.
Did you Know?
Field trips are at the core of the teaching on the programme and are attached to a variety of modules to enhance the application of the learning. Students will engage in a variety of field trips, both at home and abroad.
Field trip destinations include Inis Mór on the Aran Islands, Connemara and Oughterard Heritage Walk, Walking and food tour of Galway city, Dublin to locations such as the Guinness Storehouse, Jameson Distillery and Airbnb. Other tours include the walking Tour of Limerick andKing John’s Castle, Clonmacnoise, Lough Boora, and Newgrange, the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher.
Professional Accreditation
Fáilte Ireland National Guiding Certificate following successful completion of Year 3 of the Level 7 or 8 programme.
Fáilte Ireland Rural Guiding Certificate following successful completion of Year 2 of the Level 6.
Galway International Hotel,
School Office,
e: gihs.galwaymayo@atu.ie