ATU Donegal Flexible Pre-Induction

Before you start your programme, you will be sent a registration email inviting you to register for your programme with instructions on how to complete your registration online.

Before beginning your registration we would advise you do the following: 

• Review the ATU Registration Video Guide and the ATU Student Guide to Online Registration.
• Have a photo ready to upload for your student ID card. The file size must be less than 150KB. It may be necessary to resize your image click HERE for a guide to resizing and formatting images. 
• Have your personal information ready: You will need to confirm personal information when registering including PPS number (if applicable), emergency contact details and previous third level qualifications.(if applicable).
• Have your debit or credit card ready: During the registration process,  all students will be asked if they want to pay their fees. You can make a full or partial payment online with a debit/credit card or you can choose not to make a payment. If you are ‘employer funded’, please choose the ‘pay later’ option. Please be aware that failure to pay fees by the relevant deadlines will result in the loss of access to Blackboard and Exam Results

It is important to consider how you will fund your studies. Whilst some students will be self-funded others will be funded by their employer, Skillnet or Springboard+. You should take the time to consider your funding options and learn about the payment deadlines and fee policies at ATU.

Fees for Self-funded students

Self-funded students who are starting their course in September of the current academic year can choose from one of the following payment plans.  

Payment Plan 1:
September & January Intake: Pay 100% of tuition fees at registration.

Payment Plan 2:
September Intake (only): Pay 50% of tuition fees by October 31st and 50% by
January 31st.

Payment Plan 3:
September Intake: Pay 20% of your tuition fees at registration and then pay 10% per
month for 8 months.

You can make a payment online with a debit/credit card via Self-Service Banner. 

Note: If you fall behind with the agreed payment plan, a hold will be placed on your student account which means that your access to Blackboard/Library/Exam Results cannot be guaranteed.

Fees for Employer Funded / Sponsored students

If you are funded by your employer or a sponsor, please email feecollection.donegal@atu.ie for further details on how to proceed.

Detailed information and guidance about fees and funding  for students studying on online and part-time courses is available here. This includes information about: 

• Contact Details for the Fees Team.
• Deadlines  
• Instalment Plans
• Payment Methods
• Implications for Late Fee Payment  
• Fee Implications for Withdrawals/Deferrals
• Tax Relief  
• Fee Collection Policy
• Contact Details for the Fees Team.

Study Hours
For part-time online or blended learning, it is recommended that you should try to allow for 5-6 hours per week per 5 credit module to your studies. Our online courses have about 2-3 hours of live lectures per week (but this can vary per programme). The rest of your study time consists of independent learning, communicating with your lecturers and classmates and carrying out assignments.

Live lectures normally take place between 6pm and 10pm, Monday to Thursday. The number of hours and lecture times depends on the programme you are taking.

Many of our course webpages detail the general study hours needed for that course and if time is needed for workshops, assessments, examinations etc.

Your Timetable
During our full Induction week in September you will receive further information on your timetable then.

Assessment
Assessments are structured using a combination of exams and continuous assessment or 100% continuous assessment, depending on your programme. Further details are available in your programme handbook. Workshops/Practical classes may also be scheduled depending on your programme.

For further exam information, check out our Online / Part-time Students Exams page here. Exams in semester one are normally held in January and semester two exams are held in May. 

As an online and/or blended student at ATU Donegal, you will have access to a range of applications, tools, and resources to support your learning. Blackboard, our virtual learning environment (VLE) will be one of the main platforms used.

Within Blackboard, you’ll locate your program modules, which contain subject-specific content and links to your online classes. Once you are fully registered, access to Blackboard and orientation support will be provided. In the meantime, you can view an introduction/overview of Blackboard in the videos below.

Participating in live online classes is highly recommended, to make the most out of your learning experience by actively engaging with your lecturers and fellow students. Lectures are recorded, however, and made available for later viewing should you miss a class.

From the Library team, we look forward to welcoming you to ATU Donegal in person and virtually. You can browse our online content and become familiar with how we can support you through the academic year.

Have a look at the range of guides about library services and resources.  There are also subject guides for each programme and recorded tutorials for independent learners.

Once you are registered you will be able to explore course resources including ebooks and online journals through the library website.

For online access to ATU Donegal library go to this link, then click on ATU Donegal.

Student ID cards are a useful source of identification and can prove your status to avail of student discounts.  You will upload your photograph as part of the student registration process in due course which will enable us to produce your I.D. card.

You will have your own ATU email address when you register as a student with ATU. It is important for students to regularly check their student email account as lecturers and almost all of ATU Donegal correspondence is communicated with students via their student email account. Before your course begins with ATU Donegal, you will receive instructions on how to access your student email account.

If you need to report any login problems, please use our IT Services Helpdesk.

The Communication Learning Centre provides guidance and assistance on all aspects of academic writing.

Supports Include;

• Initiating assignments: strategising, outlining, and structuring
• Navigating the writing process: brainstorming, drafting, revising, and editing
• Enhancing critical reading and proficient note-taking
• Formulating a compelling argument: encompassing critical reading, thinking, and writing
• Crafting reflective pieces, reports, and literature review write-ups
• Aiding in dissertation writing
• Fostering effective writing techniques for examinations
• Addressing plagiarism concerns
• Polishing grammar, punctuation, and spelling skills
• Study and exam support, including stress management and notetaking techniques
• Creative writing services (including scriptwriting) for students enrolled in humanities programmes

Booking an Appointment:
Consultations can be arranged by emailing clc.donegal@atu.ie

Note: The Communication Learning Service is available during term-time only

Supports Include;

• Small group tutorial support in Maths and Physics topics
• Limited individual consultations
• Exam revision support sessions
• Online support via Microsoft Teams and email
• Access to special resources including digital pencasts

Location: Room 3460
Email: lucia.ramsey@atu.ie or ben.george@atu.ie

Specific Learning Needs and Disability Services
If you have a particular learning need or a disability, please check out the following services available from the Access Office here and our staff will be able to assist you.  Register with this service early in the academic year so that a Learning Support Tutor can develop an individual support plan for you.

Student Support Services
The aim of Student Support Services at ATU Donegal is to provide a comprehensive and caring service, to help our students to achieve their full academic and personal potential. The Student Support Services Officer is available to see students about any personal, general or welfare issues.

For more information please visit our student supports webpage

As a Springboard+ funded Online Learner at ATU Donegal, you can reach out for assistance and support from our dedicated Springboard team at anytime.  They will answer any Springboard+ related queries you have and can provide information, support and guidance to you for the duration of your Springboard+ studies with us.

Contact:
springboard.donegal@atu.ie

For queries regarding Registration please contact: studentreg.donegal@atu.ie 

For queries regarding Fees please contact: feecollection.donegal@atu.ie