Courses
Micro-credentials
What is a Micro-Credential?
A micro-credential is a short, accredited course that allows learners to study flexibly and to choose modules to suit their own professional development or skills needs. They are also referred to as Special Purpose Awards, Minor Awards, and Supplementary Awards.
These short-duration courses, requiring a relatively low time commitment, typically range from 5 to 30 credits. They offer an ideal pathway for returning to education, gaining new skills, or enhancing existing ones, all in a flexible and accessible format.
Among the areas they cover are Business & Industry, Environmental Sustainability, Healthcare, Engineering & Construction, Computing, and Quality.
ATU is pleased to offer part-funded places on over 40 of our micro-credential courses, supported through the HCI Pillar 3 Micro-Credential Learner Fee Subsidy initiative in higher education.
Micro-Credential Quick Guide 2025
Download a digital copy of our Micro-Credential Quick Guide
“When I started a new role with a healthcare company, I realised there were opportunities there to enrol in micro-credential courses to gain new skills and to add to things I was learning in the workplace.
“I chose a micro-credential course because it was an opportunity to study while I was working, and to supplement it with the on-the-job learning that I was doing. From the point of view of everyday life, it was also much more manageable – working, having a young family, and still having the opportunity to learn.”
Dominic McGinley, Certificate in Health Data Analytics
Boost Your Skills with 50-80% Funding for Micro-Credentials at ATU!
To apply for a funded micro-credential course at ATU, click on the course webpage link below and follow the instructions on how to apply there.
Take advantage of this incredible funding opportunity to upskill or reskill with ATU’s flexible micro-credential courses. These short, focused programmes are tailored to your career needs and are available with significant funding support.
With between 50% to 80% part-funding received under the Human Capital Initiative (HCI) Pillar 3, ATU can offer part-funded places on 40+ of our micro-credential courses through the HCI Micro-Credentials Learner Fee Subsidy initiative in higher education. Other funding supports include Skillnets, DASBE, Springboard +.
For full details on Fees & Funding, please check out our guide at atu.ie/fees-funding
“It was an amazing experience to do this micro-credential outside of my work and then, at the end of it, to be able to implement so much of what I have learned through this course.
“I would highly recommend people to do it, even just to become more aware that you can be a factor or mitigator of change in your own life. So, I definitely would say do it.”
Lisa Regan, The Sustainable Development Goals, Partnership, People, Planet and Prosperity
Upskilling for the Future of Work
At ATU, we develop courses aligned to industry and societal demand. Our graduates are equipped with the skills and confidence to progress in their chosen career, with excellent opportunities nationally and internationally.
For example, with the top 10 global biopharmaceutical companies located in Ireland, industry demand for continuous professional development is evident
ATU is only recognised as a leader in delivering accredited qualifications in areas of bioprocessing, biomedical science, and biopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical sciences, but also in other areas such as industry, medical device technology, project management, environmental sustainability, healthcare, sport, and education.
💡 How to Apply: Visit the course webpage below and follow the instructions to secure your place. Please note, you can only register for one course at ATU per academic year (September–May), including micro-credentials.
“The Access and Use course caught my eye as it is something I have a great interest in. I am a district inspector for the Office of Public Works and quite a lot of my professional work is making sure we are compliant with building regulations. So, having that additional knowledge aids me when making decisions when I am out and about.
“Academically, I found that it is a great bonus on the CV. There are a couple of areas I am interested in pursuing after my current course and having the Access and Use micro-credential completed is going to benefit me getting onto those. I am delighted with the results; it has been a fantastic course.”
Craig Gibbs, Certificate in Access and Use (Part M, B, K, DAC, Universal Design)
ATU aligns with the European Commission’s recommended definition of a micro-credential:
“A micro-credential is the record of the learning outcomes that a learner has acquired following a small volume of learning. These learning outcomes have been assessed against transparent and clearly defined standards. Courses leading to micro-credentials are designed to provide the learner with specific knowledge, skills and competences that respond to societal, personal, cultural or labour market needs. Micro-credentials are owned by the learner, can be shared and are portable. They may be standalone or combined into larger credentials. They are underpinned by quality assurance following agreed standards in the relevant sector or area of activity.”
Learn about all Micro-credential, Minor Awards, Special Purpose Awards available at ATU
Education, Design & Humanities
