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Allied Health Professions
A number of Health and Science degrees in ATU offer pathways into careers such as Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech & Language Therapy and Diagnostic Imaging/Radiography.
Further Information (Sligo Campus)
Students generally choose one of two paths:
- Level 7- Exit our Level 7 programme after two years with a Level 6 Higher Certificate and pursue undergraduate studies in their preferred Allied Health Profession or complete the three year Level 7 ordinary degree and then pursue undergraduate studies in their preferred Allied Health Profession.
- Level 8– Complete our Level 8 honours degree and pursue Masters studies in their preferred Allied Health Profession.
Students who exit after three years with their Level 7 degree qualification or after two years with their Higher Certificate qualification are eligible to transfer to Irish, UK, Dutch and Belgian Universities for further undergraduate studies. The most common progression route universities from ATU Sligo are University of Salford, Ulster University, Robert Gordon University, Northumbria University, Glasgow Caledonian and University of Derby.
A huge benefit of our Health Science programmes is that they all contain exit and progression options. If a student has a change of mind and in hindsight decides that they want to pursue Health Promotion, Public Health or a more tailored Physical Activity degree, they can continue their studies with ATU Sligo. Additionally, the flexibility to change mind mid-stream is a huge benefit to undertaking our programmes. For example, we have seen students who were positive that they wanted to study Physiotherapy change to Occupational Therapy or Diagnostic Radiography after experiencing different module strands in the programme, or vice versa. This situation occurs each year, and it is extremely important to allow this flexibility.
Our Level 7 and 8 programmes also come with Professional Accreditation from the International Union for Health Promotion (IUHPE) and REPS Ireland, where students can graduate with embedded awards as a fitness instructor, personal trainer and exercise for health specialist.
Below are some student stories from recent graduates who have taken this route to the Allied Health Profession:

Niall Carr
When studying the degree I really enjoyed health promotion and public health, physical activity, exercise physiology, nutrition sciences and research methods. I love that after four years of study, I feel equipped with a unique blend of practical skills and knowledge in a broad range of health-related fields. The options at then end of the degree are amazing.
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Laura Dunleavy
The variety of modules was good as everyone found something that they enjoyed. I found the delivery of the course was very effective as it consisted of lectures, practicals, and workshops. I loved how the course also included awards that were built into it such as the fitness instructor award.
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Megan Creegan
The course is definitely a great asset to anybody thinking of studying physio, occupational therapy, radiography – to be honest the list goes on. Every single module I covered in my time in ATU Sligo – and I mean every single one – has helped me more than I could have even imagined in the physio course I’m currently studying. Everything I am studying now relates to what we were taught in Health and Exercise Science.
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Dearbhla Neenan
I really enjoyed the modules during my studies in ATU Sligo, but Functional Anatomy and Kinesiology was certainly my favourite. It was one of the modules most closely related to my current field of study.
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We also offer Masters studies in this area for any students wishing to progress their studies on our ATU campuses