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Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT) is the only higher education institution (HEIs) in the Midlands of Ireland. Established in 1970, it has expanded in size, scope and influence over the period. There are currently 5,700 full-time and part-time students in AIT studying a broad range of courses offered by the institute’s four schools of business, engineering, humanities and science.

Postgraduate programmes at AIT are available on a full- and part-time basis, with a growing number of taught and research based offerings available.

The institute’s appeal for postgraduate students can be traced to the quality of programmes offered, excellent postgrad research facilities, its highly accessible and centralised location, supports provided for students and its attractive modern campus. In addition to Irish students, 10 per cent of the student population is drawn from Europe, Asia, North America and the Middle East.

AIT has established partnerships and agreements with over 220 universities and third level institutions around the globe. The institute is a participant on the International Centre for Graduate Education in Micro- and Nano-Engineering (ICGEE), together with 13 other partners from Europe, America and Asia.

According to successive surveys, AIT graduates do exceptionally well in securing well-paid, quality employment. Some 98 per cent of graduates are employed or continuing their education within six months of completing their programme of study.

Research capacity and capability is being continually expanded in Athlone. AIT has three strategic research institutes: in materials engineering (MRI), biomolecular sciences (BRI) and software engineering (SRI). Further research clusters exist at school level. The research institutes, which have developed international collaborations with leading multinational companies and universities in Europe, Asia and the US, have attracted significant multimillion euro funding. In 2008-09, it is expected that this will be in excess of €7.25 million.

Assisting in the economic, social, cultural and environmental development of the region is also a strategic priority for AIT. The institute plays a major role in fostering and developing entrepreneurial activity in the Midlands Gateway/region. The Midlands Innovation and Research Centre (MIRC), located on campus, operates as a converging hub for innovation, research and enterprise. It provides incubation facilities for innovative and knowledge-based enterprises, an enterprise programme for entrepreneurs and start-ups, and makes available the resources and expertise of the institute to support client companies.

In addition, AIT is in the top three HEIs nationally in driving innovation among small Irish firms through their participation in the Enterprise Ireland-supported innovation voucher scheme.

The excellence of its sporting and social facilities has been widely recognised and they are used by a large number of organisations. The institute was successful in its bid to host the National Finals of the HSE Community Games, which will be held in Athlone from 2009.

• Master of Accounting
• Master of Business
• Master of Business Administration
• Professional Accounting exams – Final stage ACCA
• Master of Science in Applied Polymer Technology
• Master of Science in Software Engineering
• Master of Arts in Child and Youth Care
• Postgraduate Diploma/Master of Science in Science Education (Primary Science)
• Postgraduate Diploma/Master of Science in Environmental, Health and Safety Management
• Master of Science in Toxicology

Research activity is a vital part of what we do at AIT. Opportunities for postgraduate studies by research are offered in the following areas:

• Accounting and Finance
• Ad Hoc Networking
• Biopolymer and Biomolecular Research
• Business Computing
• Business Studies
• Cell and Molecular Toxicology
• Design and Visual Communications
• Digital Signal Processing
• Disease Models
• Drug Discovery/Drug Delivery Systems
• Ecotoxicology and Environmental Science
• Languages
• Leisure and Tourism
• Marketing
• Mobile Applications
• Novel Materials for the Medical Device Industry
• Quality Validation
• Social Care and Related Areas
• Software Engineering
• Software Systems Design
• Speech Coding and Enhancement
• Telecoms Software
• Tissue Models/Engineering