'The perfect balance between work and study': Flexible courses helped Mark get his Master's while working full-time

The Journal

25-05-2025

WHETHER YOU'RE LOOKING to upskill or are simply a lifelong learner, don't let working full-time get in the way of your academic aspirations.
Mark Flannery, who is employed full-time by the HSE as a Fire Prevention Officer, returned to education in 2022 to complete a Master's degree in
Built Environment Regulation
. The course is one of 96 offered by ATU in the discipline of engineering, which enables students to avail of part-time, online and flexible learning.
The course is tailor-made for those who have full-time work commitments. Tutorials, project work, and assessments are conducted in person across three-to-four Saturdays each semester, giving students the chance to collaborate with one another and gain direct face-to-face insights from lecturers.
Lectures, on the other hand, are delivered online and recorded so that they can be revisited by students at a time that best suits their schedule.
Conor Doherty
Conor Doherty
Mark was looking to step into roles where he could contribute to building compliance, which he says he has done 'within a short timeframe'.
'I realised that to make a meaningful contribution to the healthcare building estates sector… I needed a deeper understanding of the environmental, regulatory, and the challenges facing modern infrastructure,' Mark said. That's when he decided to pursue the Built Environment Regulation course at ATU, which is professionally accredited by the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE).
Mark, who graduated from ATU in 2011 with an Honours Degree in Construction Management, spoke highly of how the flexible learning offering by ATU facilitated his journey to a postgraduate qualification.
'I found the flexibility of studying online a significant factor in completing my Master's. The element of catching up on lectures that I may have missed attending due to personal or work commitments was very helpful,' Mark said.
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'The course allowed the perfect balance between work and study as I had the opportunity to incorporate some work projects as part of the course assignments.'
Asked what advice he would give to prospective students on how to approach the Built Environment Regulation course, Mark said: 'My advice is to approach it with both a practical mindset and a curiosity for building regulations and sustainability.
'Also, build relationships with lecturers and, more importantly, fellow students, many of whom bring professional experience to the table. Their insights can be just as valuable as the formal content.'
The
Built Environment
Regulation
course
offers several modules that are highly relevant to multiple disciplines, including architecture, engineering, surveying and construction management.
Perhaps most importantly, Mark found that the material covered by the course studies was relevant to his real-world work.
'The course bridges technical engineering principles with the real-world complexities of the built environment,' Mark said. 'So I found to make the most of the project work and case studies, as they often reflected real planning and development challenges in my workplace.'
Mark further noted that the course had benefited his career, taking on more responsibility in a short timeframe, making him 'more versatile and better positioned for leadership'.
If you're currently on a similar journey — wondering how you might be able to upskill, upgrade your CV, or perhaps even switch careers — ATU's part-time, online and flexible learning programmes could be the best investment you ever make.
ATU's Built Environment Regulation programme was designed with flexibility at the core, which enhances the ability to gain a Level 9 qualification at your own pace and in your own time. These part-time, flexible learning courses will help you develop the skills you need to stand out. View
our
Built
Environment Regulation Courses here
.
Atlantic Technological University have over 470 part-time, online & flexible learning courses now open for applications for a September 2025 start. We equip learners at all stages with the skills they need to move beyond their expectations with their career and life ambitions. Download
our
Prospectus
2025/26
.