FAQ’s Six Sigma Green Belt

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Who is the Six Sigma Green Belt course aimed at?
Answer: This course is aimed at those working in either manufacturing or service industry.  You would need to be in a position to complete a Six Sigma Green belt project with an employer as this is a requirement to successfully complete the course.

Q2: What are the prerequisites for the Six Sigma Green Belt course?
Answer: Applicants are expected to have a Leaving Certificate or equivalent due to the Statistics covered in the course syllabus.  Applicants must also be in a position to carry out a Six Sigma green belt project with an employer.

Q3: Is there an induction programme for new students?
Answer: If you are commencing the course in September, it is recommended that you attend our 2 day online induction days during the third week in September.

Q4: How long does the course last?
Answer: The course Duration is 2 semesters. The course will run from September – December and from Jan – April each year. Students can enrol in either September or January.

Q5: How many hours of lectures are there per week?
Answer: There are 2-3 hours of lectures delivered live online over the Internet each week.  These are also recorded so you can watch them anytime if you cannot attend the live lecture.

Q6: How much study time is required per week?
Answer: For each module we recommend approx 5 hours per week study time although if you are already familiar with some of the topics from your experience, this will be less.

Q7: How often do I need to attend IT Sligo?
Answer: Normally there is one workshop per semester held at IT Sligo. All lectures are delivered live online each week and recordings are also available if you cannot log in to the live lecture.  You will also have to sit exams at the end of the semester and present on your Six Sigma green belt project.

Q8: What is included in the course?
Answer: You will have full access to online course notes and online live lectures. The textbook cost is approx €20 and will have to be purchased by the student.

Q9: Are there any grants available for course fees?
Answer: Currently there are no grants available for this course. Many students have their company sponsor them as the IT Sligo course is competitively priced. Should grants become available we will notify all applicants.

Q10: Does the course fee include VAT?
Answer: There is no VAT on training courses in Ireland so the fee shown on the website is the total amount payable.

Q11: What type of exams are needed to pass this course?
Answer: There is a 3 hour written exam for each Six Sigma 1 & 2 module. For the Six Sigma 3 module there is a project presentation and report. There is also an external online Green Belt exam which you need to pass within 6 months of completing the course.

Q12: If I fail in any of the exams, what is the provision to repeat?
Answer: Repeat exams are held in August each year. There is a nominal repeat exam fee – approx €50. You can repeat exams twice.

Q13: What will be the HETAC level of credits I will receive by completing this course?
Answer: You receive 15 credits at Level 7 if you successfuly complete all three modules.

Q14: Do I have to take all three module in one year?
Answer: Modules can be studied over a longer period of time if required – up to 2 years. For example you can take the Six Sigma 1 & 2 modules during the first year and the Six Sigma 3 module in the second year.   You will receive 5 credits each single module you successfully complete.

Q15: I am studying for a Quality degree in IT Sligo.  Are there any exemptions for the Green Belt award?
Answer: The following are the exemptions based on the degree you are studying:

Level 7  BSc Quality – You receive 3 exemptions – You need to enrol in the following modules:
1) External Green Belt exam

Level 7 BSc Manufacturing Management – You need to enrol in the following modules:
1) Six Sigma 2 – Statistical Control
2) External Green Belt exam

Level 8 BSc Quality Mgmt & Technology – You need to enrol in the following modules:

1) Six Sigma 3 -  Project
2) External Green Belt exam

However even though you are exempt from some modules, you would need to review the Six Sigma Green Belt syllabus and carry out your own self study on any areas you need to revise.

Q16: What is involved to undertake the Six Sigma Green Belt project?

Answer: The Six Sigma work based project aims to provide students with the opportunity to apply and integrate skills and knowledge you have gained on the programme. The project will be undertaken by the student and should address a substantive issue in the workplace. The project will test the student’s ability to define a real-life problem of concern to the organisation, design a strategy for addressing the problem, gather data, formulate and evaluate options and make recommendations. The project should follow the Six Sigma DMAIC methodology. While it is recommended that the problem is addressed as part of a cross-functional team, it is important that the student makes a significant contribution to the success of the project.

Examples of projects that qualify:

•       Manufacturing product defect reduction
•       Human resources recruitment cycle-time reduction
•       Reduced accounts payable invoice processing costs
•       Reduced machine setup time
•       Design related project using DFSS

Projects that do NOT qualify:

•      Projects that do NOT follow the DMAIC methodology and use of associated tools.
•      Pre-packaged or classroom exercises that are mock or simulated projects that were previously completed and/or that do not include actual “hands on” work
•      Any project without measured before-and-after cost benefits
•      Research type projects