University of Limerick equips students for AI age with new learning unit

THE University of Limerick has launched a new Transferable Skills Unit (TSU), aimed at equipping students with the core competencies needed for a lifetime of career transitions in an increasingly AI-powered, dynamic economy. 

The TSU, established within the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (AHSS), will support students on their academic journey and future career by equipping them with the essential skills, abilities and attributes needed to address the complex problems, which graduates now face both in the workplace and in society at large. 

It will meet market demand for graduate skills and will initially focus on seven transferable skills, with more to be added at a later stage. These seven transferable skills include critical thinking, collaboration, problem solving, creativity, communication, digital literacy and sustainability literacy. 

AHSS will offer three new programmes each with a distinct transferable skills component. These programmes include the BA Professional Pathways, MSc Communications, Emerging Technologies and Industry Practices, and Professional Diploma in Transferable Skills. The seven transferable skills will also be integrated within a range of existing modules on undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across the faculty.  

READ MORE: Limerick Council wins prestigious EU accolade for multimillion euro amenity

Prof. Chris McInerney, Director of the AHSS Transferable Skills Unit, said:

“The Transferable Skills Unit represents a major shift in how we prepare our students for the realities of working life. We’re focused on developing not just knowledge, but skills like creativity, curiosity, digital skills and a whole range of interpersonal skills and intrapersonal skills. They are the skills that enable people to deal with complex problems, both in the workplace, and in society. We want to enhance the employability of our graduates whether they are in their first job or second career.

Transferable skills are important because they allow students to make links and connections between what they learn. As a result, our graduates are in a better position to transition from life in university, but also to transition from one career to another.”

According to the World Economic Forum (WEF) three in ten (39%) core skills will change globally by 2030 (for Ireland that figure is 37%). The Transferable Skills Unit responds directly to this challenge, helping students become more agile, resilient, and future-ready.

The programme builds on the success of UL’s wider UL@Work programme, which supports upskilling, reskilling, and flexible learning pathways for professionals across sectors. 

For more information on the Transferable Skills Unit, visit here.