Course Summary
The MSc in Analysis of Pharmaceutical Compounds is a one-year course designed to provide you with the theoretical and practical skills for employment in a diverse range of industries that require analytical expertise.
College Link
Career Sectors
This course prepares you for working in the Career Sectors below. Follow the links to get a fuller understanding of the sectors you are preparing for.
Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements - Direct Entry
Applicants must have a Second Class Honours Grade 1 in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) in a subject(s) related to that of the MSc programme. Relevant subjects typically include any subject in Chemistry, Engineering or Life Sciences.
Applicants with a Second Class Honours Grade 1 in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) in other related areas of science and technology, or with proven and relevant industrial experience, may be considered for admission under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) following assessment and interview.
Compulsory modules may be assigned to individuals depending on their background.
For Applicants with Qualifications Completed Outside of Ireland
Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.
International/Non-EU Applicants
For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.
In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.
Note that not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above. For more information contact the International Office.
English Language Requirements
Applicants who are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements. Visit our PG English Language Requirements page for more information.
Application Details
Closing Date: Rolling deadline. Open until all places have been filled. Early application is advised.
Non-EU Closing Date
Open until all places have been filled or no later than 15 June. Early application is advised.
Start Date 7 September 2026
The Student
Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.
Investigative
The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.
Career Progression
The MSc courses aim to provide you with the necessary skill set to develop methods and solve problems as demanded by many industries today (including pharmaceutical, environmental and forensic analytical laboratories). You are also introduced to research and innovation in analytical science.
Many analytical chemists, pharmaceutical chemical analysts and environmental chemical analysts go on to pursue careers in industry, government and forensic laboratories and opportunities for further research often result.
The course sets out to bridge the gap between the current undergraduate degree knowledge and what is relevant and expected by the industry. There is a strong emphasis on developing transferable skills and ensuring that the career path for the student is either industry or academically focused. A large percentage of students gain employment in the industry after completion of the course, however, a number of graduates also decide to progress to international Ph.D. opportunities.