Course Summary
The programme enable existing regulatory affairs personnel in the pharmaceutical regulatory industry to understand all current diagnostic and medical device regulations and develop the necessary skills to work successfully in the dynamic world of regulatory affairs.
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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
A second-class honours degree in science, engineering, quality, pharmaceutical or regulatory affairs or cognate areas. Those failing to meet the classification requirement may be eligible for entry to the Postgraduate Diploma.
Candidates with significant experience in: pharmaceutical operations ,quality engineering, device design, mid to senior management in industry, other professionals who wish to upskill in the regulatory affairs environment, regulatory affairs personnel themselves who want to upskill (as determined by the Institutes recognition of prior learning policy), in addition to an honours primary degree in another discipline area may also be considered for entry.
Application Details
Next intake: September 2025.
Fees
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.
Administrative
Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.
They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.
Career Progression
Opportunities for graduates from this programme include progression to Level 10 (PhD) programmes in related fields of study.
According to a report from the Forfás Expert Group on Future Skills Needs,Ireland is emerging as a leading location for biopharmaceuticals with a mix of start-ups, high growth SMEs and large multinationals located here.
Industry leaders including Pfizer, Eli Lilly, Sanofi, MSD (biologics based in Carlow) and Alkermes plc. have significant investment in Ireland which has facilitated rapid growth and development of the industry.
These coupled with a strong generics industry (Wockhardt, Clonmel Healthcare both based in the South-East) provide prospective employment opportunities for graduates and key engagement partners for the programme.
More than 85 pharmaceutical companies (including nine of the top 10) operate over 100 facilities in Ireland. The industry exports around$85 billion worth of products each year and is now one of the largest exporters of pharmaceuticals in the world. This programme is designed to meet the growing demand for scientists to service the current and emerging biotechnology-based industries in Ireland in particular, the South-East, Mid-East and Midlands.