Pharmacy is the study of all aspects of drugs, both natural and synthetic in origin, including their chemistry, their uses in medicines, and how they work within the body.

Pharmacists work in a variety of settings – community pharmacies, hospitals, long-term care facilities, and within the pharmaceutical industry, to name just a few. In many respects, their role as a key healthcare professional is to help people achieve the best results from their medications.

Optional Fifth Year:
M.Sc. (Pharm) Master's Degree (NFQ Level 9) Optional.

This programme prepares students for the future of pharmacy by teaching data analytics and advanced clinical skills, preparing you for future expansion of the role of pharmacists.

5-year leading to MPharm (level 9- required to be a pharmacist)

This programme is specifically designed to prepare students for modern practice by covering science, healthcare, professional practice, research, leadership, along with experiential placement, in an integrated way. Patient care and professionalism are central to the programme, in all its teaching and learning activities.

A pharmacist is a healthcare team member specifically concerned with drugs and medicines. Pharmacy at UCC provides the confidence, skills, and knowledge to make a difference in the pharmaceutical arena.

The aim of the pharmacy programme is to provide you with an outstanding experience that allows you to become a pharmacist, and a leader in healthcare and innovation. You will be able to demonstrate the competencies for professional practice as a pharmacist.

We have revised the programme based on our years of experience, in consultation with students, patients, employers and other key stakeholders. The programme is accredited by the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland for registration as a pharmacist in Ireland. 

The course prepares students for a profession as a pharmacy technician and is delivered by leading scientists and pharmacists. It develops the practical, professional and academic skills required to assist in the various activities of the pharmacy. These skills include knowledge of prescription and non-prescription medicines and how they are formulated and used to treat illnesses.

The main aim of this course is to provide you with the appropriate multi-disciplined skills and theory to enable you to play a key role in both community and hospital pharmacies. In addition to lectures, the course contains a strong practical element and you spend ten weeks of placement each year in a community or hospital pharmacy. 

Our Higher Certificate in Science in Pharmacy Technician is a two-year course that enables you to gain professional, managerial and technical knowledge to pursue a career in either hospital or retail pharmacies. The main aim of this programme is to introduce you to the required theoretical and hands-on skills to work in a pharmacy setting, and to contribute effectively to the enterprise. 

There are many employment opportunities in community and hospital pharmacies, as well as openings in medical sales for pharmaceutical suppliers.

In this course, you’ll acquire knowledge of prescription and non-prescription medicines, and how they’re formulated and used to treat illnesses. You’ll develop the medical knowledge needed to recognise common illnesses, as well as the communication skills to liaise with pharmacists and counsel patients on healthcare issues, including the various healthcare schemes available in Ireland.

A pharmacy technician is a key member of the pharmacy team, involved in assuring the smooth and safe functioning of pharmacy services by assisting the pharmacist in the preparation, checking, storage and dispensing of drugs.

This course offers the opportunity to engage in depth with questions of metaphysics (about the fundamental nature of reality), epistemology (the theory of knowledge), ethics (theories of right and wrong), political philosophy (the nature of the just state), philosophy of mind (questions about thought, language and reason) and various other areas. 

The Baccalaureate in Philosophy (BPhil) is a full-time Level 8 award. The programme provides an opportunity to study Philosophy in the Christian and Western intellectual traditions.

Philosophy is essentially about dialogue and discussion, about giving reasons and examples, about counter-arguments and counter-examples. We read the work of great philosophers, but we also challenge their arguments and conclusions. Although all the modules are based on lectures, many of these are highly interactive. In addition, philosophy is rare in the university for offering small-group tutorials for all of its modules.

Philosophy, Political Science, Economics and Sociology (PPES), offers a coherent and integrated introduction to the study of social sciences and philosophy. It brings together some of the most important approaches to understanding society and, in doing so, develops skills for a range of future careers and activities.

PPE provides a broad and deep understanding of how a society works, and indeed how international society works. It examines the complex economic and political forces in play, the problems of measuring and assessing the health of society, and the principles of justice that should guide political decision-making to improve society.

PPE will teach students how to read beyond media headlines, and where to find more information about the hot policy questions of the day, in national and international contexts.

Philosophy

This course offers the opportunity to engage in depth with questions of metaphysics (about the fundamental nature of reality), epistemology (the theory of knowledge), ethics (theories of right and wrong), political philosophy (the nature of the just state), philosophy of religion (reasoning about God), philosophy of mind (questions about thought, language and reason) and various other areas. We teach courses which have both systematic and historical emphases and in the higher years students can choose options and get to write a thesis on a topic of their own choice.

Students combine this subject with their choice of French, German or Russian.

Philosophy

This course offers the opportunity to engage in depth with questions of metaphysics (about the fundamental nature of reality), epistemology (the theory of knowledge), ethics (theories of right and wrong), political philosophy (the nature of the just state), philosophy of religion (reasoning about God), philosophy of mind (questions about thought, language and reason) and various other areas.

Sociology

If you want to understand the social changes taking place in the world today, and you are curious about people and society, then Sociology is for you. You will also gain the ability to understand topical issues and to present and communicate information and thoughts coherently.

The arrival of affordable digital cameras has stimulated widespread interest in photography, presenting the professional photographer with both new opportunities and challenges.

This course will prepare you for a career in professional photographic media practice, as well as the broader visual arts sector. It will equip you with key skills, while encouraging you to reflect on your actions and practices.

Explore how new technologies and methodologies are synthetising into photographic practice and their impact on contemporary approaches to image making. Learn and explore multiple avenues of inquiry that incorporate traditional documentary practice, digital image making, experimental film and software-based work. Develop best practice and skill sets for storytelling through the lens.

This programme has a distinct professional emphasis. You will develop the creative, technical and critical analysis skills required for the photography, video and media industry. You will learn how to use a wide range of traditional and emerging photography, video and media equipment, and technologies. You will be using the latest and most up-to-date lens-based software and hardware.

This course draws upon expertise from psychologists, nutritionists, exercise and sport scientists, and public health professionals to provide you with the knowledge and skills to improve the general health of various sectors of society using exercise courses, physical activity and nutrition. While bringing together the social, behavioural, biological and biomedical sciences to facilitate the development and improvement of existing interventional techniques. Being physically active and having a healthy diet are important for people of all ages to maintain their health and well being. 

The BA (Hons) in Physical Education Studies aims to equip learners with the knowledge, skills, and specific expertise to pursue successful leadership roles in sports-related or business contexts. A key focus of this program is to provide graduates with the knowledge and applied skills to develop, implement and manage inclusive physical activity programs that promote healthy eating, lifestyle management, and overall wellness.

The modules comprising this study of Physical Education are mapped on the programme’s key themes of physical activity, lifestyle and wellness, and business. The programme includes an integrated work placement or study abroad option and culminates in an applied research consultancy project in the fourth year.

The BSc (Hons) in Physical Education Studies with Business is designed to enable students to create, plan and deliver curricula, which integrate practical expertise and theoretical knowledge, appropriate to teaching Physical Education and Business, to a diverse range of learners in an educational context.

Do you really enjoy getting active while also having a passion for subjects such as biology and science? This course is a brilliant opportunity to blend your interests in a substantive way and go on to make a positive impact on society through education. Once you graduate, you can teach PE and Biology up to Leaving Cert level, and Science for Junior Cert level, or choose from a wide range of other exciting career paths.

This course offers a unique blend of academic subjects, taught in a way that emphasises learning through practical experiences. During the course, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of the content, theory, and skills of different physical activities (such as athletics, games, aquatics, dance, and outdoor activities), biology, science and education. You’ll also improve your communication, leadership, and critical thinking skills.

Future-proof your life
In both third and fourth year, you’ll do a comprehensive professional school placement and you can also choose to study overseas through the Erasmus programme.

The Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education with Business programme will offer a comprehensive education in the dynamic intersections of physical education and business, catering to the growing demand for professionals in these fields both in Ireland and internationally.

The programme is designed to ensure, that upon completion, graduates will be equipped to pursue a variety of careers in PE, business education, sport and general business. The aim of this program is to provide and empower students with the essential skills, expertise and proficiencies required to thrive in the realm of physical education and business.