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 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. 

Work in this industry varies from dispensing over the counter medications, helping clients choose medical aids and appliances to demonstrating and selling cosmetics, perfumes etc. As well as a QQI qualification, learners complete the Irish Pharmacy Union’s Medicines Counter Assistant award.

This one year course is ideal for students who are passionate about science and medicine and prefer a hands-on approach to learning. You will study a range of science subjects at a practical level in modern science laboratories, with practical laboratory sessions forming an integral part of the programme. This course is suitable for learners who wish to work in a pharmacy or progress to university to study pharmacy.

This one-year course will equip learners with the relevant knowledge and experience to work as a pharmacy counter assistant or pursue a pharmacy technician qualification in the future. From dispensing over-the-counter medications, helping clients choose medical aids and appliances to demonstrating and selling products, this course covers the most relevant skills. This course will also focus on a range of health-related subjects relevant to employment as a pharmacy assistant. Work experience is within a retail pharmacy where, as a pharmacy assistant, you can work as part of a team of health professionals in order to help customers achieve the best possible health outcome.

This one year course would equip learners with relevant knowledge and experience to work as a pharmacy counter assistant or pursue a pharmacy technician qualification in the future. From dispensing over the counter medications, helping clients choose medical aids and appliances to demonstrating and selling products, this course covers the most relevant skills. This course will also focus on a range of health related subjects relevant to employment as a pharmacy assistant. Work Experience is within a retail pharmacy where as a pharmacy assistant, you can work as part of a team of health professionals in order to help customers achieve the best possible health outcome.

Applicants who would like to blend an interest in retail with science and who have an interest in health in the community will find this course a useful introduction to the world of pharmacy.

This course prepares students for work in Pharmacies, health stores etc. It also offers a platform to go on to study Pharmacy Technician courses at Third level.

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. 

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.

This course is modular with continuous assessment over the two years. Students will develop medical knowledge to recognise common illnesses and communication skills to liase with pharmacists and council patients on healthcare issues.

Students will gain experience in dispensing procedures and practices and be able to interpret prescriptions and prepare medicines for dispensing. They will be able to maintain patient records and operate pharmacy computer systems. They will also be able to supply non-prescription medicines in accordance with legislation and guidelines.

This two year course leads to a Pharmacy Technician Qualification. The Pharmacy Technician assists the pharmacist in the preparation, checking, storage and dispensing of drugs.

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.