Pharmacy student at RCSI in white coat)

Pharmacy

BSc (Hons) MPharm
School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences

How to apply

All applicants to RCSI Undergraduate programmes are categorised as either EU or Non-EU, depending on whether or not they meet the EU applicant criteria (which includes nationality and residency criteria). If you do not meet the eligibility criteria for EU applicant status, you will be deemed a Non-EU student for fees and application purposes.

To ensure you complete the application process correctly, you will need to confirm your status as an EU applicant or a Non-EU applicant.

If you are not sure whether you are an EU or Non-EU applicant, please consult RCSI’s EU vs Non-EU policy.   

Under the Common Travel Area (CTA) between Ireland and the UK, UK citizens will continue to enjoy the same fee status that they have to date, post-Brexit. For the purposes of determining fee status, the UK should continue to be considered an EU Member State when completing the EU Nationality test.

If you have any questions, please contact the RCSI Admissions Office who can assist in verifying your status.

Please note:

The information below should be used as a guide only, regarding your EU or Non-EU applicant status. If, after working through the guide, you are still unsure of your EU or Non-EU status, you should refer to this policy for further guidance.

Alternatively, you may contact the RCSI Admissions Office who can assist in verifying your status.

Zingtree

Irish and EU applicants

Irish and EU School Leaver applicants to the MPharm programme must:

  • Apply to the programme through the Central Applications Office (CAO) website (RC005 (Undergraduate Pharmacy)) from 5 November to 1 February. Late applications are accepted until 1 May in the year of admission.
  • Be in their final year of school or have completed their Leaving Certificate (or an equivalent EU secondary school exit examination) prior to the year of admission to the programme.

Irish and EU Mature Entry applicants to the MPharm programme must: 

  • Be EU applicants
  • Be 23 years of age or older on 1 January of the year of admission to the programme.
  • Meet the minimum entry (matriculation) requirements.
  • Apply directly to RCSI from 1 November to 1 February of each year. 
  • Submit supplementary documentation and undergo an interview process prior to receipt of an offer by RCSI. Information on preparing for an interview can be found here.

Irish and EU Pharmacy Technician applicants to the MPharm programme must: 

  • Be EU applicants
  • Be 23 years of age or older on 1 January of the year of admission to the programme.
  • Meet the minimum entry (matriculation) requirements.
  • Present a Level 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications (HETAC Level 6) Pharmacy Technician qualification. 
  • Have at least three years post-qualification experience as a Pharmacy Technician
  • Apply directly to RCSI from 1 November to 1 February of each year. 
  • Submit supplementary documentation and undergo an interview process prior to receipt of an offer by RCSI. Information on preparing for an interview can be found here.

Irish and EU Graduate Entry applicants to the MPharm programme must:

  • Be EU applicants
  • Hold (or expect to hold by July prior to entry) a minimum second class honours (2H2) result in their first honours bachelor degree (NFQ level 8). This degree can be in any discipline. 
  • Present the NUI matriculation requirements in the Irish Leaving Certificate or equivalent, if presenting a non-science degree.
  • Apply directly to RCSI from 1 November to 1 February of each year.
  • Submit supplementary documentation and undergo an interview process prior to receipt of an offer by RCSI. Information on preparing for an interview can be found here.

Non-EU applicants - School Leaver/Graduate Entry

Non-EU students (excluding those residing in the USA/Canada) apply directly to RCSI via our website.

If you reside in the USA or Canada, please apply via our educational partner in North America, Atlantic Bridge. For more details on the correct application process, please see below.

RCSI works with a select group of agents in India for application to our Pharmacy programme (in addition to accepting direct applications from students based in India). For details of these agents please see below.

Applications for the September 2025 intake are now closed. Applications for September 2026 entry will open on 1 November 2025.

Please note: Applicants must have attained the age of 18 by 1 December following entry to RCSI. If you do not meet this requirement we will not be able to consider your application.

Please ensure that you read the below information carefully before starting your application. There is an application fee of €75 payable by credit card.

Applicants must:

  • Meet the minimum academic eligibility criteria (including English language requirements) for entry to RCSI’s MPharm programme, as outlined in the entry requirements.
  • Have attained the age of 18 by 1 December following entry to RCSI.
  • Apply directly to RCSI between 1 November and 15 January (in the year of admission to the programme). Following the initial closing date of 15 January, late applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until places have filled, however early application is advised.
  • Upload the following documentation as part of their application:
    • Certified copies of academic transcripts including English language transcripts (IELTS) if applicable
    • Non-academic references
    • Copy of passport showing name, nationality and date of birth.
    • A passport style photograph
    • Confidential academic referee* contact details
    • A personal statement (guidance on preparing your statement can be found here).
    • Documents which reflect your life experience (such as work/life balance, extracurricular activities, relevant work/voluntary experience etc.)

*Academic references: Applicants are required to nominate an academic referee as part of the application process. The Admissions Office will contact the referee and request that they provide a 'confidential academic reference'. The full name, title, position and contact details of the referee are required as part of the online application (please do not begin your application without these details). It is advisable therefore to inform the referee and seek their permission to nominate them as a referee.

Note for applicants based in India 
RCSI works with a select group of agents in India for applications to our Pharmacy programme. Please see contact details and website links for these agents below:

If you are working with one of the above agents, it is important that you complete your own application and include your own contact details. Please do NOT include the agent's contact details in your RCSI application. You will have the opportunity to confirm which of the above agents you are working with by choosing from a drop-down list as part of the online application process.

Note for Kuwaiti, Saudi Arabian and Omani nationals 
Kuwaiti, Saudi Arabian and Omani nationals who are under government scholarships must apply through their respective Ministries of Higher Education. Their files are then sent to RCSI for consideration by the relevant cultural offices in Dublin or London. For more information, please email the Admissions Office.

If you have any queries about your application please email the Admissions Office.

All Non-EU applicants residing in the USA and Canada should apply to RCSI through our educational agent partner, Atlantic Bridge.

Please note: Applicants must have attained the age of 18 by 1 December following entry to RCSI. If you do not meet this requirement we will not be able to consider your application.

Applicants must:

  • Meet the minimum academic eligibility criteria for entry to RCSI’s MPharm programme, as outlined in the entry requirements.
  • Contact Atlantic Bridge for guidance in advance of applications opening on 1 August prior to the year of admission.
  • Have attained the age of 18 by 1 December following entry to RCSI.
  • Complete and submit the Atlantic Bridge application within the deadline dates.
  • Submit all required documentation as outlined by Atlantic Bridge here. 

A US$50 application fee is payable to Atlantic Bridge by credit card.