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

Apply now for Pharmacy

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 6 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.

We strongly recommend you refer to the Irish and EU School Leaver application timeline before completing your application.

Irish and EU school leaver application timeline PDF | 170.3 KB
Applications for the September 2024 intake are now closed. Applications for entry in 2025 will open on 1 November 2024.

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.

We strongly recommend you refer to the application timeline before completing your application.

Irish and EU Mature Entry, Pharmacy Technician and Graduate Entry application timeline PDF | 641.8 KB
Applications for the September 2024 intake are now closed. Applications for entry in 2025 will open on 1 November 2024.

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.

We strongly recommend you refer to the application timeline before completing your application.

Irish and EU Mature Entry, Pharmacy Technician and Graduate Entry application timeline PDF | 641.8 KB
Applications for the September 2024 intake are now closed. Applications for entry in 2025 will open on 1 November 2024.

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.

We strongly recommend you refer to the application timeline below before completing your application.

Irish and EU Mature Entry, Pharmacy Technician and Graduate Entry application timeline PDF | 641.8 KB

Non-EU applicants - School Leaver/Graduate Entry

Non-EU students (excluding those residing in the USA/Canada) apply directly to RCSI via our website. Applications open on 1 November and close on 1 February in the year of admission to the programme. 

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.

School Leaver applicants for pharmacy Graduate applicants for pharmacy

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 1 February (in the year of admission to the programme). Late applications will be accepted until 30 April, however early application is advised.
  • Upload the following documentation as part of their application:

*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.

Please note: 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.

We strongly recommend you refer to the Non-EU (excluding USA/Canada) application timeline before completing your application.

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

Non-EU (excluding the USA/Canada) application timeline PDF | 164.1 KB
Apply now for pharmacy

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 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, as outlined in the application timeline.
  • Include the following documentation in their Atlantic Bridge applications:
    • Two letters of recommendation or one committee letter
    • A personal statement on 'Why I would be an asset to the School of Pharmacy and the pharmacy profession' (guidance on preparing your statement can be found here)
    • Official transcripts
    • One recent passport-sized photograph (colour or black and white)
    • Any additional documentation specified by Atlantic Bridge.

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

We strongly recommend you refer to the Non-EU (residing in the USA/Canada) application timeline before completing your application.

Non-EU (residing in the USA/Canada) application timeline PDF | 173.3 KB