Pharmacy student at RCSI in white coat)

Pharmacy

BSc (Hons) MPharm
School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences

Fees and funding

All applicants to RCSI Undergraduate programmes are categorised as either EU or Non-EU, depending on whether they meet the EU applicant criteria (which includes nationality and residency criteria).

If you do not meet the criteria for EU applicant status, you will be deemed a Non-EU applicant for fees and application purposes. It is important to establish your status before making an application as students retain their EU/Non-EU fee status for the duration of their studies.

To determine your EU or Non-EU applicant and fees category, please consult RCSI’s EU vs Non-EU policy

Irish and EU applicants

All RCSI Undergraduate degree programmes are covered under the Irish Government’s Free Fees Initiative.

Under the terms of the Free Fees Initiative, the Irish Exchequer will pay tuition fees on behalf of students who:

  • Meet the eligibility criteria for EU applicant status, as outlined in more detail above
  • Undertake a full-time undergraduate course of at least two years' duration
  • Are first time, full-time undergraduate students, and
  • Are not repeating the year due to failing exams or changing course (Note: This exclusion may be waived if repeating a year due to a certified serious illness.)

How much do I pay under the Free Fees Initiative?

  • The Free Fees Initiative covers the tuition component of your Undergraduate Pharmacy course fee
  • Students covered under Free Fees are required to pay the balance of non-tuition costs which are shown below
  • Important note regarding Year 5 of the RCSI's Pharmacy programme: as Pharmacy is an integrated degree programme (BSc and MPharm), the fifth and final year leading to the MPharm award is not covered under the Free Fees Initiative. The cost for the fifth year for those entering the Pharmacy programme in 2023 has not yet been confirmed, but is estimated to be approximately €9,000. 
  • Fees are set by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and have not yet been published for the 2024/25 academic year
  • Fees for the 2023/24 academic year are listed below as a guideline:
EU Pharmacy tuition fees Paid for by Free Fees
Student contribution charge* €2,000
IT fee** €475
Health screening charge*** (once-off charge) €380
NUI fee**** (once-off charge) €135
Total fees (for academic year 2023/2024) €2,990

Students who qualify for Free Fees and the SUSI Grant

EU Pharmacy tuition fees Paid for by Free Fees
Student contribution charge* Paid for by SUSI Grant
IT fee** €475
Health screening charge*** (once-off charge) €380
NUI fee**** (once-off charge) €135
Total fees (for academic year 2023/2024) €990

Note: If you are an Irish or EU student who does not qualify for Free Fees, you are liable for EU Fees.

How much do I pay if I am a School Leaver applicant liable for EU Fees?

  • Fees have not yet been published for the 2024/25 academic year
  • Fees for the 2023/24 academic year are listed below as a guideline:
EU Pharmacy tuition fees €4,892
Student contribution charge* €3,000
IT fee** €475
Health screening charge*** (once-off charge) €380
NUI fee**** (once-off charge) €135
Total fees (for academic year 2023/2024) €8,882

*The student contribution charge applies in all universities in Ireland and covers non-tuition costs such as library services, examinations, student support services, welfare and counselling services etc.

**The IT fee is an annual charge to cover the costs of providing significant IT support which is essential to the delivery of the Undergraduate programmes.

***RCSI has a duty of care to its students and to the patients with whom they engage. Students risk being exposed to blood-borne viruses (BBV) in the clinical setting throughout their academic programme. To minimise the risk of infection, students are required to undergo BBV screening and vaccinations in the first year of their studies. This is delivered through Mercer’s Medical Centre.  

****The Undergraduate Degrees issued by RCSI are the degrees of the National University of Ireland (NUI). This fee is a once-off registration fee with the NUI.

To qualify for Mature Entry or Pharmacy Technician status, you must be over 23 years of age on 1 January in the year of entry to the Pharmacy Programme. To be considered a Mature Entry or Pharmacy Technician student, you must also be an EU (which includes the EEA and Switzerland) applicant.

All RCSI Undergraduate degree programmes are covered under the Irish Government’s Free Fees Initiative.

Under the terms of the Free Fees Initiative, the Irish Exchequer will pay tuition fees on behalf of students who:

  • Meet the eligibility criteria for EU applicant status, as outlined in more detail above
  • Undertake a full-time undergraduate course of at least two years' duration
  • Are first time, full-time undergraduate students, and
  • Are not repeating the year due to failing exams or changing course (Note: This exclusion may be waived if repeating a year due to a certified serious illness.)

How much do I pay under the Free Fees Initiative?

  • The Free Fees Initiative covers the tuition component of your Undergraduate Pharmacy course fee
  • Students covered under Free Fees are required to pay the balance of non-tuition costs which are shown below
  • Important note regarding Year 5 of the RCSI's Pharmacy programme: as Pharmacy is an integrated degree programme (BSc and MPharm), the fifth and final year leading to the MPharm award is not covered under the Free Fees Initiative. The cost for the fifth year for those entering the Pharmacy programme in 2023 has not yet been confirmed, but is estimated to be approximately €9,000. 
  • Fees are set by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and have not yet been published for the 2024/25 academic year
  • Fees for the 2023/24 academic year are listed below as a guideline:

Students who qualify for Free Fees

EU Pharmacy tuition fees Paid for by Free Fees
Student contribution charge* €2,000
IT fee** €475
Health screening charge*** (once-off charge) €380
NUI fee**** (once-off charge) €135
Total fees (for academic year 2023/2024) €2,990

Students who qualify for Free Fees and the SUSI Grant

EU Pharmacy tuition fees Paid for by Free Fees
Student contribution charge* Paid for by SUSI Grant
IT fee** €475
Health screening charge*** (once-off charge) €380
NUI fee**** (once-off charge) €135
Total fees (for academic year 2023/2024) €990

Note: If you are an Irish or EU student who does not qualify for Free Fees, you are liable for EU Fees.

How much do I pay if I am a Mature Entry or Pharmacy Technician applicant liable for EU Fees?

  • Fees have not yet been published for the 2024/25 academic year.
  • Fees for the 2023/24 academic year are listed below as a guideline:
EU Pharmacy tuition fees €7,150
Student contribution charge* €2,750
IT fee** €475
Health screening charge*** (once-off charge) €380
NUI fee**** (once-off charge) €135
Total fees (for academic year 2023/2024) €10,890

*The student contribution charge applies in all universities in Ireland and covers non-tuition costs such as library services, examinations, student support services, welfare and counselling services etc.

**The IT fee is an annual charge to cover the costs of providing significant IT support which is essential to the delivery of the Undergraduate programmes.

***RCSI has a duty of care to its students and to the patients with whom they engage. Students risk being exposed to blood-borne viruses (BBV) in the clinical setting throughout their academic programme. To minimise the risk of infection, students are required to undergo BBV screening and vaccinations in the first year of their studies. This is delivered through Mercer’s Medical Centre

****The Undergraduate Degrees issued by RCSI are the degrees of the National University of Ireland (NUI). This fee is a once-off registration fee with the NUI.

EU Fees

Graduate Entry Pharmacy applicants to the MPharm programme are not covered under the Irish Exchequer Free Fees Initiative on the basis that these students have already completed a Level 8 undergraduate degree. As a result, Graduate Entry students are either liable for EU or Non-EU Fees, depending on their EU status.

How much do I pay if I am a Graduate Entry applicant eligible for EU Fees?

Fees have not yet been published for the 2024/25 academic year. Fees for the 2023/24 academic year are listed below as a guideline.:

EU Pharmacy tuition fees €7,150
Student contribution charge* €2,750
IT fee** €475
Health screening charge*** (once off charge) €380
NUI fee**** (once off charge) €135
Total fees (for academic year 2023/2024) €10,890

*The student contribution charge applies in all universities in Ireland and covers non-tuition costs such as library services, examinations, student support services, welfare and counselling services etc.

**The IT fee is an annual charge to cover the costs of providing significant IT support which is essential to the delivery of the Undergraduate programmes.

***RCSI has a duty of care to its students and to the patients with whom they engage. Students risk being exposed to blood-borne viruses (BBV) in the clinical setting throughout their academic programme. To minimise the risk of infection, students are required to undergo BBV screening and vaccinations in the first year of their studies. This is delivered through Mercer’s Medical Centre

****The undergraduate degrees issued by RCSI are the degrees of the National University of Ireland (NUI). This fee is a once-off registration fee with the NUI.


Non-EU applicants

If you are unsure whether you are an EU or Non-EU applicant, please consult the EU vs Non EU Policy for guidance. 

You can also contact the RCSI Admissions Office directly to verify your fees status, however, this must be done well in advance of the closing date.

How much do I pay if I am a School Leaver or Graduate Entry applicant eligible for Non-EU Fees?

Non-EU fees for the 2024/25 academic year are listed below.

Non-EU Pharmacy tuition fees*  €18,000
Health screening charge** (once off charge) €380
NUI fee*** (once off charge) €135
Total fees (for academic year 2024/25) €18,515

*Non-EU Fees are €25,000 per annum. RCSI provides academic scholarships of €7,000 per annum to all privately-funded students through the RCSI Development Initiative, reducing the overall tuition fee to €18,000 per annum.

**RCSI has a duty of care to its students and to the patients with whom they engage. Students risk being exposed to blood-borne viruses (BBV) in the clinical setting throughout their academic programme. To minimise the risk of infection, students are required to undergo BBV screening and vaccinations in the first year of their studies. This is delivered through Mercer’s Medical Centre

***The Undergraduate Degrees issued by RCSI are the degrees of the National University of Ireland (NUI). This fee is a one-off registration fee with the NUI. 


Fee payment

The following fee payment process applies to applicants:

  • Incoming students (first year):  A minimum of 50% of fees are due prior to registration, with the balance due by 31 January.
  • Returning students (from second year onwards): In subsequent years, 50% of fees are due prior to the start of the academic year, with the balance due by 31 January.
  • Fee payment methods: Fees are normally paid by electronic funds transfer, which is the best and fastest payment method. Further information on fee payment methods can be found in the student finance section.