RCSI MPharm students in dispensing lab)

Pharmacy

BSc (Hons) MPharm
School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences

Why Pharmacy at RCSI Dublin?

Pharmacists are experts in the safe and effective use of medicines and play a vital role in patient care across community, hospital and industry settings. Their work goes far beyond dispensing and includes personalised medication management, health screenings, vaccinations and chronic disease management, while also working closely with wider healthcare teams to ensure the best outcomes for patients.

It is an exciting time for pharmacy in Ireland, as recent developments recognising pharmacists’ expertise have expanded their role into areas such as prescribing. Pharmacists can now prescribe for a range of common conditions, paving the way for further role expansion.

Our clinically-focused MPharm programme places the patient at the centre of everything we do. It prepares you for an evolving profession, with prescribing and other advanced practice elements embedded in the curriculum, ensuring RCSI graduates are ready for expanded roles in Ireland and beyond.

Pharmacy is a growing and in-demand profession, driven by an ageing population and increasingly complex medicines. This five-year integrated programme awards both a BSc (Hons) and a Master’s degree, qualifying you to practise in Ireland and across the EU, and opening the door to a wide range of rewarding career opportunities including:

  • Community pharmacy
  • Hospital pharmacy
  • Pharmaceutical industry
  • Medical research and development
  • Regulation
  • Academia

Introduction to Pharmacy webinar

Do you want to become a future-focused pharmacist and an expert in medicines and their safe and effective use in patients and across the healthcare system? Join us online on Wednesday, 15 April to learn about our five-year, innovative, internationally-recognised and portable MPharm degree. 

Register now

Watch a video

What makes our Pharmacy programme distinctive?

Future-ready pharmacy

It is an exciting time in pharmacy with prescribing now part of a pharmacist’s role. RCSI graduates will be most prepared for new pharmacy landscape as we already incorporate prescribing training into our teaching.

Patient-focused

We bring theory to life. Learn clinical skills and how to interact with patients from the first year of the programme and avail of the real-world experience of our patient-facing teacher practitioners who bring real life examples.

Healthcare specialists

We are experts in training healthcare professionals. You will study alongside future colleagues in Medicine, Physiotherapy and Dentistry, ensuring the multidisciplinary nature of patient care is reflected in your education.

Career readiness

The modern, highly-integrated curriculum of the MPharm ensures that you are fully-qualified to practice as a pharmacist in Ireland or elsewhere in the EU immediately after completing your degree.

State-of-the-art facilities

Practice your clinical skills in our state-of-the-art patient-centred care lab and in one of Europe’s largest and most modern clinical simulation facilities in the heart of Dublin city centre.

Overseas electives

Students have the opportunity to participate in overseas electives as well as research and exchange programmes with our partner institutions in China, France, Japan and the United States.

RCSI’s BSc Pharmacy (Hons) is a major award positioned at Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). It is accredited by the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI), the National University of Ireland (NUI) and by RCSI.

RCSI’s MPharm is a major award positioned at Level 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). It is accredited by the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI), the National University of Ireland (NUI) and by RCSI.

Top 200 QS Subject Ranking in Pharmacy and PharmacologyQS Ranking in Pharmacy and Pharmacology medal logo

RCSI is ranked in the Top 200 QS Subject Ranking in Pharmacy and Pharmacology 2025. The QS index features over 1,500 higher education institutions across more than 100 locations.

That RCSI is ranked so highly for pharmacy is testament to our research reputation, the learning and teaching environment at RCSI, our research impact and our approach to internationalisation.


School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences

Established in 2002, RCSI's School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences is renowned for its innovative teaching methods and research activity. The School offers the integrated five-year Undergraduate MPharm programme, as well innovative career-focused four-year science degree, BSc in Advanced Therapeutic Technologies. Additionally, an MSc in Technologies and Analytics in Precision Medicine is aimed at postgraduate students interested in building a career in the new and exciting discipline of precision medicine.

Read more about the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences.

Download prospectus for Undergraduate study at RCSI Register your interest