Pharmacy Technician StudiesStaidéar Teicneora Cógaslainne

Leaving Certificate Requirements

QQI/FET Requirements

In addition to the QQI minimum entry requirements, QQI quotas and QQI points apply. The max QQI points awarded is 390. Further details at www.tudublin.ie/qqi

Mature Applicants

Applications from mature students (23+) are welcome. Further details at www.tudublin.ie/mature

English Language Requirements

If English is not your first language you will need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency as detailed on our website. Applicants for this course should have a minimum IELTS (Academic Version) English Proficiency of 6 overall (or equivalent) with nothing less than 6 in each component.

Course Description

The pharmacy technician studies course has been a winner of GradIreland AHECS Employability Award 2023, National DELTA (Disciplinary Excellence in Learning, Teaching and Assessment) Award for 2021-2024, DELTA Award for 2018-2021 and TU Dublin Le Chéile Award 2021. In this course, you’ll gain the practical, professional and academic skills you need to assist in the various activities of the pharmacy that do not require the professional judgement of the pharmacist.

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.

You’ll gain experience in dispensing procedures and practices, be able to interpret prescriptions and prepare medicines for dispensing; maintain patient records and operate pharmacy computer systems and supply non-prescription medicines in accordance with legislation and guidelines.

You’ll also get theoretical and practical training in basic sciences, including biology, chemistry, microbiology, maths, and pharmacology. These subjects support the pharmacy technician profession, and also provide a pathway to higher qualifications, including the BSc in Pharmacy.

Work Placement

You’ll take part in a pharmacy placement in a hospital or community pharmacy so that you can apply your theoretical knowledge and your skills.

Note: The work placement is flexible; time allowances can be accumulated working in a pharmacy throughout the course. Prior experience in a pharmacy can be considered as part of the placement. Payment for this placement is not guaranteed and is subject to arrangement between you and the placement pharmacy.

On graduation, you’ll be equipped to progress to ordinary and honours degree courses in TU Dublin.

Graduate Job Titles

• Pharmacy Technician

Graduate Employers:

• Community Pharmacies
• Hospital Pharmacies

What the industry says:
Pharmacy technicians are essential to the effective, efficient and safe running of hospital pharmacy services. They work with pharmacists to manage the purchasing, storage, supply and distribution of medicines to all the wards and departments in the hospital, thereby ensuring patients receive the medicines they need during their hospital stay. They also work in the hospital’s aseptic compounding unit, preparing doses of medicines for patients. As hospital pharmacy services become more complex, the opportunities for pharmacy technicians are changing and expanding. Graduates from TU Dublin are consistently well prepared to work as pharmacy technicians and to contribute to the ongoing development of hospital pharmacy services.

Please note, there is no advanced entry to this course.

The Pharmacy Technician Studies course has been a remarkable grounding in the sciences and labs, and has provided me with a diverse amount of knowledge in the area of pharmacy and pharmacy-related subjects… The camaraderie in the class was wonderful and the structure of the course, with its large emphasis on labs, ensures team work, which helps forge great relationships.. The academic experience has exceeded my expectations and has led me to apply for a pharmacy degree and I thank the course for paving the way for my passion in the area.

Progression opportunities for further study exist, including Pharmacy Degree in the UK and Ireland, and NFQ Level 7 or Level 8 pharmaceutical and scientific degree courses at TU Dublin or other higher education institutions. Students who attain an Upper Merit are eligible to transfer to TU875 BSc Pharmaceutical Healthcare.