Course Title: Higher Certificate in Pharmacy Technician Studies
Students must demonstrate considerable prior knowledge in Science. Applications will be evaluated on a case by case basis.
All students will be vetted by An Garda Síochána
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 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.
This course prepares students for a profession as a Pharmacy Technician, and is completed in one year. It is a shortened version of the two year Higher Certificate in Science in Pharmacy Technician Studies (TU654), and has been designed for students with significant prior learning in Science. It develops practical, professional and academic skills required to assist in the various activities of the pharmacy, not requiring the professional judgement of the pharmacist. These skills include knowledge of prescription and non-prescription medicines, and how they are formulated and used to treat illnesses.
Students will develop medical knowledge to recognise common illnesses and communication skills to liaise with pharmacists and counsel patients on healthcare issues, including the various healthcare schemes available in Ireland. Students will gain experience in dispensing procedures and practices and be able to interpret prescriptions and prepare medicines for dispensing. They will be able to maintain patient records and operate pharmacy computer systems. They will also be able to supply non-prescription medicines in accordance with legislation and guidelines.
Study abroad opportunities
Students can avail of up to two months’ work placement in a pharmacy abroad.
Graduate Job Title
- 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.
Applications for this course are made directly to the University, and not through the CAO. For further information on how to make an application, please visit our CAO Hub.
Semester 1
- Nutrition and Health Studies
- Pharmaceutical Formulations
- Pharmacology and Therapeutics
- Pharmaceutical Microbiology
- Basic Business with IT skills
Semester 2
- Pharmacy Work Placement (6 months) - students can avail of up to two months' work placement in a pharmacy abroad.
Year long
- Pharmacy Practice I
- Pharmacy Practice II
- Professional Development ePortfolio
Finding the TU657 course is what gave me the push to pursue a career as a Pharmacy Technician. If this one-year programme had not been an option, I would not be a qualified Pharmacy Technician today. I decided to leave my full-time job in the pharmaceutical industry to take one year out to study, if it had have been the usual 2 years, this would not have been possible for me. Many of the lecturers were Pharmacists which was a plus as they were very helpful. I can’t recommend this course enough, if the criteria is right for you, either as a stepping stone in your career or to get you where you want to be as a Pharmacy Technician. I am now currently working in St. James’ Hospital as a Pharmacy Technician; this is also where I completed my work placement.
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 programmes at TU Dublin or other higher education institutions. Students who attain an Upper Merit are eligible to transfer to TU875 BSc Pharmaceutical Healthcare.