Higher Certificate in Science in Pharmacy Technician Studies

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

There is a work placement element to this course. 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.

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.