Hospital Pharmacy (M.Sc.)

NFQ Level 9
2 years part-time
2 years part-time, blended delivery
 15 Places
Max. 15 Places Places

Overview

Course Overview

Winner of the 2019 GradIreland Postgraduate Course of the Year Award in the Health Sciences Division, the M.Sc. in Hospital Pharmacy is the longest running postgraduate hospital pharmacy course in Ireland. It is also unique, in that it is the only broad-based hospital pharmacy course in Ireland, covering both clinical and non-clinical aspects of hospital pharmacy practice.

The M.Sc. in Hospital Pharmacy consists of a practice-based teaching programme complemented by lectures, tutorials and workshops. The course provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to undertake all aspects of hospital pharmacy.

Is This Course For Me?

Anyone interested in the study and practice of providing medications and other medical products to patients in a hospital setting should consider studying hospital pharmacy. This field requires a deep understanding of pharmacology, drug compounding, and regulatory compliance. Pharmacists specialising in hospital pharmacy are responsible for ensuring the safe and effective use of medications in the hospital setting.

Career Opportunities

The course provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to undertake all aspects of hospital pharmacy.

Course Structure

This is a two-year, part-time course with lectures and tutorials taking place on one half day per week in central locations. Courses are conducted on a biennial basis.

The course is delivered via a hybrid model, with a mixture of face-to-face and online learning. Students have access to Trinity’s online virtual learning environment (Blackboard 9.1).

Coursework is underpinned by a comprehensive practice-based element where students rotate through a variety of specialist areas to ensure that broad, practical experience is obtained in such areas as medicines information, dispensary, aseptic compounding and clinical specialities.

Assessment is on a continual basis through formal examinations, written assignments, oral presentations and competency-based assessments. Students are required to undertake a research project and must demonstrate research competency. Research and methodological skills are addressed in a dedicated module that also covers an introduction to statistical evaluation.

Course Content

The M.Sc. is divided into 9 modules

Practice of Hospital Pharmacy, a broad-based module, where all course components are drawn together (core clinical skills, professional and problem-solving skills, medicines information, and dispensary functions).

Medical Therapeutics I & II & Surgical Therapeutics, which analysyes the role of the pharmacist in the treatment of diseases and in the management of the surgical patient. These modules deal with the major therapeutic areas such as cardiology, respiratory etc. and are underpinned by the practice-based hospital rotations.

Aseptics & Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), to provide students with a fundamental understanding of aseptic processing in hospital pharmacy.

Medical Specialities Part I & II, deals with specialist areas e.g. renal, intensive care, neurology, psychiatry, and paediatrics. The importance of immunology and the emerging role of new and sophisticated biotechnology products are covered here. An introduction to gene therapy is also included.

Health Services Management, which covers general management issues pertaining to personal and professional development such as leadership, organisational and communication skills, negotiating skills, conflict management and teamwork. Quality and risk management, national trends and policies in relation to healthcare, and legal and ethical considerations will also be covered. Various guest lecturers contribute to this module. Pharmacoeconomics and its applications are covered here in this module.

Research Module: This aims to provide an understanding of research design and methodologies, and incorporates a practical statistics programme, with an emphasis on hospital pharmacy research and data analysis.

Click here for further information on modules/subjects.

Postgraduate study at the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Trinity

An overview of the opportunities for postgraduate study at the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in Trinity College Dublin.

Course Details

Awards

NFQ Level 9

Number of Places

 15 Places

Number of Places

Max. 15 Places Places

Next Intake

January 2026

Course Coordinator

Niamh McMahon

Closing Date

30th June 2025

Closing Date

30th April 2025

students working in library/>

Course Details

Awards

NFQ Level 9

Number of Places

 15 Places

Number of Places

Max. 15 Places Places

Next Intake

September 2025

Course Director

Niamh McMahon

Closing Date

30th June 2025

Closing Date

30th April 2025

students working in library/>

Admission Requirements

Eligible candidates must hold a first or second-class Honours (2.1) degree in Pharmacy, have experience working in hospital pharmacy practice and be registered (or eligible to be registered) with the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland. Applicants also require two references, one academic and one non-academic. Depending on the strength of course applications, some students will have to attend interviews to compete for clinical placements.

English Language Requirements

All applicants to Trinity are required to provide official evidence of proficiency in the English language. Applicants to this course are required to meet Band B (Standard Entry) English language requirements. For more details of qualifications that meet Band B, see the English Language Requirements page here.

Admission Requirements

Eligible candidates must hold a first or second-class Honours (2.1) degree in Pharmacy, have min. six months experience working in hospital pharmacy practice, which may include final year MPharm placement, and be registered (or eligible to be registered) with the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland. Applicants also require two references, one academic and one non-academic. Short-listed applicants will have to attend hospital interviews to secure training positions. Successful applicants will be based in full-time employment in one of the participating hospitals for the two-year duration of the course.

English Language Requirements

All applicants to Trinity are required to provide official evidence of proficiency in the English language. Applicants to this course are required to meet Band B (Standard Entry) English language requirements. For more details of qualifications that meet Band B, see the English Language Requirements page here.

Course Fees

Click here for a full list of postgraduate fees

Course Fees

Click here for a full list of postgraduate fees.

Apply

To apply, click on the relevant Apply Link below

Apply

To apply, click on the relevant Apply Link below

Get in Touch

Telephone Number

+353 (0)1 8963181

Ms. Niamh McMahon (course coordinator): nmcmahon@tcd.ie

Website

www.pharmacy.tcd.ie/postgraduate/msc_hospital.php

Get in Touch

Telephone Number

+353 (0)1 8963181

Ms. Niamh McMahon (Course Director): nmcmahon@tcd.ie

Website

www.pharmacy.tcd.ie/postgraduate/msc_hospital.php

Register Your Interest

Register your interest in studying at Ireland’s leading university, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin.

Register Your Interest

Register Your Interest

Register your interest in studying at Ireland’s leading university, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin.

Register Your Interest

Testimonials


“The Masters in Hospital Pharmacy has provided me with an extensive education in all areas of hospital pharmacy. The course is unique in that it provides face-to-face interaction with lecturers. I particularly appreciated the confidence I gained in my daily work, as I put into practice the up-to-date knowledge base that was delivered to the highest standard from lecturers. The course structure allows for the development of a comprehensive set of skills, both academic and practical, which have definitely stood to me in my career.”

Graduate

Hospital Pharmacy (M.Sc.)

NFQ Level 9
2 years part-time
2 years part-time, blended delivery
 15 Places
Max. 15 Places Places

Overview

Course Overview

Winner of the GradIreland Postgraduate Course of the Year Award (2019 ) in the Health Sciences Division, the M.Sc. in Hospital Pharmacy is the longest running postgraduate hospital pharmacy course in Ireland. It is also the only broad-based hospital pharmacy course in Ireland, covering both clinical and non-clinical aspects of hospital pharmacy practice, equipping pharmacists with the knowledge and skills to take on a range of advanced practice and leadership roles.

The M.Sc. in Hospital Pharmacy embraces an innovative, blended teaching style, with tutor-led, practice-based experiential learning, complemented by online webinars, pre-recorded lectures, and face-to-face lectures, tutorials and workshops. This highly interactive course provides students with the knowledge and practical skills necessary to undertake all aspects of hospital pharmacy: clinical, dispensary, aseptics services, medicines information and leadership/management.

Is This Course For Me?

Our MSc course arms graduates with the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes to take on a wide range of advanced specialist pharmacist, management and leadership roles. Students to undertake training in all aspects of hospital pharmacy, including clinical pharmacy, dispensary and drug distribution, administration and management, aseptic compounding, and medicines information.

Career Opportunities

Multi-functional graduates of our M.Sc. programme have excellent career opportunities to fill specialist and leadership roles across a wide range of both clinical and non-clinical areas in hospital practice. The wide variety of topics covered in our course open up multiple opportunities for graduates to take on a variety of roles, not only within the hospital sector, but also across the wider healthcare landscape e.g. medication safety, informatics, pharmacoeconomics etc.

Course Structure

This is a two-year course, delivered via a blended model (mixture of face-to-face study days, online live webinars and pre-recorded lectures), which provides flexibility for learners, who are also practising hospital pharmacists. Students have access to Trinity’s online virtual learning environment (Blackboard 9.1).
The MSc course is conducted on a biennial basis.

Coursework is underpinned by a comprehensive practice-based element where students rotate through a variety of specialist areas to ensure that broad, practical experience is obtained in medicines information, dispensary management, aseptic compounding and clinical specialities.

Students also undergo a competency-based training programme to assure competence in delivery of patient care, problem solving and personal competencies. This also helps students to develop the necessary skills for lifelong Continuous Professional Development (CPD).

Assessment of the course includes continuous assessment, practice-based coursework, written assignments, oral presentations, and completion of a research project and production of a paper for submission to a target journal, in either a clinical or non-clinical area, with both academic and hospital based tutor support.

Course Content

The M.Sc. is divided into 9 modules.

Practice of Hospital Pharmacy is a broad-based module, where all course components are drawn together (core clinical skills, professional and problem-solving skills, medicines information, and dispensary functions).

Medical Therapeutics I & II & Surgical Therapeutics, addresses the important role of the pharmacist in medicines optimisation, and also in the management of the surgical patient. These modules deal with the major therapeutic areas such as cardiology, respiratory, gastroenterology etc. and are underpinned by the practice-based hospital rotations.

Aseptics & Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), provides students with a fundamental understanding of aseptic processing in hospital pharmacy.

Medical Specialities Part I & II, introduces students to a wide range of clinical specialities, preparing them to take on Advanced Specialist Pharmacist (ASP) roles e.g. renal, intensive care, neurology, psychiatry, and paediatrics. The importance of immunotherapy and personalised therapeutics, and GMO medicines are also covered here.

Health Services Management, covers leadership, organisational and communication skills, negotiating skills, conflict management and teamwork. Quality and risk management, national trends and policies in relation to healthcare, and legal and ethical considerations will also be covered. Pharmacoeconomics and its applications are covered here in this module.

Research module covers principles of research design and methodologies, and incorporates a practical statistics programme, with an emphasis on hospital pharmacy research and data analysis.

Postgraduate study at the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Trinity

An overview of the opportunities for postgraduate study at the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in Trinity College Dublin.

Course Details

Awards

NFQ Level 9

Number of Places

 15 Places

Number of Places

Max. 15 Places Places

Next Intake

January 2026

Course Coordinator

Niamh McMahon

Closing Date

30th June 2025

Closing Date

30th April 2025

students working in library/>

Course Details

Awards

NFQ Level 9

Number of Places

 15 Places

Number of Places

Max. 15 Places Places

Next Intake

September 2025

Course Director

Niamh McMahon

Closing Date

30th June 2025

Closing Date

30th April 2025

students working in library/>

Admission Requirements

Eligible candidates must hold a first or second-class Honours (2.1) degree in Pharmacy, have experience working in hospital pharmacy practice and be registered (or eligible to be registered) with the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland. Applicants also require two references, one academic and one non-academic. Depending on the strength of course applications, some students will have to attend interviews to compete for clinical placements.

English Language Requirements

All applicants to Trinity are required to provide official evidence of proficiency in the English language. Applicants to this course are required to meet Band B (Standard Entry) English language requirements. For more details of qualifications that meet Band B, see the English Language Requirements page here.

Admission Requirements

Eligible candidates must hold a first or second-class Honours (2.1) degree in Pharmacy, have min. six months experience working in hospital pharmacy practice, which may include final year MPharm placement, and be registered (or eligible to be registered) with the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland. Applicants also require two references, one academic and one non-academic. Short-listed applicants will have to attend hospital interviews to secure training positions. Successful applicants will be based in full-time employment in one of the participating hospitals for the two-year duration of the course.

English Language Requirements

All applicants to Trinity are required to provide official evidence of proficiency in the English language. Applicants to this course are required to meet Band B (Standard Entry) English language requirements. For more details of qualifications that meet Band B, see the English Language Requirements page here.

Course Fees

Click here for a full list of postgraduate fees

Course Fees

Click here for a full list of postgraduate fees.

Apply

To apply, click on the relevant Apply Link below

Apply

To apply, click on the relevant Apply Link below

Get in Touch

Telephone Number

+353 (0)1 8963181

Ms. Niamh McMahon (course coordinator): nmcmahon@tcd.ie

Website

www.pharmacy.tcd.ie/postgraduate/msc_hospital.php

Get in Touch

Telephone Number

+353 (0)1 8963181

Ms. Niamh McMahon (Course Director): nmcmahon@tcd.ie

Website

www.pharmacy.tcd.ie/postgraduate/msc_hospital.php

Register Your Interest

Register your interest in studying at Ireland’s leading university, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin.

Register Your Interest

Register Your Interest

Register your interest in studying at Ireland’s leading university, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin.

Register Your Interest

Testimonials


“The Masters in Hospital Pharmacy has provided me with an extensive education in all areas of hospital pharmacy. The course is unique in that it provides face-to-face interaction with lecturers. I particularly appreciated the confidence I gained in my daily work, as I put into practice the up-to-date knowledge base that was delivered to the highest standard from lecturers. The course structure allows for the development of a comprehensive set of skills, both academic and practical, which have definitely stood to me in my career.”

Graduate