View the contact page for more contact and location information
Email academic.registry@tcd.ieWinner 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.
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.
The course provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to undertake all aspects of hospital pharmacy.
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.
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.
An overview of the opportunities for postgraduate study at the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in Trinity College Dublin.
January 2026
Niamh McMahon
30th June 2025
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.
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.
Click here for a full list of postgraduate fees
To apply, click on the relevant Apply Link below
+353 (0)1 8963181
Ms. Niamh McMahon (course coordinator): nmcmahon@tcd.ie
Register your interest in studying at Ireland’s leading university, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin.
The Master's 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
