Pharmacy Technician - Kerry
The course prepares students for a profession as a pharmacy technician and is delivered by leading scientists and pharmacists. It develops the practical, professional and academic skills required to assist in the various activities of the pharmacy. These skills include knowledge of prescription and non-prescription medicines and how they are formulated and used to treat illnesses.
| Award Name | Level 6 Higher Certificate (Level 6 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | Munster Technological University |
| NFQ Level | Level 6 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 6 Higher Certificate (Level 6 NFQ) | Major | Munster Technological University | Level 6 NFQ |
Duration
2 years full-time.
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Score the necessary CAO points and meet Leaving Certificate Minimum entry requirements
5 Subjects
Subjects O6/H7 5
Subjects H5 0
Maths Grade O6/H7
English or Irish Grade O6/H7
Garda Vetting Required
Leaving Certificate General Entry Requirements
Minimum entry requirements may be satisfied by the results of more than one Leaving Certificate. The minimum entry requirements may be varied for non-standard applicants and holders of QQI-FET awards.
2nd Chance Maths Exam
Some students who apply for MTU courses may not achieve the required entry standard in Maths through the Leaving Certificate examination. For such applicants, the University offers a second chance to reach the required entry standard through a MTU Maths Exam.
This second chance facility allows applicants (depending on their results in the MTU Maths Exam) to gain entry to courses with an Ordinary Leaving Certificate Maths entry standard and (with a higher level of performance) courses with a Higher Leaving Certificate Maths entry standard.
Common Bonus Points Scale for Higher Level Maths
A bonus of 25 points is awarded to applicants who achieve a grade H6 or above in higher level (HL) Maths.
Formula:
All students presenting H6 or above in HL Maths will have 25 points added to their score for Maths.
The six highest subject points scores will then be counted to achieve a cumulative points score, as is normal practice. The bonus points will only be relevant in cases where the subject HL mathematics (including bonus points) is scored as one of the candidate’s six best subjects for points purposes. Consequently, if HL mathematics (cumulative points score) is not among these six subjects, the bonus points will not be included in the total points score. Bonus points will be awarded irrespective of the year in which the examinations were taken.
Foundation Maths
A minimum grade of F2 in foundation level Maths fulfils the minimum entry requirements in Maths for the following programmes
A minimum grade of F2 in foundation level Maths fulfils the minimum entry requirements in Maths for the following programmes
MT 571 BA in Early Childhood Education and Care
MT 574 BA in Social Care
MT 654 HC in Arts in Hospitality Studies
MT 655 HC in Arts in Culinary Studies
MT 971 BA (Honours) in Early Childhood Education and Care
MT 974 BA (Honours) in Social Care
Maths is not required for entry to:
MT 575 BA in Community Development
MT 572 BA in Early Childhood Education & Care
MT 820 BA (Honours) in Contemporary Applied Art (Ceramics, Glass, Textiles)
MT 821 BA (Honours) in Fine Art
MT 822 BA (Honours) in Photography with New Media
MT 823 BA (Honours) in Visual Communications
MT 931 BA (Honours) in Popular Music - Electric Guitar
MT 932 BA (Honours) in Popular Music - Electric Bass Guitar
MT 933 BA (Honours) on Popular Music - Keyboards
MT 934 BA (Honours) in Popular Music - Drums
MT 935 BA (Honours) in Popular Music - Voice
MT 936 BA (Honours) in Music
MT 938 BA (Honours) in Musical Theatre
MT 939 BA (Honours in Theatre and Drama Studies
Although not a requirement, if an applicant achieves a minimum grade of F2 in foundation level Maths, this grade is recognised for entry and CAO points are awarded as follows: F1 = 20 points, F2 = 12 points.
Full details of the minimum entry requirements for courses are outlined on the relevant course webpage. Applicants are advised to check the relevant subjects, tests, portfolios, and dates very carefully. In particular, there are early assessment procedures for some courses.
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
Holders of the LCVP apply in the normal way through the CAO. Points are awarded on the same basis as for the Leaving Certificate. The link modules ‘subject’ may not be used to meet the minimum entry requirements.
Leaving Certificate Applied Programme LCAP
The LCA subjects do not meet the minimum requirements for entry to MTU full-time courses. Holders of Leaving Certificate Applied qualifications may wish to proceed to a FET-QQI course and in turn apply to third level on the basis of their FET-QQI award.
Careers / Further progression
Employment Opportunities
Pharmacy technicians secure employment in independent pharmacies and private and public hospital pharmacy departments. The one-year-add-on Level 7 Pharmacy Management and Practice gives pharmacy technicians the opportunity for career progression into pharmacy management or progression to a senior pharmacy technician position in a hospital pharmacy department
Further Studies
Suitably qualified Level 6 graduates will be eligible to progress to the BSc in Pharmacy Management and Practice, a one-year add-on programme leading to a degree at Level 7.
Further information
September 2026
32
Entry 2026
Early online application (discounted): Fee €35 Closing Date: 20 January 2026 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €50 Closing Date: 1 February 2026 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2026 CAO Handbook): Fee: €65 Closing Date: 1 May 2026 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2026 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2026 at 5pm
Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid making an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all application fees are non-refundable.
LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5pm on 1 February 2026. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2026, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2026 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2026 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €65 applies.
Restrictions
As a CAO applicant you may experience one or more of the following restrictions based on your course choices, your category of application, or restrictions imposed by the HEIs that you wish to apply to. Please read the section on 'Restrictions' on page 3 of the 2026 CAO Handbook carefully. This section includes information on:
General Restrictions
1. Making a late application
2. Making changes to your course choices
Restricted Courses
3. Applying for a restricted course
Mature Applicants
4. Mature applicants
Supplementary Admissions Routes
5. Applying for DARE and/or HEAR
A pharmacy technician plays a vital role in the operation of a pharmacy or pharmacy department. Pharmacy technicians are key healthcare workers. They aid the pharmacist with the dispensing and processing prescriptions, and the preparation, checking and storage of medicines. Pharmacy technicians can secure employment in retail pharmacies and in pharmacy departments in private and public hospitals. This NFQ level six, two-year course combines academic knowledge and real-world training in a pharmacy environment with work experience modules making up two semesters of the course.
The course prepares students for a profession as a pharmacy technician and is delivered by leading scientists and pharmacists. It develops the practical, professional and academic skills required to assist in the various activities of the pharmacy. These skills include knowledge of prescription and non-prescription medicines and how they are formulated and used to treat illnesses.
Central to the philosophy of this course is that graduates will attain a sound base in physiology and pharmacology. The course includes two pharmacy placements, which can be carried out either in a hospital pharmacy department or in a community pharmacy. This allows the opportunity for students to apply their theoretical knowledge and practical skills as a student in a real-world environment. Formal work placement makes up 50% of this course.
What will I study?
First Year at a Glance:
• Over the Counter Medicines: knowledge of over-the-counter medicines and how to treat common ailments that may present in a pharmacy
• Human Physiology: explains the structure of the human body - how physiological systems contribute to overall body function, and the relationships between basic physiology, exercise physiology and lifelong health
• Regulations and Dispensing: gives students the knowledge, skills and competencies required to work in a dispensary under the supervision of a pharmacist and outlines relevant legislation related to pharmacy
• Introductory Microbiology for Pharmacy Technicians: introduction to the diversity of microorganisms in the environment particularly those responsible for disease and methods of their control; the importance of aseptic techniques in preparation and production of medicines
• Pharmacy Administration and Personal Development: a basic insight into the role of a pharmacy technician to ensure that the student is able to work independently and as part of a team in a supervised work place environment
• Pharmacy Calculations: provides a thorough knowledge of the mathematics required for the successful working out of dosage calculation problems encountered in a pharmacy or pharmacy department.
Tel: +353 (0)66 7145606
Email: sciencekerry@mtu.ie