Pharmacy - Sligo
This MPharm programme is a five-year, full-time, Level 9 Master of Pharmacy programme based at the Sligo campus. This future-focused programme is designed to develop well-rounded pharmacists with the knowledge and skills for contemporary pharmacy practice.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | National University of Ireland |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | Degree - Masters (Level 9 NFQ) |
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | National University of Ireland |
| NFQ Level | Level 9 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | National University of Ireland | Level 8 NFQ |
| Degree - Masters (Level 9 NFQ) | Major | National University of Ireland | Level 9 NFQ |
Duration
5 years, full time.
Specific Subjects or course requirements
At least six subjects must be presented to include:
Minimum Entry Requirements PLUS
• Maths at O4/H6
• English O6/H7
• Chemistry or Physics/Chemistry H4
• Physics or Biology or Applied Mathematics or Geography or Geology or Computer Science or Agricultural Science at H4.
• Physics/Chemistry may not be presented with Chemistry or Physics to satisfy requirements.
• Garda Vetting
Honours Degree (Level 8)
6 leaving Certificate subjects
A minimum of two subjects at grade H5 or better
Remaining subjects at grade O6/H7 or better
Subjects must include either English or Irish.
Mathematics is a required subject.
Leaving Certificate General Entry Requirements
Students who achieve grade H6 or better in the Higher (Honours) maths exam will receive 25 additional points. Bonus points will also apply to Honours maths results from previous years. For maths results from 2016 and earlier, applicants will need to have achieved a grade of HD3 or better to qualify for bonus points.
Maths
Maths with a minimum grade of O6/H7 or F2* is the minimum requirement for most programmes. However, there are a few programmes for which Mathematics is not an entry requirement and others for which foundation maths may not be sufficient or for which the minimum grade required is higher, e.g. H5 or better. It is important to check individual programme descriptors for specific maths requirement.
* Foundation Level Mathematics is accepted for the purposes of entry requirements in the case of any programme where Higher or Ordinary Level Mathematics is not a requirement.
Foundation maths at and above grade F2 (80%) is accepted as meeting the maths requirement for most, but not all, programmes. Typically, foundation maths is not accepted for our engineering, education or nursing programmes. Nor is foundation maths accepted for some ab initio level 8 programmes. Please check individual programme descriptors to see the minimum maths requirement.
Where accepted, points for qualifying Foundation Maths are:
FI 20 points
F2 12 points
Qualifying Maths Programme
ATU runs a qualifying maths programme, Enabling Maths, for applicants who are otherwise eligible but who do not meet the maths requirement for the programme to which they may have applied.
The programme is typically held online after the Leaving Certificate results become available. Please see the ATU website for details of dates and times. Passing a qualifying maths programme at ATU will compensate for failure to matriculate in maths via the Leaving Certificate or equivalent school-leaving exam. Passing a qualifying maths course will not compensate for any other deficit in the entry requirements. Students passing the Enabling Mathematics Course will be eligible for a place on ATU programmes where the Maths entry requirement is Ordinary Level Maths at 06/H7.
There are some programmes where the Enabling Mathematics course is not accepted for entry.
In all cases applicants must meet the other minimum entry requirements and the current points for the programme they wish to attend. Entry requirements will vary depending on your chosen programme
Careers / Further progression
Career Opportunities
This MPharm programme enables graduates to work as pharmacists in Ireland. It offers diverse and rewarding career pathways to graduates, who will have opportunities to work in clinical roles in community and hospital pharmacies, across the pharmaceutical and MedTech industries, as well as in regulatory policy, academic, research, and management roles.
Further Study Options
Under the Pharmacy Act 2007, pharmacists must engage in continuous professional development (CPD) to maintain competency through ongoing education and training. ATU MPharm graduates will be wellprepared for further study across pharmacy disciplines, including clinical pharmacy at MSc or PhD level.
Further information
September 2026
ATU reserve a quota of places for mature students on all programmes. Applicants must apply through the Central Applications Office and must be over 23 on January 1st of the calendar year of application. Mature applicants are not required to have met the standard entry requirements and are assessed based on their relevant work/life experience and any accredited courses they have completed. As part of the CAO mature application process applicants must provide a detailed statement of interest. Please visit atu.ie/mature and cao.ie/mature
Additional specific requirements apply to some programmes e.g submission of an e-portfolio for some Art programmes and sitting a mature applicant assessment test with the NMBI for Nursing programmes. Please refer to the relevant Undergraduate course page on atu.ie for specific requirements.
Mature Applications are considered in CAO Round A (early July). Mature applicants will not normally be considered after Round A where the quota has been met. If the quota remains unfilled after Round A additional offers for this quota may be made in subsequent rounds.
If English is not your first language, proof that you meet the English Language Requirement must be provided. Details of acceptable proof can be found on the CAO website.
All mature applicants will be assessed on previous qualifications and their personal statements. For high demand programmes, applicants will be ranked in order of merit or called for interview. Mature applicants applying for nursing will be selected on the basis of an external test organised by the Nursing Board. Please check individual programme descriptions for more information.
36
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
This MPharm programme is a five-year, full-time, Level 9 Master of Pharmacy programme based at the Sligo campus. This future-focused programme is designed to develop well-rounded pharmacists with the knowledge and skills for contemporary pharmacy practice. The programme meets the mandatory requirements set out in pharmacy law, enabling students to develop the competencies necessary to become a registered pharmacist and practice in Ireland. It integrates evidence-based clinical pharmacy practice with cuttingedge healthcare and pharmaceutical sciences research.
Special Features
Over five years, students will learn from pharmacists, clinicians, and other experts, while undertaking structured placements across pharmacy and healthcare. Alongside mandatory placements, the programme includes scheduled site visits and workplace experiences to enhance understanding of pharmacy practice, health services, and the pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, and MedTech industries.
Quick Fact
Each subject will include lectures, labs, workshops, and practical classes, enabling students to see how all the learning fits together. Students will gain significant experience in the Model Pharmacy and Pharmacy Professional Practical Centre, using dispensing systems, practising interactions with simulated patients, and using clinical equipment, so that graduates are confident and competent to undertake these roles in clinical practice.
Professional Accreditation
At the time of printing, this programme is in the final stages of approval by the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI).
What will I study?
Year 1
• Physiology of the Human Body and Drug Action
• Pharmaceutical Chemistry
• Cellular Regulation of the Human Body
• Pharmacy Practice 1
• Physical Properties of Drug Molecules
• Pharmaceutics 1 and 2
• Microbiology and Infectious Disease
Year 2
• Medicines From Bench to Patient
• Natural Sources of Medicines
• Pharmacy Practice 2
• Pharmacology and Clinical Therapeutics
• Drug Molecules and Biopharmaceutics
• Pharmaceutics
Year 3
• Pharmacology and Clinical
Therapeutics
• Pharmacy Practice 3
• Public and Population Health
• Sterile Products and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
• Advanced Therapeutics
• Advanced Formulation and Delivery
Year 4
• Work Placement
• Professional Practice
• Professional Personal Skills Development
• Organisation and Management Skills
• Research Project
• Industrial Pharmacy
• Evidence Informing Practice
• Advanced Pharmaceutical Care
Year 5
• Current and Emerging Challenges
• Professional Practice and Public Health
• Innovation in Drug development
• Advanced Integrated Pharmacy Skills
• Research Project
• Work Placement
• Supply of Medicines, Organisation and Management
• Leading Safe Use of Medicines
A fee will apply to the 5th Year of the programme.
pharmacy.sligo@atu.ie