Science - Pharmaceutical Science with Drug Development - Sligo
Our programme produces highly skilled and employable graduates equipped with scientific, analytical and transferable skills to assume positions of responsibility in the diverse and expanding area of pharmaceutical science in Ireland and beyond.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | Atlantic Technological University |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | Atlantic Technological University | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
4 years full-time.
Specific Subjects or course requirements
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
Graduates have a broad but thorough background in chemical, biological and technological disciplines relating to the study of medicinal products. Graduates work in a diverse range of roles in the pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, biomedical and medical device sectors in areas such as formulation, analysis, validation, production, quality systems and legislation and regulatory affairs.
Further Study Options
Level 8 graduates may pursue a wide range of Level 9 and Level 10 postgraduate programmes in ATU or other higher education institutions.
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.
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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
Pharmaceutical science is a broad, ever-evolving field, combining a range of scientific subjects that are vital in the discovery, design, development, processing and manufacturing of a diverse spectrum of drugs and therapies. Our programme produces highly skilled and employable graduates equipped with scientific, analytical and transferable skills to assume positions of responsibility in the diverse and expanding area of pharmaceutical science in Ireland and beyond.
Special Features
Level 8 students benefit from a work placement in Year 3 where they can apply their learning and skills across a range of world-leading companies. This can be for four months or a full year. Some students have taken the opportunity to travel to the USA, Italy, Malta and the UK to complete their work placement. This applied multidisciplinary programme allows students to develop a range of skills covering scientific, engineering, regulatory and quality issues, as well as delivering excellent communication skills. Modules are based around the core pharmaceutical sciences but with emphasis also placed on modern technology and advances within the sector.
Did You Know?
Ireland continues to be the third largest exporter of pharmaceuticals globally, accounting for €116+ billion in exports annually according to IDA Ireland. In April 2025 RTÉ reported that over 50,000 people are employed in the BioPharma industry in Ireland and 90+ companies operate here. With 19 of the world’s top 20 companies based in Ireland, the demand within the pharmaceutical and medtech industries for skilled graduates is at an all-time high.
Quick Fact
Students can apply for an Abbott Excellence and Science Award, where students can get an internship and work experience with one of the many leading pharmaceutical companies in our region.
What will I study?
Year 1
• Mathematics for Science
• Physics
• Chemistry
• Biology
• Introduction to Pharmaceutical Science
• Introduction to Drug Discovery and Development
• Information Technology
Year 2
• Microbiology
• Organic Chemistry
• Inorganic Chemistry
• Physical Chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Introduction to Biopharmaceuticals
• Organic Chemical Synthesis
• Pharmaceutical Analytical Methods
• Pharmaceutical Microbiology
• Environmental Health and Safety
Year 3
• Pharmaceutical Processing and
Medical Device Manufacture
• Biopharmaceuticals
• Pharmaceutical Chemistry
• Pharmaceutical Pre-Formulation Studies
• Scientific Communications
• Statistics for Scientists
• Pharmaceutical Formulation
• Pharmaceutical Quality Systems
• Pharmaceutical Analysis
• Active Ingredient Synthesis
Year 4
• Industry Placement
• Biopharmaceutical Analysis
• Advanced Organic Chemistry
• Pharmaceutical Project
• Pharmaceutical Research Methods
• Pharmaceutical Legislation
• Pharmaceutical Operations Excellence
• Pharmaceutical Pharmacology
• Drug Structure
• Compliance Auditing & Validation
cao.sligo@atu.ie