The Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy Technician Studies is a 60-credit Level 7 add-on degree designed to expand the scope of practice for qualified pharmacy technicians. Aligned with the Irish Government's Sláintecare healthcare framework—which emphasizes chronic disease prevention, patient self-management, and community-based care—this programme equips pharmacy professionals to deliver safe, effective medicines optimization and personalized healthcare in an ethical, responsible manner. Designed for graduates holding a Level 6 Higher Certificate in Pharmacy Technician Studies or equivalent, the course builds advanced clinical, managerial, and therapeutic capabilities essential for modern community and hospital pharmacy teams.
Practical Learning & Flexible Delivery
The programme is structured to suit both full-time students and working professionals, offering flexible scheduling alongside interactive, practice-based learning:
Flexible Delivery Formats: Available as a 1-year full-time programme (2 contact days per week) or a 2-year part-time programme (1 contact day per week).
Interactive Methodology: Training utilizes hands-on practical classes, problem-based learning scenarios, clinical case studies, peer discussions, and collaborative group projects.
Transferable Professional Skills: Ongoing development of professional written and verbal communication, critical evaluation, research methodologies, and multidisciplinary teamwork.
Coursework
The advanced curriculum covers specialized therapeutic areas, healthcare management, and quality control principles in pharmacy practice:
Specialized Patient Care & Therapeutics: Disease management and pharmaceutical care in cardiovascular health, diabetes, respiratory conditions, allergies, dermatology, wound healing, and mental health awareness.
Specialized Care & Infection Control: Managing patients with special nutritional requirements, contamination control, and infection prevention protocols.
Pharmacy Operations & Quality Management: Quality assurance systems in pharmacy, purchasing strategies, digital marketing, first aid, and emergency medicine response.
Career Opportunities
Graduates earn an advanced Level 7 degree that elevates their professional role within healthcare environments and opens routes to senior practice or further academic study:
Senior Pharmacy Technician in Community & Hospital Pharmacies
Progression to Level 8 Honours Degree Programmes in Related Health or Pharmaceutical Sciences
Upon completion of the add-on degree, graduates possess the advanced scientific knowledge, clinical communication skills, and operational expertise needed to take on expanded responsibilities within evolving pharmacy teams.
Year 1
Semester 1
Semester 2
Control of Contamination and Infection
Identifying and managing patients with special nutritional needs
Mental Health Awareness
Dermatology and Wound Healing
Respiratory / Allergy Patient Care
Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes Patient Care
Pharmacy Purchasing and Digital Marketing
Quality Management for Pharmacy
Pharmacy First Aid and Emergency Medicine
M is a mandatory subject - E is an elective subject
A Level 6 Higher Certificate in Pharmacy Technician Studies from the SETU Carlow or other Higher Education Institute, IPU Pharmacy Technician Course or equivalent.
Graduates from the BSc in Pharmacy Technician Studies will have the knowledge, skills and competencies to work as Pharmacy Technicians as part of a multi-disciplinary Pharmacy team in Ireland and beyond. Pharmacy Technicians have the appropriate pharmacy specific, scientific and interpersonal skills to provide the best possible care in safe medicines management.
