Pharmacy Master of Pharmacy

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Atlantic Technological University Sligo

Program Overview

The Master of Pharmacy at Atlantic Technological University is a five‑year integrated degree designed to prepare students for professional pharmacy practice, combining rigorous academic study with hands-on clinical experience. It is ideal for students who are passionate about healthcare, science, and patient care, offering a pathway to become fully qualified pharmacists both in Ireland and across the EU.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
Students begin with foundational studies in pharmaceutical sciences, biology, and chemistry, including modules such as Introduction to Pharmaceutical Science, Human Anatomy and Physiology, and Organic Chemistry. This year builds essential scientific knowledge and laboratory skills, while introducing students to professional ethics and healthcare systems.

Year 2:
The focus moves to drug mechanisms, formulation, and early clinical skills with modules like Pharmacology I, Pharmaceutics I, and Pathophysiology. Students gain deeper insight into how medicines interact with the human body and start applying their learning in simulated patient-care scenarios.

Year 3:
This year emphasizes advanced pharmaceutical sciences and therapeutics through modules such as Pharmacology II, Pharmaceutics II, and Clinical Pharmacy Practice. Students engage in practical labs, case studies, and initial experiential placements, bridging theory with real-world pharmacy practice.

Year 4:
Students refine clinical and professional skills with Pharmacy Practice, Clinical Therapeutics, and Research Methods in Pharmacy. Extensive placements in community and hospital settings allow students to integrate patient-centered care, medication management, and interprofessional collaboration.

Year 5:
The final year consolidates learning and focuses on leadership, professional practice, and advanced therapeutics with modules including Advanced Clinical Pharmacy, Pharmacy Law and Ethics, and a Capstone Research Project. Students complete extensive experiential placements, ensuring readiness for professional registration and independent practice as pharmacists.

Focus Areas

Pharmaceutical sciences, clinical pharmacy, therapeutics, patient care, drug formulation, healthcare systems, professional ethics, research and evidence-based practice

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be able to design, dispense, and manage medications safely; apply scientific and clinical knowledge to patient care; demonstrate professional and ethical decision-making; conduct pharmacy research; and communicate effectively within multidisciplinary healthcare teams.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

Accredited by the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland, fully meeting the requirements for registration as a pharmacist in Ireland and the EU.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

As a newly accredited programme, ATU’s Master of Pharmacy provides graduates with direct professional registration eligibility, strong clinical placement experience, and high employability in community, hospital, and industrial pharmacy sectors. Graduates are recognized across Ireland and the EU for professional practice.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At ATU’s Master of Pharmacy programme, your education goes beyond lectures and textbooks — you’ll actively develop real professional skills through hands-on learning and structured placements that reflect the day-to-day work of a pharmacist. You will study and practise in a modern campus environment with access to science and healthcare teaching spaces designed for laboratory work, collaborative learning, and clinical preparation. The programme ensures students benefit from meaningful engagement with practising pharmacists, clinicians, and healthcare professionals, bringing core scientific knowledge to life through real-world application and patient-focused experience.

Experiential learning at ATU’s MPharm includes:

Professional placements in real pharmacy settings: In the later years of the programme, you will complete structured placements, working alongside registered pharmacists and healthcare teams in community, hospital, and clinical environments to integrate classroom learning with patient care experience.
Extended experiential learning across the healthcare system: These placements give you the chance to observe and participate in professional practice, medication management, interprofessional collaboration, and professional communication under the supervision of qualified practitioners.
State-of-the-art campus facilities: ATU’s Sligo campus features modern academic facilities and dedicated spaces that support science and pharmacy education, giving you access to laboratory resources and collaborative learning environments to build practical scientific and clinical skills.
Engagement with practising clinicians and experts: You will learn from a range of experts – pharmacists, clinicians, and healthcare professionals – exposing you to different perspectives and contexts of pharmacy practice.

These experiences ensure you graduate not only with academic knowledge but also with the confidence, competence, and professional readiness to step into pharmacy practice in Ireland or across the EU.

Facilities and campus information: Atlantic Technological University’s Sligo campus provides modern buildings and learning spaces to support science, healthcare, and professional programmes, ensuring students have a vibrant environment for both study and practical training.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Master of Pharmacy at ATU will be ready to step confidently into a range of rewarding pharmacy careers that truly make a difference in people’s lives. You could work as a community pharmacist supporting everyday patient care, a hospital pharmacist collaborating with healthcare teams, a clinical pharmacy specialist, or pursue roles in pharmaceutical industry and regulatory affairs, where your expert knowledge drives quality and safety in medicines:

Dedicated career support services: ATU’s Careers Service and Career Development Centre offer personalised guidance to help you explore progression options, build your CV and interview skills, and plan your career from the very start of your studies. They help you connect your learning with real job opportunities in Ireland and internationally.
Strong employability preparation: Through structured experiential placements and engagement with the local and regional pharmacy sector, you’ll graduate with practical experience valued by employers across community, hospital, industry, research, and regulatory settings.
Growing demand and competitive salaries: Pharmacy professionals in Ireland typically earn competitive incomes, with clinical pharmacists and industry roles often offering attractive salary levels for qualified practitioners, reflecting the value of the MPharm qualification.
Accredited qualification with enduring value: The MPharm is accredited by the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland, which means you earn a recognised professional qualification that supports registration and practice anywhere in Ireland and across the EU.
Industry and professional engagement: The programme has been developed with input from practising pharmacists and healthcare organisations, ensuring that your learning stays aligned with the evolving needs of the profession.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the Master of Pharmacy, you could continue your studies by pursuing postgraduate research, such as a PhD in clinical pharmacy or pharmaceutical sciences, or specialised master’s programmes in areas like clinical therapeutics or regulatory affairs. Continuous professional development is also an important part of pharmacy practice, and many graduates take further qualifications to develop specialist skills and leadership capabilities as their careers advance.