MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences —Trinity College Dublin (TCD)

At Trinity College Dublin, the MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences offers a one-year, full-time Level 9 program designed to develop advanced expertise in drug discovery, development, and regulation.

This is Ireland’s only specialist MSc delivered by a dedicated School of Pharmacy, internationally recognized as a leading center for research.

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Program Structure & Core Curriculum

Duration: 1 year full-time (also available part-time over two years).

Intake: September

Core Modules:

• Regulatory Aspects & Industrial Pharmacy

• Natural Product Analysis & Regulation

• Spectroscopic Methods for Drug Analysis

• Molecular Pharmaceutics & Advanced Drug Delivery

• Biopharmaceutical Sciences

• Pharmaceutical & Medical Nanotechnology

• Drug Discovery & Development

• Biotechnology

• Formulation Development & Evaluation

• Professional Skills in Pharmaceutical Sciences.

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Research Dissertation:

• To complete an MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences, students must undertake a supervised research project (can be in school or at place of employment) and submit a scientific dissertation.

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Entry Requirements & English Language Proficiency

Academic Requirements:

• A 2.1 Honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant science discipline such as pharmacy, chemistry, analytical chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, pharmacology, or medicinal chemistry.

• Candidates with a 2.2 honors degree may be considered if they have strong undergraduate performance or relevant professional experience.

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English Proficiency:

Applicants must meet Trinity’s Band B (Standard Entry) English proficiency, which includes:

• IELTS Academic: Minimum 6.5 overall, with no band below 6.0

• TOEFL iBT: 90 overall, with at least 21 in each section

• PTE Academic: 69 overall, with a minimum of 59 in each section

• Duolingo English Test: 120 overall, with required subscores. Minimum overall score: 120. No individual sub-score below 100

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Tuition Fees & Living Costs

• Tuition fee (first year): Approximately €21,010 for non-EU

• Students

• Living Costs: Estimated to be around €12,000 per year for accommodation, food, and other essentials

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Job Opportunities

• The program prepares graduates for roles in pharmaceutical research (R&D), manufacturing, quality/regulatory affairs and related areas and was developed in consultation with industry stakeholders

• Graduates go on to careers in manufacturing, R&D, and regulatory affairs, supported by the school’s strong industry partnerships, SFI-linked research centers, and successful spinouts

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 Jobs in Ireland:

• Pharmaceutical R&D Scientist

• Manufacturing Specialist

• Regulatory Affairs Officer

• Quality Assurance/Quality Control Analyst

• Product Development Scientist

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Institutional Industry Links in Ireland:

• Connections: Strong industry outreach via SSPC (partners include Pfizer, Roche, GSK, Eli Lilly, Hovione, etc.)  

• Innovation Pathways: Spinouts like Solvotrin Therapeutics and Trino Therapeutics highlight entrepreneurial opportunities

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Career Paths and Salary Outlook

• Fresh Graduates (0–1 year): Ranging from €35,000 to €55,000 per year

• With Experience (1–3 years): Averages around €55,388 annually

• Senior Professionals (8+ years): Averages around €68,256 per year

• Job roles best suited for an MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences: Graduates are best suited for roles such as R&D Scientist, Formulation Scientist, Regulatory Affairs Officer, and QA/QC Specialist within Ireland’s leading pharma and biopharma companies

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Application Process & Timeline:

• Apply through Onebounce with end-to-end guidance and support at every step. Get started now

• Key dates: Closing date (2026 intake): 28 June 2026; Next intake: September 2026

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Required Documents:

• CV (resume)

• Full academic transcript(s) and degree certificate(s)

• Two references (at least one academic)

• Proof of English language competency (if required)

• Passport

• State of Purpose

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To wrap it up

If you want a focused, industry-relevant MSc that builds laboratory, formulation, and regulatory expertise for careers in pharmaceutical R&D and manufacturing, Trinity’s MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences is a compact, research-led option taught by Ireland’s leading School of Pharmacy.