BSc Chemistry of Pharmaceutical Compounds (CPC) is an interdisciplinary course focusing on the chemistry and biology of the pharmaceutical industry and includes a five-month industrial placement.
The course is an excellent pathway to careers in the pharmaceutical industry and is accredited by the Institute of Chemistry of Ireland and the Royal Society of Chemistry.
Industry experts lecture on pharmaceutical technology, regulatory issues and the industry in Ireland. Our placement scheme includes application and interview training. Interviews with companies will be organised.
Core subjects include organic, analytical and pharmaceutical chemistry, biochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology, supported by modules on physical and inorganic chemistry, physiology, mathematics and physics.
Final-year research projects are written on pharmaceutical chemistry and pharmaceutical bio-science.
On completion of this course, you will be able to:
analyse and solve problems relating to pharmaceuticals
outline the fundamental chemistry and biology of pharmaceuticals
design experiments in pharmaceutical chemistry and biology
communicate with pharmaceutical scientists
engage with the pharmaceutical manufacturing process, and appreciate the opportunities and challenges facing the pharmaceutical industry
Skills and Careers Information
On this course you will gain skills in the synthesis and analysis of pharmaceuticals using chemical and biochemical technologies. The laboratory skills you will acquire include synthesis, chromatography (e.g. HPLC) and spectroscopy (e.g. NMR).
You will also learn presentation skills such as document and poster preparation, oral presentation and interview skills. Problem solving skills are developed in interactive group problem-solving sessions.
CPC is a pathway to careers in:
pharmaceutical process support and development
new process development
supply-chain management
HR and financial management
drug discovery research
The pharmaceutical industry in Ireland is a major employer of CPC graduates. Graduates of this course are also working in leading research and development sites outside Ireland.
*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please check with institution
Expected January 2026
UCC Campus
College Road,
Cork,
T12 K8AF, Republic of Ireland
Non-EU applicants are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to the Irish Leaving Certificate
Duolingo English Test (DET): DET 120 with a minimum score of 110 in each individual section
IELTS - International English Language Testing System/ IELTS Indicator Test: Minimum overall score of 6.5 and a minimum of 6.0 in each band
TOEFL - Test of English as a Foreign Language - TOEFL iBT/TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition Test: Minimum overall score of 90 and minimum of 20 in each section
University of Cambridge: 176+ on the Cambridge English scale with no less than 169 in each skill and use of English i.e.
Proficiency Certificate, Grade C or better (CEFR Level C1 or C2) Advanced Certificate, Grade C or better (CEFR Level C1 or C2) First Certificate, Grade A (CEFR Level C1)
Pearson PTE Academic: Minimum of 63 (with at least 59 for each item in the Communicative Skills section)
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
UCC is an award-winning, world-class teaching and research university with over 170 years of history.