BSc (Hons) in Chemistry of Pharmaceutical Compounds

Ireland

18

What will I learn?

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.

Which department am I in?

College of Science, Engineering and Food Science

Study options

Full Time (4 years)

Tuition fees
€23,500.00 (21,24,966) per year
EU Student Contribution Charge: €3,000 per annum and the Capitation Fee: €147 per annum; EU Total fee: €7,467

*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please check with institution

Start date

Expected January 2026

Venue

UCC Campus

College Road,

Cork,

T12 K8AF, Republic of Ireland

Entry requirements

For international students

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.

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About University College Cork

UCC is an award-winning, world-class teaching and research university with over 170 years of history.

  • Ranked in the top 2% of universities worldwide
  • Cork is rated as a top ‘cultural & creative city’
  • Over 3,000 international students
  • Over 90% of graduates secure employment after graduating