Information on the Accreditation of New Pharmacy Degrees

The MPharm Degree is the national pharmacy qualification that must be successfully completed to be eligible to register and practice as a pharmacist in Ireland. The MPharm is a five-year integrated programme, and the programme must be accredited by the PSI. We currently accredit programmes delivered by Trinity College Dublin, the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and University College Cork. 

New MPharm Degrees 

In 2022, in response to national skills needs, the Higher Education Authority (HEA) published a call for increased national capacity in a number of health professions, including pharmacy. Subsequently, in October 2024, the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Innovation, Research and Science announced an increase in healthcare places in Ireland through the creation of six new programmes, including three new pharmacy programmes at the Atlantic Technological University (ATU), the South East Technological University (SETU), and the University of Galway. 

What does this mean for prospective students for the new programmes? 

ATU, SETU and the University of Galway must undergo an accreditation process that is managed by us.  We are engaging with each of these universities at present in relation to the accreditation process.  Once the accreditation processes are complete, we will publish the accreditation reports on our website. Information updates on the progress of accreditation visits are captured in our reporting to the PSI Council in the minutes and associated Registrar’s reports, available on this website.  

Prospective students may also wish to communicate with the relevant universities.