A new Master’s of Pharmacy (MPharm) degree at South East Technological University (SETU) has been accredited by the PSI – the Pharmacy Regulator. SETU plans to welcome its first MPharm students in September 2026 at the Waterford campus.
This is the third pharmacy degree accredited by the PSI this year, bringing to six the number of MPharm courses expected to be available in Ireland from 2026.
The accreditation follows two years of engagement between the PSI and several universities as part of wider plans to expand healthcare education. The MPharm is a five-year integrated degree that includes clinical and practical placements, and it qualifies graduates to register as pharmacists.
PSI Registrar and Chief Officer Joanne Kissane said:
“Congratulations to all those involved in establishing the new programme at South East Technological University. The PSI has been pleased to support the expansion of pharmacy programmes through our accreditation role since first proposed by Government through the Higher Education Authority (HEA) in 2023. Approval of this new MPharm Programme is positive for SETU, the southeast region, and for students wishing to study pharmacy within Ireland.”
“The availability of a greater number of student places is significant for those interested in this field of study, for the future provision of patient care, and for our evolving healthcare services. Today’s announcement is another positive milestone for our ongoing work with the Department of Health and many other stakeholders in relation to workforce planning for pharmacy and for the range of healthcare services and industries where pharmacists can contribute their expertise.”
“Our role as the pharmacy regulator is to maintain and support patient safety and public trust in pharmacy. This includes accrediting and approving educational programmes for pharmacy and for setting the accreditation standards that must be met on an ongoing basis by the approved pharmacy programme providers. Our aim is to ensure that future pharmacists are equipped to meet their professional and clinical obligations, the needs of patients and the health system.”
SETU President Professor Veronica Campbell said the accreditation marks a major milestone for the university:
“Accreditation of our MPharm programme represents a major step for SETU in expanding healthcare education and training in Ireland. Our provision of the programme will ensure that students across the southeast can pursue their studies regionally. More broadly, it allows our university to have a direct impact on the development of pharmacy in healthcare, community, and industry settings. The programme supports the need for expansion of the national pharmacy workforce, and the establishment of our new Department of Pharmacy directly responds to these national, regional, and university imperatives. It also builds on SETU’s existing strengths in pharmaceutical science, bioscience, nursing and healthcare, teaching and research. I would like to acknowledge and thank the HEA and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation, and Science (DHERIS) for their support in bringing the MPharm programme to fruition.”
Dr Claire Lennon, Head of the Department of Pharmacy at SETU, said the new course reflects strong collaboration across the university and the profession:
“Our multidisciplinary cross-campus MPharm development team at SETU is very proud to have received Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland accreditation. The team has worked extremely hard to develop an innovative and impactful, future-focused MPharm programme. Pivotal to programme development has also been the collaborative input and support of our pharmacy professional advisory committee, and stakeholders from community, hospital, and industry pharmacy settings across the southeast. This will ensure graduates meet the requirements of modern pharmacy practice and the skills needs of the sector, all the while maintaining a patient-centred focus. We look forward to welcoming our first group of 40 students to the programme in 2026.”
Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll McNeill also welcomed the accreditation:
“I extend my sincere congratulations to South East Technological University on the successful accreditation of its Masters in Pharmacy programme. This innovative programme will provide students in the South East with the opportunity to pursue a career in pharmacy closer to home and reflects the Government’s strategic investment in regional education and our commitment to expanding access to high-quality healthcare training across all regions of the country.”
“I look forward to seeing the first group of students begin their journey in pharmacy education in Waterford from September 2026 and to the lasting impact they will have on patient care and public health across Ireland.”
Prospective students interested in the new programme are encouraged to contact SETU directly for further information.
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