Course Summary
Course Category: PLC (Further Education - FET) - Apply directly to College
Applicants who would like to blend an interest in retail with science and who have an interest in health in the community will find this course a useful introduction to the world of pharmacy.
This course prepares students for work in Pharmacies, health stores etc. It also offers a platform to go on to study Pharmacy Technician courses at Third level.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS (Level 5)
Any student over 16 years seeking entry to this programme does not need a previous formal qualification. However, the student must demonstrate at interview the capacity to successfully participate on this programme. This includes both the academic and work experience elements of the programme. Should the student have previous qualifications, one of the following may be advantageous for admission to the programme:
- Leaving Certificate/LCA
- QQI Level 4 Award
- Students who may not have formal academic requirements but who have the ability to successfully participate on the course will be considered. (RPL Recognition of Prior Learning)
Course Details
This course prepares you for working in the following Career Sectors:
What will you study?
-
Customer Services
Nutrition
Work Experience
Retail Display
Retail Selling
Word Processing
Communications
Safety & Health
Over the Counter Medicine
Important
- Colleges may add/remove modules to keep the course updated and to meet demands.
- Almost all PLC courses have a Work Experience module, which requires students to find their own placement in an area directly related to their course.
Progression to CAO Courses
Higher Education Links Scheme (HELS)
This course leads to a QQI Major Award, and provides progression opportunities to a number of Higher Education courses, including those in the CAO.
To view CAO courses to which this award provides a possible progression route, click below:
| QQI Code |
| 5M4468 |
To calculate Points based on your QQI award results, use the PLC Points Calculator.
The Student - Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:
Administrative
Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.
They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.
Enterprising
Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.
Further Research
National Statistics for this Award (All Ireland)
The following data provides general information about this Award from colleges across Ireland.
Disclaimer: These links are to web sites outside of CareersPortal and we accept no responsibility for the information on them.
Career Progression
Graduates of this course will assist the Pharmacist in providing a care service to the community. As well as pharmacy work, students can work as sales assistants in health stores etc.
Students may also progress to participating Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) through the QQI Higher Education Links Scheme. This course may link with TUS Athlone, TU Dublin, SETU Carlow, ATU Letterkenny & MTU Tralee Pharmacy Technician courses. Past students have gone on to Health & Society Degree in DCU, Medical Science in GMIT (now ATU), Pharmacy Technician in TU Dublin, Athlone IT (now TUS) & Drogheda Further Ed.