The first cohort of pharmacy graduates at RCSI were conferred today at the College.

Established over four years ago, the BSc Degree in Pharmacy is a four-year full-time course covering all aspects of physical, chemical and biological properties of medicines from biochemistry to microbiology. After graduation and following successful completion of a one-year period of professional training, graduates will be eligible for registration as a practising pharmacist. Also graduating today will be the second cohort of postgraduates in Industrial Pharmaceutical Science.

Head of the School of Pharmacy, Professor John Kelly said: "I would like to congratulate the pioneering class of the RCSI School of Pharmacy and recognise the importance of this additional group of highly trained graduates to both the healthcare system in Ireland and to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries that provide an important part of the Irish economic structure."

More than 300 students in total were conferred during two special graduation ceremonies at the RCSI. The morning event also conferred new graduates in physiotherapy, medicine, and a number of postgraduate degrees such as PhDs, Masters (MSc) in Primary Healthcare as well as MSc in Women's Health, while the afternoon ceremony saw new graduates in nursing, practice development and nursing management.

President of the RCSI, Professor Gerald O'Sullivan said: "The graduates we see here today are testament to the commitment of the College in providing high-quality undergraduate and postgraduate education."