What Regulatory Affairs Training Courses Are Available in Ireland?

Perhaps one of the most frequently asked questions that our team members get is “how do you get started in regulatory affairs?”  Every single person on our team has taken a different path over the course of their careers to date.  In this blog post, we will look at some of the regulatory affairs training courses available in Ireland. Editor’s Note 2019:  This is one of the most read articles ever on our website.  It was initially written in 2016 and we endeavour to keep it up to date.  As we are an Irish based company, the courses referred to on this page are predominantly Irish based.  However, the TOPRA course, referenced below, is run by TOPRA in association with the University of Hertforshire in the UK.  Right now it is an interesting time to be moving into the sector in Ireland.  A number of academic institutions have started to offer masters degrees and other qualifications for the regulatory affairs sector.  We have sought to have courses like these introduced for quite a long time and their introduction is to be welcomed.  Most people in regulatory affairs have moved into the sector and learned ‘on the job’. However, now we are seeing more candidates coming into the sector with specific post graduate qualifications in regulatory affairs.  Furthermore, many of the candidates that we meet at interviews have started, or have completed, an MSc while already working in regulatory affairs.

What regulatory affairs training courses are available?

As already referenced, there are now many more options open to someone seeking to develop their career in regulatory affairs.  Firstly, TOPRA (The Organisation of Professionals in Regulatory Affairs) offers an MSc in Regulatory Affairs.  The qualification is validated by the University of Hertfordshire.  You can read more about the qualification here. In Ireland, there have been significant developments in the provision of courses in regulatory affairs.  Firstly, NUI Galway is now offering a masters level qualification that specialises in medical device regulatory affairs.  The medical technology MSc is available to members of the Irish Medtech Skillnet at a discounted fee, so it may be worthwhile to check if your employer is a member of the Irish Medtech Skillnet before applying.   IT Carlow is offering another MSc for the pharmaceutical sector.  The MSc in Pharmaceutical Regulatory Affairs at IT Carlow is a part-time course offered by their Department of Lifelong Learning.  You can read more about the course here. For anybody interested in studying but not wishing to undertake a full masters programme there is a Postgraduate Certificate in International Regulatory Affairs available from Waterford IT.  The course is level 9 on the national framework of qualifications and the credits gained from the course can be used towards the Postgraduate Diploma/MSc in Analytical Science with Quality Management. More courses will become available as the sector expands.  Nevertheless, do not underestimate the importance of getting practical on the job experience.  In the industry right now, the majority of professionals have come through what many would call the ‘vocational’ route of learning on the job. If you would like to discuss career opportunities or if you would like us to deliver regulatory affairs training for your company, you can take a look at our current vacancies or you can simply contact us today! [ninja_form id=1]