FAQ Category: 4th Year

The 4th-year placement can be undertaken in a broad variety of practice settings. The 4th-year placement is the only opportunity to undertake an APPEL placement outside of community or hospital pharmacy.

APPEL expects to provide 4th-year placements in: the pharmaceutical industry, pharmaceutical consultancy, regulatory affairs, research, the health service, professional bodies, community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy departments, etc. For the foreseeable future, all placements will take place within the Republic of Ireland.

APPEL will match all eligible students to a 4th-year placement in an APPEL-accredited training establishment. The matching process will allow students to indicate 4 preferences for practice placements based on (i) geographical location(s) and (ii) preferred practice setting, e.g. pharmaceutical industry, hospital etc. Based on these preferences, students will then be provided with a choice of up to 15 placement providers. Students will select their top 8 and their CV will be forwarded to these. The placement providers will then select student(s) for their practice placement from this cohort. This process takes place during Semester 2 of each year and the exact timelines will be communicated to students well in advance.

APPEL is responsible for quality assuring the placements. This involves robust processes and procedures for selecting, assessing, accrediting and appointing preceptors and training establishments. All Preceptors will be trained by APPEL and there will be support structures in place for students and preceptors during the placement.

An important part of experiential learning is to help you develop the various competencies required for pharmacy practice. During the 4th-year placement, you will complete three online modules, which will support you to develop competencies relating to self-management, workplace management, human resources, financial management, quality assurance, leadership, change management, critical thinking, decision making, team working, communication and legal and ethical issues.

Placement providers will also present you with experiential activities to complete during your placement. These activities will vary depending on the placement organisation and could include a project, experience in multiple departments, etc. The activities will support you in developing the competencies above. APPEL will provide guidance on experiential learning activities to Training Establishments.

The placement will take place from September to December. Students will be provided with an attendance timetable well in advance of their placements. Placements are 30 hours per week. The timetable is Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9am to 5.30pm (with 1 hour for lunch). Students will have dedicated time for both directed and self-directed learning each Wednesday.

APPEL oversees the common experiential learning placements undertaken in the three Schools of Pharmacy (UCC, RCSI and TCD). The common placements overseen by APPEL are:

The 4^th year placement is a four-month placement* completed from September to December in an APPEL-accredited training establishment. These placements can be undertaken in a breadth of practice settings.

The Schools of Pharmacy are committed to developing graduates that are prepared for careers in all sectors of pharmacy practice. APPEL’s aim is to provide students with a broad range of experiential learning opportunities. These experiences will help expose and prepare students for the various roles a pharmacist can undertake. The 4^th year placement is the ideal opportunity for students to broaden their practice experience and to further develop their curriculum vitae (CV).

* Many students have expressed interest and availability in working at their placement provider’s establishment in the July and August prior to their placement. Such an arrangement would be outside the APPEL programme.