Masters Degrees in Pharmacy

Overview

We offer three pathways in the Advanced Professional Practice Programme:
- Clinical Pharmacy for General Practice for pharmacists to develop the skills required for working in General Practice.

- Advanced Professional Practice (Pharmacy) incorporating the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s Advanced Pharmacy Framework

- Advanced Professional Practice (Open Learn) allows health professionals to choose from our range of modules to create their own pathway

Clinical Pharmacy for General Practice:
NHS England has recently announced their intention to invest £15 million pounds to pilot patient facing roles for clinical pharmacists in GP practices. This is a clear sign of that pharmacists are recognised as health professionals who are able to support patients in the management of long term conditions e.g. by optimising medicines. These roles offer exciting opportunities for pharmacists to develop in this area of practice. . If you wish to work in general practice, it is likely that you will need to be working towards or hold a postgraduate pharmacy qualification that includes Independent Prescribing.
Our new postgraduate pathway 'Clinical Pharmacy for General Practice' allows you to combine your choice of modules from across our Community Pharmacy, Advanced Professional Practice and Prescribing Studies programmes (including the Independent Prescribing course) to meet your own personal learning needs whilst working towards a Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma or Masters award.

Advanced Professional Practice (Pharmacy):
The Pharmacy pathway is compatible with the emerging agenda for Advanced and Specialist Practice within the Pharmacy profession and supports the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s Faculty Professional Recognition Scheme. Pharmacists who follow this pathway will incorporate the Advanced Pharmacy Framework (APF) (http://www.rpharms.com/faculty-resources/advanced-pharmacy-framework.asp) within their Advanced Professional Practice award and be able to demonstrate competency in all six competency clusters of the framework, ie:
- Expert Professional Practice
- Collaborative Working Relationships
- Leadership
- Management
- Education, Training and Development
- Research and Evaluation

Advanced Professional Practice (Open Learn):
Increasing numbers of pharmacists and other health professionals have a career portfolio that crosses the traditional boundaries of community practice, primary care and secondary care and need a programme of continuing professional development that can meet their specific personal professional development needs.
The Open learn pathway of the APP programme is designed to allow pharmacists and other health professionals, particularly medical and non-medical prescribers working in primary care, choice and flexibility in their progression to Certificate, Diploma and Masters awards to meet their specific professional development needs and advance their professional practice. Pharmacists can choose modules from across the Department of Medicines Management/School of Pharmacy postgraduate programmes’ portfolio, including Community Pharmacy and Clinical (Hospital) Pharmacy.
Pharmacists, medical and nonmedical prescribers can choose modules from the Prescribing Studies programme, including the Independent Prescribing Preparatory Course for Pharmacists, and also modules provided by other Schools within the Faculty of Health, and other Faculties within the University, subject to meeting the specific entry criteria required for individual modules.

See the website https://www.keele.ac.uk/pgtcourses/advancedprofessionalpracticepharmacy/

Course Aims

Keele's Pg Advanced Professional Practice Programme aims to:
- Equip you with the clinical and professional knowledge base and skills that you have identified as necessary to fulfil and advance your professional practice

- Provide you with a learning programme that meets your personal professional development needs and that will help you apply your knowledge and skills in daily practice

- Encourage you to develop the self-discipline of private study, self-directed learning and reflective practice that will be continued beyond Keele's Programme in your Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

In addition, you will develop valuable practical skills including written and oral communication, and the ability to design a project, collect, analyse and interpret data.

Course Content

MSc in Advanced Professional Practice (Clinical Pharmacy for General Practice):
For the ‘Clinical Pharmacy for General Practice’ pathway you may combine modules from our Prescribing Studies programme, Community Pharmacy programme and Advanced Professional Practice programme to meet your learning needs. A total of 60 credits is required to achieve the Certificate award, 120 credits for the Diploma and 180 credits for the MSc. The Independent Prescribing Preparatory Course for Pharmacists module (60 credits) from the Prescribing Studies programme may only be used towards a Diploma award.

Achievement of the Master’s award requires you to complete the Professional MSc year. The professional MSc year consists of three compulsory modules: Advanced Practice Development (15 credits), Researching and Evaluating your Practice (15 credits) and the Independent Learning Project (30 credits).

MSc in Advanced Professional Practice (Pharmacy):
This pathway links to all the clusters of the Advanced Pharmacy Framework (APF) (http://www.rpharms.com/faculty-resources/advanced-pharmacy-framework.asp) You will study modules to allow you to develop in all six clusters of the APF: Expert Professional Practice; Collaborative Working Relationships; Leadership; Management; Education, Training and Development; and Research and Evaluation.

The modules you will study are as follows (more detail about individual modules can be found in the Postgraduate Modules pages):

Year 1 (Certificate Year)
- Advanced Practice Development (30) 30 credits (Continuous module during Years 1 and 2)
- Competency Frameworks for the Advanced Practitioner 15 credits
- Building Working Relationships for the Advanced Practitioner (30) 30 credits

Year 2 (Diploma Year)
- Researching and Evaluating Your Practice 15 credits
- Education Theory and Practice for Health Professionals 15 credits
- Business and Financial Management 15 credits

Year 3 (Master’s year)
- Advanced Practice Development 15 credits
- Independent Learning Project 45 credits

MSc in Advanced Professional Practice (Open Learn)
For the ‘Open Learn’ pathway, a total of 60 credits is required to achieve the Certificate award, 120 credits for the Diploma and 180 credits for the MSc. The 15 credit Advanced Practice Development module is compulsory, after that you may chose modules from across our programmes to meet your individual learning needs. A maximum of 30 credits per level of award is permitted from any one programme source for Certificate and Diploma awards. The Independent Prescribing Preparatory Course for Pharmacists module (60 credits) from the Prescribing Studies programme may only be used towards a Diploma award.

Our Postgraduate Modules pages will provide you with more information about the modules you can choose from.

Achievement of the Master’s award requires you to complete the Professional MSc year. The professional MSc year consists of three compulsory modules: Advanced Practice Development (15 credits), Researching and Evaluating your Practice (15 credits) and the Independent Learning Project (30 credits).

Teaching & Assessment

The Advanced Professional Practice Programme is designed principally for distance-learning. We provide mainly online distance-learning materials so that you can study where and when it is most convenient for you. Our methods of delivery allow us to revise and update the course quickly to meet your changing needs as a pharmacist.

Students on the 'Pharmacy' Pathway will be required to attend Keele for occasional face to face study days. Students on the 'Open Learn' pathway maybe required to attend Keele, depending on their module choices.

The Advanced Professional Practice Programme is fully supported by a team of experienced, friendly, and approachable academic, administrative and technical staff based at Keele. You’re not on your own! And, don’t forget the network of other pharmacists on the course whom you can contact.

You will require the equivalent of 1-2 days (approximately 10-15 hours) each week to complete your course. Remember that the online nature of our course materials, and the fact that a good proportion of the assessed work focuses on your daily practice, means that you can integrate study and work.

Assessment is entirely by coursework for the Certificate, Diploma and MSc courses. A variety of assessment methods are used such as Practice-Based Assignments that will assess your knowledge, problem-solving skills, and data interpretation skills in relation to application of knowledge to practice, patient care and medicines management. Case Presentations assess your ability to critically appraise the literature and relate published theory to everyday practice. An Audit Project, Practice-Based Assignments, Project Protocol Development and the Independent Study Project Report assess ‘thinking’ and practical skills, and your ability to plan, conduct and report on an investigation. They also assess your ability to critically appraise the literature and relate published theory to everyday practice. Your Reflective Portfolio also assesses your ability to relate theory to practice, and self evaluation of, and reflection on, your own performance and CPD needs.

The nature of the assessments develops your written and oral communication skills. Practical skills and key life/transferable skills are assessed within the methods described above. Each method of assessment is supported by clear criteria for marking; these are explained in the relevant Course Handbooks. The minimum pass mark is 50%.

The summative assessment is supported by a variety of formative assessment activities that include online discussions, formative feedback on elements of the reflective portfolio, contributions to study days and feedback on draft proposals.

Additional Costs

For all programmes you will need regular access to a computer, email and the internet. However apart from additional costs for text books, inter-library loans and potential overdue library fines we do not anticipate any additional costs for our postgraduate programmes, with the exception of those listed below.

Some modules may require that you attend a Webinar. You may find it beneficial to purchase a headset to participate in webinars, however this is not essential if your computer has a built in microphone and speakers.

Some modules may require that you travel to Keele for a study day. There will be additional travel and accommodation costs (if required) to attend any face to face study days.

Study Days

Students on the Pharmacy Pathway will be required to attend Keele for some face to face study days. For further information please contact Bev Oakden.

Students who incorporate the Independent Prescribing Preparatory Course into the ‘Clinical Pharmacy for General Practice’ award will be required to attend Keele for some study days. For further information please refer to the ‘Independent Prescribing’ section of our website.

Whilst the majority of our modules are delivered at a distance, a small number may require attendance at Keele. Please contact Bev Oakden or Amanda Salt to discuss your choice of modules and any attendance requirements.

Find information on Scholarships here - http://www.keele.ac.uk/studentfunding/bursariesscholarships/

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The course develops students’ understanding of how pharmacy can impact global health. Students are provided with a foundation in the complex determinants of health and the global burden and management of disease.

The curriculum then focuses on the twin strands of pharmaceuticals and pharmacists, and their role in improving global health, with a particular emphasis on addressing health inequities. The course brings together experts from many disciplines to deliver a vibrant and stimulating programme.

The Global Pharmacy course is suitable for anyone interested in taking a multidisciplinary approach to how pharmacy and global health are related.

This course is particularly relevant for pharmacists, those working in the pharmaceutical industry and pharmaceutical policy makers, as well as others interested in how global health and pharmacy intersect.

KEY AREAS OF STUDY

• Social determinants of health and ill health
• Global burden and management of disease
• Access to good quality medicines
• Affordability of medicines
• Supply chain management
• Rational use of medicines
• The role of the pharmaceutical industry in global health
• Pharmacy and global health
• Pharmacy and humanitarian responses

COURSE STRUCTURE

PGCert:

Global Health Principles
Access to Medicines
Pharmacy and Global Health

PGDip:

Global Health Principles
Global Burden and Management of Disease
Research Methods and Critical Appraisal
Access to Medicines
Pharmacy and Global Health

MSc:

Global Health Principles
Global Burden and Management of Disease
Research Methods & Critical Appraisal
Access to Medicines
Pharmacy and Global Health
Dissertation (Research Project)

COURSE BENEFITS

This course equips students to apply their specialist knowledge and skills to make a unique contribution to improving global health through pharmacy.

The course has a particular focus on overcoming health inequities: the avoidable differences in health globally. Graduates will have the skills to work as global pharmacy practitioners, policy makers, consultants or researchers, with international health and development agencies or in global health-related aspects of the pharmaceutical industry.

GLOBAL PHARMACY MSC SCHOLARSHIP

BSMS offers a scholarship for students admitted to the full-time Masters degree in Global Pharmacy at the Wellcome Trust Centre for Global Health Research.

The scholarships are funded by BSMS, and confirm the emergence of the Global Health and Infection department as a national and international leader in Global Health and Global Pharmacy postgraduate study. The BSMS Global Pharmacy scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic and/or professional merit and financial need. The scholarship provides one £2,500 award towards tuition fees.

UK, EU and International (Non UK/EU) students are eligible and encouraged to apply. Please visit the website for further information:

https://www.bsms.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught-degrees/global-pharmacy.aspx

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This course will be held at the Medway Campus

- https://www.kent.ac.uk/locations/medway/

Start: At any time but preferably in September

Our research programme in Pharmacy gives you the integrated, broad-based research training needed to exploit current advances in pharmaceutical and biological sciences and pharmacy practice.

Within the school we have a number of home, EU and international postgraduate students who are undertaking doctoral research degrees. Graduates who obtain their PhD from Kent or Greenwich are highly sought after by prospective employers, both within the UK and overseas. Destinations for doctoral graduates include university academic departments, research institutes and leading pharmaceutical and biotechnological companies.

Visit the website https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/171/pharmacy

About Medway School of Pharmacy

Medway School of Pharmacy is one of the few regional schools of pharmacy in the UK, a collaboration between the University of Kent and the University of Greenwich.

The impetus for the formation of the Medway School of Pharmacy came from the local community, who recognised the shortage of qualified pharmacists in all branches of the pharmacy profession in Kent.

The School is now recognised as an established school with accreditation from the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Graduates are employed in health disciplines in Kent and the south-east and more broadly across the UK.

Study support

- Postgraduate resources

Postgraduate students have access to all the facilities at the Medway School of Pharmacy, including clinical skills labs and a ‘simulation man’. As the School of Pharmacy is a joint venture between the two universities, students have access to facilities at Kent’s Medway and Canterbury campuses, and the University of Greenwich.

- Dynamic publishing culture

Medway School of Pharmacy has a research culture and as such postgraduate students publish regularly and widely in journals, conference proceedings and books. Among others, they have recently contributed to: International Journal of Pharmacy Practice; Nephron Physiology; Acta Physiologica; Purinergic Signalling; and European Journal of Pharmacology.

- Researcher Development Programme

Kent's Graduate School co-ordinates the Researcher Development Programme for research students, which includes workshops focused on research, specialist and transferable skills. The programme is mapped to the national Researcher Development Framework and covers a diverse range of topics, including subjectspecific research skills, research management, personal effectiveness, communication skills, networking and teamworking, and career management skills

Research areas

The Medway School of Pharmacy houses strong and vibrant research groups that span a range of pharmacy-related areas. Staff have a wealth of research experience, and UK and international links with both industry and academic institutions.

- Chemistry and drug delivery

This group has laboratories with dedicated state-ofthe art drug delivery, nanotechnology, spectroscopy, chromatography and organic synthesis facilities. It brings together researchers in medicinal chemistry and drug design, nanotechnology and materials science, drug delivery and pharmaceutics encouraging a multidisciplinary approach to research. Research covers synthesis and biological evaluation of potential anti-cancer agents, structurebased drug design, QSAR predication of ADMET properties, controlled release, particle engineering, powder technology, pharmaceutical technology, and novel drug delivery systems, with a focus on respiratory drug delivery.

- Biological sciences

This group is housed in recently refurbished laboratories with dedicated state-of-the-art molecular biological, electrophysiological, tissue culture and microscopy facilities. The research is divided into four main themes; infectious diseases and allergy; neuroscience; renal and cardiovascular physiology; and pharmacology. Examples of current work include: investigation of the use of non-pathogenic virus ‘pseudotypes’ to study pathogenic RNA, study of the properties of neuronal potassium channels and their modulation and the development of new therapies for patients that have developed acute kidney injury in collaboration with a major pharmaceutical company.

- Pharmacy practice

This group conducts research in two areas: public health and medicines optimisation, with a particular focus on cardiovascular diseases and mental health. Work in public health includes studies in physical exercise, alcohol, cardiovascular screening and spirometry testing, plus pharmacovigilance. Studies in medicines optimisation include work in dementia, bipolar disorder and stroke, with an emphasis on the patient perspective.

Careers

Graduates who obtain their PhD from Kent or Greenwich are highly sought after by prospective employers, both within the UK and overseas. Destinations for doctoral graduates include university academic departments, research institutes and leading pharmaceutical and biotechnological companies.

Find out how to apply here - https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/apply/

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Develop your personal and professional practice in an innovative and flexible teaching style.

Course overview

This part-time Clinical Pharmacy course allows patient-facing pharmacists in all sectors to build upon current knowledge and experience and extend their professional development.

Gain core skills and knowledge required to become a highly competent pharmacist, and benefit from research-based teaching and learning strategies.

This is the only part-time MSc Clinical Pharmacy course in the North East of England. It runs on a distance learning basis and allows you to combine study with work and family commitments. Access all learning materials through the University VLE (Virtual Learning Environment) and attend two weekend conference-style events in December and June of the course. Learn from key and expert speakers within their respective fields and participate in workshop-based sessions.

The University of Sunderland has an excellent reputation in pharmacy. The Sunderland Pharmacy School is accredited by the General Pharmaceutical Council, and our research in pharmacy has been classed as ‘world leading’ in the latest Research Excellence Framework.

Please note that part-time courses are not available to international students who require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK.

Course content

The content of this Clinical Pharmacy course has been developed by healthcare professionals and academics to reflect the most relevant areas to a pharmacist’s practice.

Modules on this course include:
Year 1
-Clinical Decision Making and Stages of Care (20 Credits)
-Patient Safety (20 Credits)

Year 1 or 2
-The Acute Patient (20 Credits)
-The Chronic Patient (20 Credits)
-Clinical Skills 1 (10 Credits)
-Evidence-based Medicine (10 Credits)
-Clinical Investigation and Diagnostics (10 Credits)
-Healthcare Systems and Service Provisions (10 Credits)
-Personalised Healthcare (10 Credits)
-Population Healthcare (10 Credits)
-Social Pharmacy and Primary Care (10 Credits)

Year 2
-Clinical Skills 2 (10 Credits)
-Independent Prescribing (45 credits)
-Clinical Audit (15 credits)

Year 3
-Independent Prescribing (45 credits)
-MSc Research Module (15 credits)
-Research Methods (30 Credits)
-Research Project (30 Credits)

Teaching and assessment

Teaching and learning methods include online lectures, expert interviews, directed reading, case-based scenarios, research, tutorials and online tutor support. The conferences will involve master classes delivered by experts in their field, supported by workshop based sessions.

Assessment on the course includes:
-Examinations (written and OSCE-style)
-Work-based portfolio mapped to competencies outlined in the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s Foundation Pharmacy Framework (you will require a mentor* in practice to facilitate this)
-Case-based coursework tasks

Compared to an undergraduate course, you will find that this Masters requires a higher level of independent working.

Facilities & location

This course is based primarily in the Sciences Complex at our City Campus, which boasts multi-disciplinary laboratories and cutting-edge equipment thanks to multi-million pound investments.

Simulation technology
Each of our £57,000 SimMan mannequins has blood pressure, a pulse and other realistic physiological behaviour. The models can be pre-programmed with various medical scenarios, so you can demonstrate your pharmacological expertise in a realistic yet safe setting. Our academic team is also actively working with the SimMan manufacturers to develop new pharmacy simulations.

Pharmacy Practice
One of the most important skills of pharmacists is to communicate their expertise in a manner that the public can understand and accept. The University has invested in a purpose-built model pharmacy complete with consultation suite. This allows you to develop skills in helping patients take the correct medicine in the right way, with optional video recording of your interaction with patients for the purposes of analysis and improvement. In addition, we can accurately simulate hospital-based scenarios in a fully equipped ward environment where medical, nursing and pharmacy students can share learning.

University Library Services
We’ve got thousands of books and e-books on pharmaceutical and biomedical science, with many more titles available through the inter-library loan service. We also subscribe to a comprehensive range of print and electronic journals so you can access the most reliable and up-to-date academic and industry articles. Some of the most important sources for your studies include:
Embase, which is a complex database covering drug research, pharmacology, pharmaceutics, toxicology, clinical and experimental human medicine, health policy and management, public health, occupational health, environmental health, drug dependence and abuse, psychiatry, forensic medicine and biomedical engineering/instrumentation
PsycINF, which includes information about the psychological aspects of medicine, psychiatry, nursing, sociology, pharmacology and physiology
PubMed, which contains life science journals, online books and abstracts that cover fields such as medicine, nursing, dentistry, veterinary medicine and health care
Science Direct, which offers more than 18,000 full-text journals published by Elsevier
Web of Science, which covers a broad range of science areas

Learning Environment
Sunderland Pharmacy School has a rich heritage in scientific studies and our degree courses are extremely well respected in the industry. We are fully plugged into relevant medical and pharmaceutical industry bodies, with strong links and an exchange of ideas and people. Our vibrant learning environment helps ensure a steady stream of well-trained pharmacists whose most important concern is patient-centred pharmaceutical care.

Employment & careers

Postgraduate qualifications in clinical pharmacy will help you take on additional responsibility. We encourage you to plan your future contributions to your employer and how your career will progress.

On completing this course you will be equipped with the advanced skills and knowledge specifically needed for promotion in roles such as:
-Specialist clinical pharmacist
-Pharmacist with a special interest
-Senior clinical pharmacist

A promotion to a higher band of pay can quickly ensure a good return on your investment in the course. Within the NHS, salaries for specialist clinical pharmacist are rated as Band 7 (up to around £40,000).

A Masters in Clinical Pharmacy can also lead to teaching opportunities, research roles or further study.

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This course will be held at the Medway Campus

- https://www.kent.ac.uk/locations/medway/

This programme provides general-level hospital pharmacists – registered with the GPhC and working – with the core skills required to provide holistic pharmaceutical care in the practice setting.

The programme aligns with a nationally agreed pharmacy practitioner development strategy and is the result of a unique collaboration of higher education institutions across London and the south and east of England.

The programme develops your knowledge and skills in clinical pharmacy practice and medicines management. It works on a philosophy of student-centred workplace learning, supported by workbooks and contact days facilitated by experienced pharmacy practitioners. You are expected to take responsibility for managing your learning and achieving the programme objectives. The ethos and culture of the programme is to enhance and develop self-reliance and an adult approach to learning in support of continuing professional development.

Visit the website https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/737/general-pharmacy-practice

About Medway School of Pharmacy

Medway School of Pharmacy is one of the few regional schools of pharmacy in the UK, a collaboration between the University of Kent and the University of Greenwich.

The impetus for the formation of the Medway School of Pharmacy came from the local community, who recognised the shortage of qualified pharmacists in all branches of the pharmacy profession in Kent.

The School is now recognised as an established school with accreditation from the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Graduates are employed in health disciplines in Kent and the south-east and more broadly across the UK.

Modules

For more about the structure of this course please visit the Medway School of Pharmacy website (http://www.msp.ac.uk/studying/postgraduate/cert-gen-pharm-pract/index.html).

Assessment

Assessment is by Objective Structure Clinical Examination (OSCE), multiple-choice questions, assignments, literature review, prescribing audit, change management project, and a competency-based portfolio review.

Programme aims

The PCert and PDip aim to:

- enable you to apply appropriate knowledge, skills and attitudes in order to carry out effectively the role of the general pharmacist practitioner within your pharmacy practice base and wider healthcare teams

- enable you to carry out effective consultations with patients respecting their diverse needs and with regard to confidentiality and consent

- enable you to identify, prioritise and resolve complex pharmaceutical care issues

- enable you to apply knowledge of pathophysiology, pharmacology and the clinical use of drugs and therapeutic guidelines to the treatment of common disease states

- enable you to access, gather, interpret, critically evaluate and summarise medicines information

- enable you to monitor the quality of services provided, identify, prioritise and resolve significant medicines management issues and monitor and evaluate outcomes

- enable you to establish population health needs and apply specialist pharmaceutical knowledge to public health issues.

The MSc aims are to:

- investigate a topic in depth

- evaluate current practice or a new service

- publish research and advance knowledge in pharmacy practice

- develop skills you require for the RPS Advanced Pharmacy Framework

- inspire you and others in your workplace to carry out much needed practice research

- support your future career and perhaps to help you explore new career paths.

Research areas

Chemistry and drug delivery
This group has laboratories with dedicated state-ofthe art drug delivery, nanotechnology, spectroscopy, chromatography and organic synthesis facilities. It brings together researchers in medicinal chemistry and drug design, nanotechnology and materials science, drug delivery and pharmaceutics encouraging a multidisciplinary approach to research. Research covers synthesis and biological evaluation of potential anti-cancer agents, structurebased drug design, QSAR predication of ADMET properties, controlled release, particle engineering, powder technology, pharmaceutical technology, and novel drug delivery systems, with a focus on respiratory drug delivery.

Biological sciences
This group is housed in recently refurbished laboratories with dedicated state-of-the-art molecular biological, electrophysiological, tissue culture and microscopy facilities. The research is divided into four main themes; infectious diseases and allergy; neuroscience; renal and cardiovascular physiology; and pharmacology. Examples of current work include: investigation of the use of non-pathogenic virus ‘pseudotypes’ to study pathogenic RNA, study of the properties of neuronal potassium channels and their modulation and the development of new therapies for patients that have developed acute kidney injury in collaboration with a major pharmaceutical company.

Pharmacy practice
This group conducts research in two areas: public health and medicines optimisation, with a particular focus on cardiovascular diseases and mental health. Work in public health includes studies in physical exercise, alcohol, cardiovascular screening and spirometry testing, plus pharmacovigilance. Studies in medicines optimisation include work in dementia, bipolar disorder and stroke, with an emphasis on the patient perspective.

Careers

This programme provides progression for pharmacists towards advanced practitioner status.

Completion of the practice elements of the course leads to the award of the Certificate of Completion of General Pharmacist Training from an accredited training centre.

Find out how to apply here - https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/apply/

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Overview

Medicines Management has been at the top of our agenda since its inception in the early 1990s. Now it is at the top of the national pharmacy agenda. Our Clinical Pharmacy programme for hospital pharmacists was first established in 1981, and we are proud of our high completion rate.

We are continually updating the programme to meet the changing requirements of the health service and individual practitioners. We are happy to put you in touch with some of our former students for their independent view. It is highly acclaimed by students, employers, purchasers and external course assessors for its structure, content and end value in relation to service, professional and career development.

In the fast changing world of Pharmacy and health care provision, standing still is not an option, but you may, understandably, feel under-equipped to meet the new challenges. Let Keele help you meet the challenges set by the Government’s plan for the profession, Pharmacy in England. Our distance learning programme in Clinical Pharmacy for hospital pharmacists aims to provide you with a wider view of health care, and equip you with sufficient knowledge, skills and confidence to be able to develop and extend your clinical and professional role as part of a multidisciplinary health care team. The programme links to the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework to enable you to meet the relevant competencies and provide evidence for your continued professional development.

The Clinical Pharmacy Programme is designed to allow you choice and flexibility in your progression to Certificate, Diploma and Masters awards, to meet your specific professional development needs and advance your professional practice.

See the website https://www.keele.ac.uk/pgtcourses/clinicalpharmacy/

Course Aims

Keele’s Pg Clinical Pharmacy Programme aims to:
- Build on your existing knowledge of disease states, pharmacology and pharmacokinetics to enable you to apply this in a clinical setting

- Equip you to assess drug therapy for effectiveness, safety, compatibility, patient acceptability and cost, and use this information to make effective interventions and develop and document pharmaceutical care plans

- Encourage you to develop an understanding of the principles of pharmaceutical care and problem-solving approach to clinical practice

- Provide you with a wider view of health care and equip you with sufficient knowledge and skills to be able to develop and extend your professional role

- Increase your confidence in your ability to contribute to patient care as part of the multidisciplinary health care team

- Provide you with a structured learning programme that will help you apply your knowledge and skills in daily practice

- Encourage you to develop a reflective approach to your clinical pharmacy practice

- Encourage you to develop the self-discipline of private study and self-directed learning that will be continued beyond Keele’s Programme in your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) as an independent learner

In addition, you will develop valuable practical skills including written and oral communication, and the ability to design a project, collect, analyse and interpret data.

Course Content

The Clinical Pharmacy programme can be completed via the following flexible pathways to accumulate academic credits at Masters Level:
- CPD Plus+ – register for individual short courses of 10 credits. You can register on a number of occasions in any academic year. Completing 6 CPD Plus+ courses will provide the postgraduate Certificate award and 12 courses the Diploma award.

- CPD Plus+ Open Learn – provides opportunity to negotiate some or all of the content and learning outcomes to meet your specific needs (available as 10, 15 and 30-credit modules)

- Certificate in Clinical Pharmacy – register for 9 months and you’ll complete your choice of 6 of the optional modules from our CPD Plus+ portfolio.

- Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy – register for 21 months and in the first year you will complete the 6 modules as described for the Certificate and an additional 6 modules of your choice in Year 2.

- Professional MSc – Building on the Diploma course students study a further three modules: Research Methods (15 credits), Advanced Practice Development (15 credits) and Independent Learning Project (30 credits)

The CPD Plus+ short courses that are currently available, and which also form the course content for Certificate and Diploma courses are:
- Cardiovascular Disease 1
- Cardiovascular Disease 2
- Central Nervous System Diseases
- Critical Care and Parenteral Nutrition
- Education Theory and Practice for Health Professionals (includes two f2f study days)
- Endocrine Disease
- Quality in Healthcare & Evidence-Based Practice (includes Critical Appraisal)
- Gastrointestinal Disease
- Hepatic Disease
- HIV & AIDS
- Infections
- Joint Disease
- Malignant Disease
- Medicines Optimisation and Patient Centred Care
- Mental Health
- Monitoring Therapy
- Neonatal and Child Health
- Personal Effectiveness and Collaborative Working
- Renal Disease
- Respiratory Disease
- Surgical

Teaching & Assessment

The Clinical Pharmacy Programme is designed principally for distance-learning. We provide mainly online distance-learning materials so that you can study where and when it is most convenient for you. Our methods of delivery allow us to revise and update the course quickly to meet your changing needs as a pharmacist.

The Clinical Pharmacy Programme is fully supported by a team of experienced, friendly, and approachable academic, administrative and technical staff based at Keele. The Programme is also supported by our network of experienced, practising hospital pharmacists who fulfil the roles of clinical co-ordinators and tutors. You’re not on your own! And, don’t forget the network of other pharmacists on the course whom you can contact. You will require the equivalent of 1-2 days (approximately 10-15 hours) each week to complete your course. Remember that the online nature of our course materials, and the fact that a good proportion of the assessed work focuses on your daily practice, means that you can integrate study and work.

Assessment is entirely by coursework for the Certificate, Diploma and MSc courses. A variety of assessment methods are used.

All of the modules contain Practice-Based Assignments that will assess your knowledge, problem-solving skills, and data interpretation skills in relation to application of knowledge to practice, patient care and medicines management. Case Presentations assess your ability to critically appraise the literature and relate published theory to everyday practice.

An Audit Project, Practice-Based Assignments , Project Protocol Development and the Independent Study Project Report assess ‘thinking’ and practical skills, and your ability to plan, conduct and report on an investigation. They also assess your ability to critically appraise the literature and relate published theory to everyday practice. Your Reflective Portfolio also assesses your ability to relate theory to practice, and self evaluation of, and reflection on, your own performance and CPD needs.

The nature of the assessments develops your written and oral communication skills. Practical skills and key life/transferable skills are assessed within the methods described above. Each method of assessment is supported by clear criteria for marking; these are explained in the relevant Course Handbooks. The minimum pass mark is 50%. The summative assessment is supported by a variety of formative assessment activities that include online discussions, formative feedback on elements of the reflective portfolio, contributions to study days and feedback on draft proposals.

Additional Costs

For all programmes you will need regular access to a computer, email and the internet. However apart from additional costs for text books, inter-library loans and potential overdue library fines we do not anticipate any additional costs for our postgraduate programmes.

Find information on Scholarships here - http://www.keele.ac.uk/studentfunding/bursariesscholarships/

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Overview

Medicines Management has been at the top of our agenda since its inception in the early 1990s. Now it is at the top of the national pharmacy agenda.

We are continually updating the programme to meet the changing requirements of the health service and individual practitioners. We are happy to put you in touch with some of our former students for their independent view. It is highly acclaimed by students, employers, purchasers and external course assessors for its structure, content and end value in relation to service, professional and career development.

In the fast changing world of Pharmacy and health care provision, standing still is not an option, but you may, understandably, feel under-equipped to meet the new challenges. Let Keele help you meet the challenges set by the Government’s plan for the profession, Pharmacy in England. Our distance learning programme in Community Pharmacy for community and primary care pharmacists aims to provide you with a wider view of health care, and equip you with sufficient knowledge, skills and confidence to be able to develop and extend your clinical and professional role as part of a multidisciplinary health care team.

The Community Pharmacy Programme is designed to allow you choice and flexibility in your progression to Certificate, Diploma and Masters awards, to meet your specific professional development needs and advance your professional practice.

See the website https://www.keele.ac.uk/pgtcourses/communitypharmacy/

Course Aims

Keele’s Pg Community Pharmacy Programme aims to:
- Provide you with a broad view of the issues relevant to pharmacy practice and medicines management in community pharmacy and primary care

- Equip you with the clinical and professional knowledge base and skills necessary to fulfil and extend your role in community pharmacy and primary care

- Provide you with a structured learning programme that will help you apply your knowledge and skills in daily practice

- Increase your confidence in your ability to contribute to patient care as part of the multidisciplinary health care team

- Provide you with a wider view of health care and equip you with sufficient knowledge and skills to be able to develop and extend your professional role

- Provide you with a structured learning programme that will help you apply your knowledge and skills in daily practice

- Encourage you to develop a reflective approach to professional practice

- Encourage you to develop the self-discipline of private study and self-directed learning that will be continued beyond Keele’s Programme in your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) as an independent learner

In addition, you will develop valuable practical skills including written and oral communication, and the ability to design a project, collect, analyse and interpret data.

Teaching & Assessment

The Community Pharmacy Programme is designed principally for distance-learning. We provide mainly online distance-learning materials so that you can study where and when it is most convenient for you. Our methods of delivery allow us to revise and update the course quickly to meet your changing needs as a pharmacist.

The Community Pharmacy Programme is fully supported by a team of experienced, friendly, and approachable academic, administrative and technical staff based at Keele. The Programme is also supported by our network of experienced, practising community and primary care tutors. You’re not on your own! And, don’t forget the network of other pharmacists on the course whom you can contact. You will require the equivalent of 1-2 days (approximately 10-15 hours) each week to complete your course. Remember that the online nature of our course materials, and the fact that a good proportion of the assessed work focuses on your daily practice, means that you can integrate study and work.

Assessment is entirely by coursework for the Certificate, Diploma and MSc courses. A variety of assessment methods are used.

All of the modules contain Practice-Based Assignments that will assess your knowledge, problem-solving skills, and data interpretation skills in relation to application of knowledge to practice, patient care and medicines management. Case Presentations assess your ability to critically appraise the literature and relate published theory to everyday practice.

A Project Assignment, Project Protocol Development and the Independent Study Project Report assess ‘thinking’ and practical skills, and your ability to plan, conduct and report on an investigation. They also assess your ability to critically appraise the literature and relate published theory to everyday practice. Your Reflective Portfolio also assesses your ability to relate theory to practice, and self evaluation of, and reflection on, your own performance and CPD needs.

The nature of the assessments develops your written and oral communication skills. Practical skills and key life/transferable skills are assessed within the methods described above. Each method of assessment is supported by clear criteria for marking; these are explained in the relevant Course Handbooks. The minimum pass mark is 50%. The summative assessment is supported by a variety of formative assessment activities that include online discussions and formative feedback on elements of the reflective portfolio.

Additional Costs

For all programmes you will need regular access to a computer, email and the internet. However apart from additional costs for text books, inter-library loans and potential overdue library fines we do not anticipate any additional costs for our postgraduate programmes, with the exception of those listed below.

Masters, Certificate in Research and Evaluation, Community Pharmacy Certificate and the DPharm
You may find it beneficial to purchase a headset to participate in webinars, however this is not essential if your computer has a built in microphone and speakers.

DPharm and Independent prescribing course
There will be additional travel and accommodation costs (if required) to attend the face to face study days or meet with your supervisor (DPharm only) on these programmes.

Find information on Scholarships here - http://www.keele.ac.uk/studentfunding/bursariesscholarships/

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This course has been designed to provide you with a broad education in Clinical Pharmacy in line with opportunities to focus your studies more specifically to your area of practice. It will equip you with the necessary knowledge and skills to enhance your career.

It provides the opportunity for pharmacists to develop professional practice as clinical practitioners involved in making decisions about patient care. Practitioners working in both primary and secondary care contexts will benefit from the development of a range of skills to enhance career prospects and benefit service delivery.

It has been developed to be compatible with competency clusters outlined in the RPS Foundation/ Advanced Pharmacy Framework and is mapped to core dimensions within the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework.

In view of the unique nature of the multidisciplinary input to the course and the fact that it has been designed in collaboration with employers in both primary and secondary care, career prospects for holders of the postgraduate qualification in hospital or community practice are extremely good.

Visit the website http://www.rgu.ac.uk/health-professions/study-options/part-time-learning/clinical-pharmacy-practice

PgCert stage (stage 1)

The first two modules of the course (PgCert stage) are common but you then choose from a number of elective modules to complete the PgDip stage. View CPP routes as table

The first two modules of the course are common to both routes and studied over two semesters:
• PHM031 Pharmaceutical Care Planning
• PHM032 Therapeutics

PgDip stage (stage 2)

During the PgDip stage of the course you are required to chose two 30credit modules out of four possible options:

• PHM028 Pharmacist Independent Prescribing
The aim of this module is to prepare pharmacists to meet the standards set by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) for registration as a pharmacist independent prescriber. In order to be eligible for this module you must hold a current registration with the GPhC or PSNI as a practising pharmacist and have at least two years appropriate patient orientated experience following pre-registration year.

Note: Spaces on this module are limited and places are assigned in order of Independent Prescribing applications received 4months prior to the module start date. You can not secure a place at the time of application to the MSc Clinical Pharmacy.

• PHM026 Medicines Management: Collaborative Working
The aim of this module is to critically explore successful approaches to practice that ensure safe, effective and efficient use of medicines through collaborative working. You will take a closer look at the processes required for the safe, effective and efficient management of medicines, key factors that may impact prescribing choices, aspects that support seamless care and team working skills in the context of medicines management.

• PHM036 Developing and implementing models of care
The aim of this module is to critically investigate the structures, processes and outcomes of a variety of pharmacy services in specialist areas including hospital, community and primary care. You will analyse current national and local policy contexts and critically evaluate structures in relation to pharmacy service provision. You will synthesise, document and justify evidence based care plans in the context of your own practice as well as your organisational and national pharmacy service provision.

• PHM037 Person Centred Care
The aim of this module is to enable you to develop an understanding of person centred care with a focus on pharmaceutical care and service provision. You will gain an appreciation of complex healthcare needs, the influences on individuals engagement with their own health , explore elements that contribute to shared decision making and person centred care planning.

MSc Stage (stage 3)

Students can chose between either module:

• PHM038 Health Services Research
Students progressing to the MSc stage have an opportunity to develop skills and expertise in relation to research and development of pharmacy services. The project area is chosen by you and therefore relevant to your practice and should produce outcomes that allow you to evaluate and develop local services.

• PHM039 Advanced Pharmacy Practice
This module will enable you to develop relevant knowledge, skills, attitudes and competencies required for effective advanced practice. The content is mapped with the RPS Advanced Pharmacy Framework clusters in mind enabling you to develop into an advanced practitioner.

Format

You will be taught via our virtual learning environment CampusMoodle, allowing you to develop clinical knowledge and skills whilst remaining in employment. The modules are delivered part-time.

All your materials will be provided online and are designed to allow self-assessment of learning needs then subsequent acquisition and application of knowledge in practice-related problem-based scenarios. These scenarios may involve you carrying out a range of activities including: participation in online discussion forums, formative peer-assessed essays, short answer problem/case study questions and multiple-choice questions.

Additionally, you will be supported by e-tutors who are all practising clinical pharmacy practitioners. E-tutors review the learning materials, provide 'real life' case scenarios and participate in the marking of practice related assessments. They facilitate discussion and learning within the modules and bring a unique practice related perspective to learning.

Each module is sub-divided into a number of topics and you are encouraged to use materials to identify and address your own learning needs.

The Course Leader is a central point for information and support with regard to the delivery of the course. It is also recommended that you have a work-placed mentor to provide local support and encouragement.

Assessment

You will be assessed by continuous assessment. This takes many different forms including: responding to case studies, developing care plans and essay responses to specific topics and contribution to online discussion forums.

Careers

This course has been designed in collaboration with employers in both primary and secondary care ensuring that the course is kept up to date and in line with current practice and the demands of the workplace. The multi-disciplinary nature of the course enhances its appeal to employers and as a result, career prospects remain buoyant in both hospital and community practice.

Employers will benefit from their staff completing this course since it is designed to enable practitioners to develop in the key competency areas for clinical practice. This will mean that staff are able to make valuable contributions to the provision of clinical pharmacy services through the application of aspects of their learning in areas such as direct patient care, personal, problem solving and management and organisation.

How to apply

To find out how to apply, use the following link: http://www.rgu.ac.uk/applyonline

Funding

For information on funding, including loans, scholarships and Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) please click the following link: http://www.rgu.ac.uk/future-students/finance-and-scholarships/financial-support/uk-students/postgraduate-students/postgraduate-students/

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The Postgraduate Diploma in Pharmacy Management offers practitioners working within pharmacy the opportunity to gain a unique qualification in pharmacy management, and thereby an opportunity for career development through the management route, either within secondary care or community pharmacy environments.

Visit the website: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/course/pgd-pharmacy-management-pt-el

Course detail

- Detail -

This diploma will advance the development of pharmacy practitioners in areas of personal and personnel management, marketing principles, and financial management within a framework of self-reflection and self-development. On successful completion of the course, students should have improved management, marketing and financial skills, which will benefit the practitioner, the employer and the community as a whole by the professional development of the pharmacist and other relevant pharmacy staff.

- Purpose -

This programme is designed specifically for those working within pharmacy, to provide a distinct and unique qualification gained from the study of all aspects of pharmacy business management. In order to widen access and participation, the course will be offered as a distance-learning course, allowing practitioners to allocate their time more readily within the demands of their employment.

Completion of the programme will enable the pharmacist/student to consistently achieve the results that they want for themselves, their business, their services and their personal progression.

Career options

Many people working within pharmacy take on a management role to some extent which has not been supported by their undergraduate training. This programme will support those working within pharmacy to the Agenda for Change Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF) who wish to progress and require a postgraduate diploma in addition to their undergraduate degree to do so. This programme will also support those employed within the pharmacy retail sector in community pharmacies who wish to proceed along a management career pathway. Currently most of the postgraduate diplomas that are available are clinical in nature; this programme will provide for those who have chosen a career pathway other than the clinical route e.g. patient-services, medicines information, management.

How to apply: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/apply/how-to-apply#pg

Why Choose Ulster University ?

1. Over 92% of our graduates are in work or further study six months after graduation.
2. We are a top UK university for providing courses with a period of work placement.
3. Our teaching and the learning experience we deliver are rated at the highest level by the Quality Assurance Agency.
4. We recruit international students from more than 100 different countries.
5. More than 4,000 students from over 50 countries have successfully completed eLearning courses at Ulster University.

Flexible payment

To help spread the cost of your studies, tuition fees can be paid back in monthly instalments while you learn. If you study for a one-year, full-time master’s, you can pay your fees up-front, in one lump sum, or in either five* or ten* equal monthly payments. If you study for a master’s on a part-time basis (e.g. over three years), you can pay each year’s fees up-front or in five or ten equal monthly payments each year. This flexibility allows you to spread the payment of your fees over each academic year. Find out more by visiting https://www.ulster.ac.uk/apply/fees-and-finance/postgraduate

Scholarships

A comprehensive range of financial scholarships, awards and prizes are available to undergraduate, postgraduate and research students. Scholarships recognise the many ways in which our students are outstanding in their subject. Individuals may be able to apply directly or may automatically be nominated for awards. Visit the website: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/apply/fees-and-finance/scholarships

English Language Tuition

CELT offers courses and consultations in English language and study skills to Ulster University students of all subjects, levels and nationalities. Students and researchers for whom English is an additional language can access free CELT support throughout the academic year: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/international/english-language-support

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This MSc course is for pharmacy graduates who want to gain experience of clinical pharmacy practice in the UK as well as a postgraduate qualification.

As a student on this course, you will study new developments in the areas of clinical pharmacy and pharmacy practice and spend time in our clinical skills laboratory.

Workshops make extensive use of patient simulation technology known as SimMan 3G, which allows for realistic and challenging scenario-based learning to help with the development of critical thinking and clinical decision-making skills.

You will also have the chance to undertake a placement in a clinical setting to maximise your practical experience and interact with other healthcare professionals and patients.

Extended masters:

The Extended Masters (EMA) gives international applicants the opportunity to take an intensive English language course before starting their degree. Successful completion of the EMA allows you to progress automatically to the MSc.

Course structure

This is a 12-month, full-time course with a combination of seven modules run over two semesters, one independent study module and six university-based modules.

The independent study module is supported by specifically written module materials and staff-led tutorial sessions. The remaining six modules involve a mixture of lectures, skills-based workshops and research-based activity.

You will need to complete a research project and will have a supervisor to support you.

Syllabus

Modules:

Applied Therapeutics
Research Methods
Current Research in Pharmacy and Pharmacology
Clinical Pharmacy Project
Pharmaceutical Skills
Health Promotion for Pharmacists

Options:

Specialised Clinical Practice
Advanced Diabetes Therapies
Pharmaceutical Care of Surgical Patients
Global Perspectives on Health and Medicines

• Applied Therapeutics is a distance-learning module supported by a workbook, tutorials and a clinical placement, giving you an in-depth understanding of the therapeutic process by examining the major diseases that affect the population. It uses evidence-based practice to assist in rational drug therapy, taking patient factors and economic considerations into account.

• Pharmaceutical Skills is a year-long module that gives you the necessary skills to practise pharmacy. These skills include those in communication, record keeping, numeracy, teamwork, literature searching and evaluating, dispensing, and diagnostic and patient management.

• The Special Topic varies according to your interests. Example topics include diabetes, oxidative stress, human disease and the pharmaceutical care of surgical patients.

• The Project module is the largest of the course. It mainly involves independent study, requiring you to collect and analyse your own data and report on your findings, but you will also have a project supervisor who will support and guide you throughout the academic year.

The types of project vary and some may require ethical approval before they begin. Examples of projects that the course leader has supervised include:

• Comparison of the CHADS₂ and HAS-BLED scoring tools to evaluate the current prescribing practice of anticoagulation therapy in atrial fibrillation patients
• Prescribing practice of the selective aldosterone antagonist, eplerenone
• Assessment and management of cardiovascular disease in HIV patients
• Service evaluation to determine whether patients attending cardiac rehabilitation have had their cardio-protective medication up-titrated since discharge
• The use of vancomycin infusion in cardiothoracic patients
• Treatment of hyperglycaemia in acute coronary syndrome patients

SimMan 3G

All Clinical Pharmacy students have access to our SimMan 3G, a highly advanced patient simulator that allows you to monitor vital signs, detect numerous signs of disease and assess clinical response to drug treatment in real time.

The simulator can be programmed to exhibit the symptoms of specific medical conditions, so you can apply your theoretical knowledge to a variety of practical scenarios. This will help you to be more confident when faced with similar real-life situations.

Careers and Employability

You will graduate with enhanced career opportunities and a deeper understanding of research methodology, which may be appropriate for further study of a PhD. The course is beneficial to students who have had a career break and want to get back into the workplace, or who want a career change to a role more focused in clinical pharmacy.

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If you are a registered pharmacist working in primary care, hospital, community pharmacy or the pharmaceutical industry and wish to develop your role as an Advanced Pharmacy Practitioner, then this postgraduate course will be of interest to you. The course provides an in-depth understanding of safety and risk management concepts which underpin the effective use of medicines in practice. You will benefit from the opportunity to learn with other healthcare professionals. The programme offers the flexibility of a choice of core and optional modules to build credits towards an MSc, Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate.

About the course

Full-time Pathway (overseas students)
The full-time pathway is for overseas pharmacists and starts in September, lasting for 12 months. There are 7 compulsory modules across the year, which are all taught. In addition you will have some work placements at a local hospital to allow you to put into practice what you have been taught. The year finishes with the production of a dissertation on a pharmacy related subject in the Project module.

Part-time Pathway (for UK registered pharmacists)
The part-time pathway is for UK registered pharmacist intending to top up their CPD or gain a qualification. It can be taken over 5 years if necessary, and starts at the beginning of each semester (depending on module availability). Please see the programme specification to what modules are available to practicing UK pharmacists. We are also able to take a limited number of credits from other health-related modules available at our University. This includes the Independent Prescribing course which is charged at a premium rate.

Individual optional modules may also be undertaken as free standing modules and short courses. UK pharmacists with an existing UK postgraduate diploma or certificate obtained within the last 5 years will be able to carry forward all or part of these qualifications towards the award of an MSc. This will be decided on a case by case basis but typically a pharmacist with a postgraduate diploma in pharmacy practice/clinical pharmacy may be able to take forward 90 credits. An award of MSc requires the accumulation of 180 credits (including a 60 credit research element).

Why choose this course?

-Flexibility of choosing different modules
-The programme offers inter-professional working opportunities
-The School of Pharmacy facilities including a sterile suite and simulated pharmacy
-Helpful and friendly staff

Careers

This programme offers excellent opportunities for continuing professional development for practicing pharmacists. It is an MSc programme, but UK pharmacists can also choose to study specific modules relevant to their professional development needs as short courses.

Teaching methods

Teaching methods are varied including lectures, seminars and workshops. Problem Based Learning (PBL) will underpin the delivery of the Therapeutics and Work Related Learning modules. The course is intense and will require students to be "self directed" learners.

Our facilities

Our school, at the University of Hertfordshire offers world-class teaching and learning facilities, including Europe's largest medical simulation laboratory.

Work Placement

There is an in-course work placement for international students.

Structure

-Clinical Pharmacy in Practice
-Core Competencies in Pharmacy Practice
-Leadership in Practice
-Project (ACPP)
-Work-Based Learning for Pharmacists

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The purpose of the Clinical Pharmacy Practice programme is to enable pharmacists who have at least 6 months patient-facing post registration experience to develop advanced knowledge skills and attributes in the professional practice of Pharmacy and ensure safe, effective and rational use of medicines. The programme will provide a wide range of opportunities to enable individuals to develop an in depth understanding of the evidence base and safety framework for healthcare and medicines management. The programme offers the opportunity for multi-professional working with others who are involved in the provision of health care. The changes in healthcare and the implications for the changing role of Pharmacists are integral to the development of this programme. Patient safety and medicines optimisation are integral to the goals of developing healthcare services and is fundamental to safe effective and rational use of medicines.

About the course

MSc Advancing Clinical Pharmacy Practice
This programme provides an opportunity to study a wide range of pharmacy practice, medicines management and public health related theory and to explore the professional practice of pharmacy in a clinical setting.

MSc Advancing Clinical Pharmacy Practice with extended placement
This pathway builds on the MSc Advancing Clinical Pharmacy Practice to allow students to demonstrate an advanced knowledge and systematic understanding of pharmaceutical care delivery in a hospital setting. This will be achieved by students undertaking 6 months of clinical rotations based in local NHS hospitals.

Our facilities

Our school, at the University of Hertfordshire offers world-class teaching and learning facilities, including Europe's largest medical simulation laboratory.

Structure

Core Modules
-Clinical Pharmacy in Practice
-Core Competencies in Pharmacy Practice
-Leadership in Practice
-Project (ACPP)
-Work-Based Learning for Pharmacists

Optional
-Extended Clinical Placement

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This MSc is an advanced-level programme offered by UCL School of Pharmacy together with several local hospitals or teaching hospitals within London. It is designed for overseas pharmacists who wish to develop the clinical expertise and leadership skills needed to deliver enhanced pharmacy services adapted to their home countries.

Degree information

Pharmacists will develop clinical pharmacy skills, inquisitive and enquiring approaches to practice and pharmaceutical care delivery, critical thinking and appraisal skills, transferable skills for pharmaceutical care services in new settings and environments, and an international perspective on healthcare systems and health needs of different populations worldwide.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. The programme consists of four core modules (120 credits) and a dissertation (60 credits). There are no optional modules for this programme.

Core modules
-Clinical Pharmacy Practice and Policy I
-Clinical Pharmacy Practice and Policy II
-Clinical Practice at Placement Site
-International Perspectives on Health

Dissertation/report
All students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a dissertation.

Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures and workshops, case tutorials and small-group work. Assessment is through written examination, coursework, resesarch projects and oral presentations.

Careers

Graduates of this programme usually return to their home countries to work in governnment ministries, hospitals and universities, or pursue a PhD in the UK or overseas.

Top career destinations for this degree:
-Clinical Pharmacist, Nigerian National Petroleum Company
-Assistant Lecturer, Niger Delta University
-PhD in Pharmacy, University of Kent
-Clinical Instructor, Kuwait University

Why study this degree at UCL?

The programme is centred on the health priorities of the World Health Organisation, which includes diabetes, cardiovascular and infectious diseases. Approximately half of the programme is delivered through taught modules at the UCL School of Pharmacy with the remaining time spent gaining clinical and research experience at hospitals in the London area under the tutelage of clinical pharmacy specialists.

Students develop new learning styles as they progress through the programme. This makes for a stimulating and challenging year where self-development is central.

This programme has drawn international students from approximately 40 countries worldwide.

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As a student on this course you will study new developments in the areas of pharmaceutics, clinical pharmacy and pharmacy practice and have the opportunity to develop a programme of work that meets your individual needs.

When you have completed the course, you will be able to undertake pre-registration training and apply for the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) registration exam with the aim of becoming a UK-registered pharmacist.

For the MSc award, research projects run from June to September following completion of the PGDip modules.

The PGDip is accredited by the GPhC as an Overseas Pharmacists’ Assessment Programme (OSPAP).

The course includes experiential visits to community and hospital pharmacies to help you build practical experience in healthcare.

Course structure

There are seven diploma modules run over two semesters: one independent study and six university-based modules. The independent study module is supported by specifically written module materials and staff-led tutorial sessions. The remaining six modules involve a mixture of lectures and skills-based workshops and are run over two days per week at the university.

Although attendance for the diploma modules is only required at the university for two days a week, attendance for the MSc project from June to August requires attendance five days a week.

Areas of study

Studies focus on new developments in the areas of pharmaceutics, clinical pharmacy and pharmacy practice. In addition, you explore pharmacy law and ethics, contemporary pharmacy issues and UK healthcare provision. There is also an opportunity for you to develop a programme of work that suits your individual requirements.

You choose your topic for the research project from the range of research interests in the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences. Current research areas in the school include work with paediatric medicine, patient mood and health outcomes, the role of empathy in consultation skills, and patients’ and pharmacists’ knowledge of and attitudes towards counterfeit drugs.

Modules:

Scientific Basis of Pharmacy Practice
Applied Therapeutics
Advanced Drug Delivery
Advanced Professional Studies
Health Promotion for Pharmacists
Inception to Market
Pharmaceutical Skills
Research Project

Careers and Employability

On completion of the course you will be able to undertake pre-registration training and apply for the General Pharmaceutical Council registration examination, which will allow you to become a UK-registered pharmacist.

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This course is for overseas (non-EEA) pharmacists who wish to convert their existing qualifications so they can practice as a pharmacist in Great Britain. The University of Hertfordshire OSPAP is accredited by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).

About the course

The Overseas Pharmacy Assessment Programme (OSPAP) is a full-time programme starting during September and ending in May. The teaching is undertaken over a 3 day week during the academic year which is divided into two terms.

The OSPAP will give you an insight into the way the National Health Service in the UK operates, inform you of the health regulatory laws and professional codes pharmacists must abide by, in addition to allowing you to integrate science based knowledge, such as pharmaceutics and microbiology, into clinical and patient focused settings.

The programme aims to prepare you for professional practice as safe, knowledgeable and up to date pharmacists. Whilst at the University you will be expected to act professionally and in agreement with the student Code of Conduct and GPhC Fitness to Practise standards.

Why choose this course?

-Excellent facilities including a simulated pharmacy and refurbished labs.
-Placements and visits in hospital and community pharmacy
-Interprofessional learning opportunities
-Regular promotion of pre-registration employment opportunities as well as support for your pre-registration year
-Friendly and supportive staff
-Active Pharmacy SocietyEncouraged attendance at local Pharmacy events such as the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Local Practice Forum
-University is well placed geographically and has strong links with local healthcare providers and pharmaceutical industries
-Opportunity to upgrade to an MSc degree
-Opportunity to apply for the Vice Chancellor’s Scholarship

Professional Accreditations

General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)

Careers

After completing the OSPAP Diploma and successfully passing the subsequent GPhC pre-registration pharmacist training year, you will be able to register and practice as a UK qualified pharmacist in various environments, (including community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy industrial or academic establishments), undertaking a diverse array of challenging roles.

You are strongly advised to check the latest visa details or changes on the Home Office website and UK Border Agency website regarding working in the UK. This is very important as you will need to work as a pre-registration Pharmacist for 12 months after successfully completing the OSPAP course. Whilst every effort will be made to guide you through the application process, including assistance with interview skills and CV writing, please be aware that it is not the University's responsibility to secure you a pre-registration position.

Teaching methods

Teaching during the academic year is divided into two terms, with written assessment papers at the end of the academic year (May/June). During the programme, you will be taught and learn via a range of techniques, including formal lectures, laboratory based classes, on-line discussions, tutorials and simulation. You will develop a wide range of academic and practical skills such as written and verbal communication, team work and leadership capabilities, critical evaluation, clinical judgement and organisational skills. You will be expected to submit a variety of assignments regularly, as required by each module leader, in order to meet the specified learning outcomes of the programme.

Work Placement

As part of the OSPAP you will have the opportunity to undertake a short, supervised, hospital visit and a community pharmacy placement as part of your study modules. This practical component will require a letter of good standing from the police authorities in your country of origin if you have not been in the UK for at least 6 months. If you have been in the UK for at least 6 months you will need to complete a DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) application form. In all cases students will be expected to attend our Occupational Health Department and receive any necessary vaccinations prior to attending placements.

Structure

Core Modules
-Medicines and Pharmacy Practice (OSPAP)
-Pharmaceutical Sciences and Therapeutics 1 (OSPAP)
-Pharmaceutical Sciences and Therapeutics 2 (OSPAP)
-Preparation for Practice (OSPAP)
-Study Skills and Practice Orientation (OSPAP)

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