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    Independent Prescribing for Pharmacists (Level 7) - 45 credits

    Independent Prescribing (IP) is becoming an essential skill for pharmacists, to enhance their existing role or to act as a catalyst for role change. Our dedicated IP Team continues to develop the curriculum to ensure you meet the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) learning outcomes and are appropriately prepared for your future prescribing practice.

    Applications for February 2024 are now closed. Applications for September 2024 will open shortly, with an application deadline of 31 July 2024. Please note the University reserves the right to close this programme early if sufficient applications are received.

    Month of entry

    • September and February

    Mode of study

    • Part time

    Location

    Subject area

    • Pharmacy

    Fees for 2024/25 academic year


    • UK - Part time £3,200 per year

    Duration of study

    • 6 months

    Why study Independent Prescribing for Pharmacists (Level 7) - 45 credits at Keele University?

    1st in the UK to receive accreditation by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain
    Learn from tutors who are qualified prescribers
    Our programme is approved by the General Pharmaceutical Council
    The distance learning format of the course enables you to study where and when it is most convenient

    Course summary

    Our course is designed specifically for pharmacists and both the course manager and course tutors are qualified prescribers. In addition, our course has been approved by the GPhC to be delivered by a distance learning format requiring only four days attendance at the University and a further two online study days over a 6-month period. The distance learning format of the course enables busy health professionals to study where and when it is most convenient to them. If you are still wondering whether the IP course is for you have a look at the Preparing to Prescribe toolkit that was developed by Surrey University with input from Keele.

    The aims and learning outcomes for the course are those stipulated by the GPhC for a full Independent Prescribing programme. They are expressed below in a manner that is compatible with Masters level study.

    Following completion of the course, pharmacist independent prescribers will be able to demonstrate all 32 of the GPhC learning outcomes, by applying knowledge of therapeutics and prescribing to the condition(s) for which they intend to prescribe, using an evidence-based approach that takes into account recent research and current professional practice. 

    The learning outcomes are presented under four domains: 

    • person-centred care
    • professionalism
    • professional knowledge and skills, and 
    • collaboration

    and can be accessed on pages 7-9 here: ‌Learning outcomes

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    Course structure

    The course has been designed to allow students to meet all of the GPhC’s learning outcomes.

    In addition, students are required to meet some selected prescribing competencies that are included in the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s prescribing framework.

    February 2024 Study Dates (provisional):

    • Study day 1 (online) - Tuesday 6th February 2024
    • Study day 2 (online) - Wednesday 7th February 2024
    • Study day 3 (Keele) -  Tuesday 5th March 2024
    • Study day 4 (Keele) -  Wednesday 6th March 2024
    • Study day 5 (Keele) -  Wednesday 8th May 2024
    • Study day 6 (Keele) -  Wednesday 5th June 2024
    • Resit (Keele) -  Wednesday 14th August 

    N.B. It is compulsory that you attend all of the above study days in order to complete the Independent Prescribing course.

    There will be additional travel and accommodation costs (if required) to attend the face to face study days.

    Modules

    The module details given below are indicative, they are intended to provide you with an idea of the range of subjects that are taught to our current students. The modules that will be available for you to study in future years are prone to change as we regularly review our teaching to ensure that it is up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods, as well as student voice. The information presented is therefore not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules available in any given year.

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    Entry requirements

    The following entrance requirements are stipulated by the GPhC and the University:

    • Current registration with GPhC &/or PSNI as a practising pharmacist and be of good standing with their Regulatory Body
    • Have appropriate patient orientated experience practising in a hospital, community or primary care setting
    • Identify an area of clinical practice and need in which to develop their prescribing skills
    • Understand the role of an Independent Prescriber and the required skills and attributes
    • Able to provide written endorsement from an appropriate Designated Prescribing Practitioner - (DPP) that they will supervise the 'learning in practice' element of the course. This should be in the clinical area in which the pharmacist intends to prescribe independently immediately on qualification.

    Please note, places on each cohort are limited to 60 and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis to completed applications submitted.  If all places are allocated, successful applicants will be offered the next available cohort.

    The following resources will support you in your role as a DPP. 

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    Entry requirements

    The following section details our typical entry requirements for this course for a range of UK and international qualifications. If you don't see your qualifications listed, please contact us to find out if we can accept your qualifications.

    The following entrance requirements are stipulated by the GPhC and the University:

    • Current registration with GPhC &/or PSNI as a practising pharmacist and be of good standing with their Regulatory Body
    • Have appropriate patient orientated experience practising in a hospital, community or primary care setting
    • Identify an area of clinical practice and need in which to develop their prescribing skills
    • Understand the role of an Independent Prescriber and the required skills and attributes
    • Able to provide written endorsement from an appropriate Designated Prescribing Practitioner - (DPP) that they will supervise the 'learning in practice' element of the course. This should be in the clinical area in which the pharmacist intends to prescribe independently immediately on qualification.

    Please note, places on each cohort are limited to 60 and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis to completed applications submitted.  If all places are allocated, successful applicants will be offered the next available cohort.

    The following resources will support you in your role as a DPP. 

    English language requirements

    All of our courses require an English language qualification or test. For most students, this requirement can be met with a 4 or C in GCSE English. Please see our English Language guidance pages for further details, including English language test information for international students. For those students who require an English language test, this course requires a test from .

    References

    Normally, you will need to provide at least one academic reference to support your application unless you have been out of study longer than two years. If it has been more than two years since you last studied on a degree-level programme, you will normally need to provide an employment reference instead. For more information about Academic References, please see our Postgraduate how to apply web pages.

    Personal Statement/Statement of Purpose

    Please see our Postgraduate how to apply web pages for guidance on what to include in your personal statement.

    Recognition of Prior Learning

    The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process which enables applicants to receive recognition and formal credit for learning acquired in the past through formal study or work and life experiences.

    RPL can also be requested for admission onto the start of a programme in lieu of the admission requirements. For more information, see our Recognition of Prior Learning web pages.

    General information

    The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the typical offer which would be made to candidates, along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate's application.

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    Funding

    It's important to plan carefully for your funding before you start your course. Please be aware that not all postgraduate courses are eligible for the UK government postgraduate loans and, in this case, you would be expected to source alternative funding yourself. If you need support researching your funding options, please contact our Financial Support Team.

    Please note, if your course offers a January start date, the January 2024 start date falls in the 2023/24 academic year. Please see the 2023/24 academic year fees for the relevant fees for starting this course in January 2024.

    Planning your funding

    It's important to plan carefully for your funding before you start your course. Please be aware that not all postgraduate courses and not all students are eligible for the UK government postgraduate loans and, in some cases, you would be expected to source alternative funding yourself. If you need support researching your funding options, please contact our Financial Support Team.

    Scholarships

    We are committed to rewarding excellence and potential. Please visit our Scholarships and Bursaries webpage for more information.

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    Your career

    On successful completion of the programme you will be able to practise and develop as a prescriber and meet the standards set by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).

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    Teaching, learning and assessment

    An interactive distance learning module and a Professional Portfolio of Practice provide the backbone of the IP course with additional clinical and consultation skills taught on six compulsory study days. Student development is achieved via structured and self-directed learning and measured by achievement of learning outcome and prescribing competencies. 

    In your programme you will sometimes be expected to role play and engage in simulated clinical scenarios with other students, such as the practice and observation of practical skills in physical contact with other students. For some specific practices, this may necessitate modification of dress - e.g., to shorts and t-shirt.  These activities will be conducted in a professional, safe,  respectful and culturally sensitive way, under the supervision of academic staff, according to a defined protocol.

    A variety of work-based assessments and coursework is used to meet students’ individual learning needs and maximise experiential learning opportunities.

    These include:

    • Professional Practice Portfolio
    • Patient Case study
    • Clinical and consultation skills assessment

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    Keele Postgraduate Association

    Keele University is one of a handful of universities in the UK to have a dedicated students' union for postgraduate students. A fully registered charity, Keele Postgraduate Association serves as a focal point for the social life and welfare needs of all postgraduate students during their time at Keele.

    KPA interior

    Hugely popular, the KPA Clubhouse (near Horwood Hall) provides a dedicated postgraduate social space and bar on campus, where you can grab a bite to eat and drink, sit quietly and read a book, or switch off from academic life at one of the many regular events organised throughout the year. The KPA also helps to host a variety of conferences, as well as other academic and career sessions, to give you and your fellow postgraduates the opportunities to come together to discuss your research, and develop your skills and networks.

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    Our expertise

    Your learning will be supported by our experienced team of course managers, tutors and administrators. Our study days are also supported by a team of specialist IP’s and medics whose expertise will ensure you the best start in your prescribing career. More information about members of the team can be found in the staff biographies.

    The Centre for Professional Development and Lifelong Learning, part of the School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering at Keele University, has a reputation for online distance learning programmes tailored to the needs of pharmacists, general practitioners, nurses and other members of the health care team.  Our high-quality learning materials have been developed and updated with our extensive network of current multidisciplinary clinical practitioners and includes clinical skills training to help prepare prescribers for a wide range of current and developing prescribing roles.

    We are very proud that The Centre for Professional Development and Lifelong Learning in the School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering was the first education provider in the UK to have its course for preparing pharmacists as supplementary prescribers accredited by the RPSGB in June 2003. We were also among the first to provide an Independent Prescribing (IP) Conversion Course and our UK leading programme trained the first Pharmacist IP graduate in the UK in 2007. Pharmacist Independent Prescribers have graduated with us since and we are now accredited to use the Designated Prescribing Practitioner role.

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    Facilities

    You will study most elements of the Programme at a distance, in your own home or your workplace. The self-study materials comprise of an interactive module which provides an introduction to the key content of the programme, here you will be encouraged to carry out independent self-directed learning, utilise research skills and undertake collaborative tasks with your peers. The module also provides a platform of communication and support between your personal Tutor and peers within in your own dedicated workgroup. The study days complement the module content by providing an environment where you can learn and practice some of the key clinical examination and consultation skills.

    Keele University Library has many resources for your subject, both on campus and on-line.

    You will need regular access to a computer, email and the internet. Additional costs may include textbooks, inter-library loans, potential overdue library fines and those costs associated with travelling to the study days.

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    How to apply

    We reserve the right to close the course when we are in receipt of sufficient applications.
    All applicants are therefore advised to complete and submit your application as soon as possible and before the deadline.

    In addition to our online application form, you will also be required to complete and submit Forms 1,2 and 3 linked below. Please attach the forms to your online application form, when applications open in the autumn.

     

    Additional Forms

    Form 1 - Application Form

    Form 2 - DPP Application Form‌

    Form 3 - Employer Reference

    Independent Prescribing Profiles

    Example student profiles that may facilitate you completing Section A of Form 1 on appropriate patient orientated experience.

    Next Steps

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