Program Overview

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General Pharmacy Practice PCert, PDip, MSc

This programme has been designed in close collaboration with NHS partners to support the development of foundation stage pharmacists. Build your knowledge and skills in clinical pharmacy practice and medicines management. Gain the core skills required to provide holistic pharmaceutical care in the practice setting.

Overview

We work on a philosophy of student-centred workplace learning, supported by workbooks and learning sets facilitated by experienced pharmacy practitioners. You are expected to take responsibility for managing your learning and achieving the course objectives in support of your continuing professional development (CPD).
You will gain the understanding needed to conduct effective consultations with patients respecting their diverse needs and with regard to confidentiality and consent and to identify, prioritise and resolve complex pharmaceutical care issues.

Blended Learning

The postgraduate Diploma in General Pharmacy practice is a predominantly work-based programme that develops competencies using the Foundation Pharmacy Framework (FPF), a validated competency framework accredited by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. As a student on this programme you will be allocated:

• An educational supervisor (practice tutor) who will help you to plan your learning in the workplace
• An academic facilitator who offers support throughout the course. Self-directed learning in the workplace is underpinned by study days (or learning sets) at the university co-ordinated by an academic facilitator.

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.

Entry Requirements

The University will consider applications from students holding a wide range of qualifications.

• Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
• In addition practitioners must have an accredited practice base from which to operate and have access to an accredited educational supervisor.
• All applicants are considered on an individual basis and additional qualifications, professional qualifications and relevant experience may also be taken into account when considering applications.
• International students: Please see our International Student website for entry requirements by country and other relevant information. Due to visa restrictions, students who require a student visa to study cannot study part-time unless undertaking a distance or blended-learning programme with no on-campus provision.

English Language Entry Requirements

This course requires a Good level of English language, equivalent to B2 on CEFR.
Details on how to meet this requirement can be found on our English Language requirements webpage. Examples:

• IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component
• PTE Academic 63 with a minimum of 59 in each sub-test
• A degree from a UK university
• A degree from a Majority English Speaking Country

Course Structure

Modules

Certificate Stage

• Practitioner Development and Establishment of Professional and Clinical Practice (60 credits)

Diploma Stage

• Module A: Developing Self, Others and your Operational Management Skills (30 credits)
• Module B: Ensuring Patient Safety and a Quality Service (30 credits)

MSc

• Research project Duration: PCert: 18 months; PDip: 1 year; MSc 1 year. Maximum time allow from start to completion - 6 years

Postgraduate Certificate (PCert)

There is one intake each year for the certificate level of the programme. Students begin in March of each year and attend eight learning sets over a period of 18 months. By October of the following year, if all the assessments have been passed, you can either exit with a postgraduate certificate or transfer to the postgraduate diploma.

Postgraduate Diploma (PDip)

The postgraduate diploma consists of two separate modules which each run for six months, starting in March and October. Both modules are delivered via three learning sets. Most students complete the certificate and then transfer immediately to the diploma. There is flexibility in the system and you can elect to delay before transferring if necessary. You must complete within six years of the certificate start date.

Master's Degree (MSc)

If you have successfully completed the postgraduate diploma in General Pharmacy Practice you can elect to continue to the MSc. You will complete a research project within your Trust, supported by one or two academics with expertise in practice research. You will gain expertise in research techniques relevant to your project, you will be supported to write a protocol and complete either an NHS or University Ethics application (whichever is appropriate) and to collect and analyse your data. Start dates are in September, January and April.

How You'll Study

Teaching and Assessment

PCert / PDip

You will be assessed through objective structured clinical examination, multiple-choice questions, assignments, a literature review, an audit, a change management project, case study presentation and a competency-based portfolio review. A range of formative workplace assessments will help you to plan their learning and assess current levels of competency against the FPF.

MSc

Research project thesis, poster, abstract and two personal reflections

Programme Aims

For course aims and learning outcomes please see the course specification.

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.

Research

Chemistry and Drug Delivery

This group has laboratories with dedicated state-of-the-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, structure-based 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.

Your Future

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.

Fees and Funding

General Information

For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide. Tuition fees may be increased in the second and subsequent years of your course. Detailed information on possible future increases in tuition fees is contained in the Tuition Fees Increase Policy. If you are uncertain about your fee status please contact .

Additional Costs

Please see our Fees page

Funding

Search our scholarships finder for possible funding opportunities. You may find it helpful to look at both:

• University and external funds
• Scholarships specific to the academic school delivering this programme. Scholarships We have a range of subject-specific awards and scholarships for academic, sporting and musical achievement.