Program Overview

---

Prescribing for Healthcare Professionals (Advancing Practice)

Overview

The aim of the Prescribing for Healthcare Professionals Programme is to allow healthcare practitioners to develop their knowledge of the professional aspects of prescribing practice, prescribing governance, and prescribing in the wider context to demonstrate achievement of the competencies within the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) Prescribing Competency Framework to allow individuals to prescribe safely, effectively and competently.

Key Facts

• Module code: ADPP013
• Start date: 22 September 2025; 19 January 2026
• Application deadline: 8 September 2025; 5 January 2026
• Duration: 25 weeks
• Credit value SCQF: 40
• SCQF level: Level 11
• Fees: Home: £1,778; International: £4,578
• Mode of study: part time
• Delivery: blended

Entrance Requirements

• Applicants must be a Registered Nurse (Level 1), a Registered Midwife or a Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (can be NHS, self-employed or non-NHS employed registrants)
• Applicants for V300 supplementary/ independent prescribing programmes must have been registered with the NMC for a minimum of one year prior to entry
• Applicants who are HCPC registered Allied Health Professionals should be working in the following professional areas with:
  • Independent prescribing rights, for example, Advanced Paramedics, Podiatrists, Physiotherapists and Therapeutic Radiographers
  • Supplementary Prescribing rights, for example, Dieticians and Radiographers
• Applicants are expected to be capable of safe and effective practice at a level of proficiency appropriate to the study being undertaken and intended area of prescribing practice, including:
  • Clinical and health assessment
  • Diagnostics and care management
  • Planning and evaluation of care
• Applicants should be able to demonstrate a requirement for clinical prescribing within their current role
• Applicants are expected to have a suitably qualified Practice Assessor and Practice Supervisor who will provide opportunities to develop competency in prescribing
• Applicants with other forms of learning can be recognised through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Objectives

On completion of this module you will be able to:

• Assess and consult with patients and carers
• Prescribe safely, appropriately and cost-effectively
• Apply the legislation relevant to the practice of prescribing
• Use sources of information, advice and decision support appropriately in prescribing practice
• Critically evaluate the influences on prescribing practice
• Apply knowledge of medications in prescribing practice
• Demonstrate cognisance of the team work and communication networks involved in prescribing, supplying and administering medicines
• Practice within a framework of professional accountability and responsibility in relation to prescribing

Structure and Content

The programme is divided into distinct units. These are intrinsically linked by the nature of the subject material. Outlined below is the broad content of the programme.

• Foundations of Prescribing
• Practice Legislation and Clinical Governance issues
• Clinical Pharmacology, including the effects of Co-morbidity and polypharmacy
• Basic principles of pharmacology; adverse drug reactions; medicines management
• Prescribing and the Wider Healthcare Context
• Realistic Medicine Appropriate prescribing; drug licensing within the public health context
• Prescribing Partnerships
• Consultation, Assessment and decision-making; psychology of prescribing; compliance and concordance
• Prescribing in Practice
• Prescription writing; safety; handling; auditing and monitoring of medicines

Delivery and Assessment

A hybrid approach to learning is used with a mixture of face-to-face, online synchronous and online asynchronous teaching.

The programme includes the following:

• We have four face-to-face teaching on campus days, and we would advocate that students attend at least the first two days in person; however, we appreciate that those based further afield may need to join remotely
• There will be 4.5 days of teaching online, plus the equivalent of 18 days of distance learning delivered through the Canvas virtual learning platform
• The student prescriber must also complete a minimum of 90 hours of supervised learning in practice

The taught component of the module will cover a wide range of topics with key external speakers who are specialists in their area which will relate to prescribing. Further topics for studying during the taught component are patient assessment, consultation styles, decision-making and concordant approaches to diagnosis and planning of care, external influences on prescribing and medicines management.

The taught component is delivered using a variety of teaching methods including lectures, discussions, seminars and self-directed group work.

Assessments:

• A two-part written exam (online) - Part 1 pharmacology-based, part 2 numeracy/drug calculations
• Submission of a portfolio of evidence supporting the acquisition of competencies
• Assessment of examination in practice (contained with POE)

You must pass all the elements of the assessment for successful completion of the programme

Employability

All modules can be linked to specific professional capability/competency frameworks within your practice area

You are encouraged to view your participation in the MSc Advancing Practice programme as a means of supporting your professional development plans (PDP) and career progression

This module may be completed as a single credit-based module. Alternatively, you can use it as credit towards the MSc Advancing Practice

Modules will be offered subject to demand and need to meet a minimum class size of eight students

Accreditation

The content meets the requirements of the Nursing and Midwifery Council and the Health Care Professions Council