Program Overview

Clinically Enhanced Independent Prescribing PgCert

The Clinically Enhanced Independent Prescribing PgCert has been designed to enhance practice as a clinician and delivery of care to patients, and is suitable for all clinical specialties. This accredited qualification enables evaluation and challenge of prescribing practice with reference to evidence-based practice, equality and diversity, and clinical governance, and develops clinically enhanced skills relevant to a specialist area.

Course Overview

The course is taught predominantly online and in the in-practice learning environment. It is a 60-credit, level 7 qualification made up of one core 45-credit prescribing practice certificate and one 15-credit standalone module. The core practice certificate and standalone module can be completed independently, but both must be completed to obtain the full PgCert qualification.

Course Objectives

The course objectives are to:

1. Provide opportunities to realise academic potential through a range of learning experiences.
2. Develop the knowledge, skills, and clinical confidence to prepare pharmacists to become safe independent prescribers, working effectively within a healthcare team.
3. Develop clinical enhanced skills relevant to a specialist area.
4. Demonstrate clinical and professional collaboration with patients and other healthcare workers.

Modules

• Pharmacist Independent Prescribing Practice Certificate: 45 credits
• Clinically Enhanced Prescribing in Acute and Emergency Medicine: 15 credits
• Total: 60 credits

Entry Requirements

We welcome applications from candidates interested in the course who have the skills and capability to excel. All candidates are considered on an individual basis based on their qualifications and experience.

• Be a registered pharmacist with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (PSNI), or a registered nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) employed in a patient-facing role, and be of good standing with the regulatory body.
• Must have written approval from the employer/line manager and Non-Medical Prescribing lead (if applicable) supporting study.
• A Designated Prescribing Practitioner (DPP) who has agreed to supervise the in-practice learning element.
• A suitably qualified clinical supervisor to complete 25 hours of in-practice learning and a clinical framework.

Fees and Scholarships

• UK / International students (2025/26): Annual tuition fees are ｣4,200.
• The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees annually in accordance with its Terms and Conditions.
• Scholarships are available for West Midlands pharmacists, nurses, or AHPs who can apply to Health Education England (HEE) for possible funding.

Assessment

Assessment methods vary for each core and optional module and include:

• Reflective portfolios of in-practice learning
• OSCE and OSCE plus
• Case Presentations
• Skills-based clinical framework
• Reflective written assignments
• Written pharmacology and numeric examination
• Formative assessment, peer assessment, clinical skills demonstration

Career Prospects

On successful graduation, students will be well prepared for a research-focused role in a broad spectrum of academic, commercial, industrial, biomedical, or healthcare settings. Students will also be well-positioned to continue with further research in the form of a PhD. Recent graduate roles include clinical research associate, laboratory technician, medical research technician, PhD study, neuroscience research assistant, bioscience technical assistant, and management trainee.