Practice Certificate in Independent Prescribing

Become equipped with the skills to prescribe medications safely and effectively. This postgraduate course integrates theoretical learning with practical experience to allow you to undertake roles that require you to take on prescribing responsibilities.

This course is currently open to pharmacists, physiotherapists, podiatrists, paramedics and therapeutic radiographers. If you are a nurse or midwife, please view this course page.

Course Structure

This multi-professional blended learning course takes place over six months including two face-to-face study days. Attendance at the University for these dates is mandatory. There is an additional one day for completion of the face-to-face assessment.

You will be required to arrange a minimum of 90 hours (12 days) placement, in practice under the clinical supervision of an approved Designated Prescribing Practitioner (DPP). This is necessary in order to complete the programme.

Should your working circumstances or placement arrangements change, and you're therefore not able to successfully complete the required clinical supervision, you'll not be able to complete the programme.There will also be monthly online sessions to support your learning.

Face-to-face study days

NB: Timetables will be confirmed on induction.

• The course combines online learning with interactive face-to-face study days, enhancing flexibility and engagement.
• Includes 90 hours of supervised practice under a Designated Prescribing Practitioner to build real-world skills.
• Simulation-based learning utilises role-playing with expert patient actors to develop communication and clinical skills.

On successful completion of the course, you will be awarded the Practice Certificate in Independent Prescribing and be eligible for annotation by your regulator as an independent prescriber.

Face-to-face study days – core clinical assessment skills will be developed including consultation and clinical skills. Role-play scenarios including the use of expert patient actors and associate clinical educators will facilitate the development of effective communication and clinical examination skills.

Independent learning - You'll use the web-based SCRIPT e-learning programme. This comprises of 51 modules designed to improve prescribing competency and is developed in partnership with Health Education England – West Midlands and OCB media. SCRIPT offers a range of modules including Fundamentals of Pharmacology, Dosing and Calculations and modules related to specific therapeutic areas.

Supervised learning – You’ll require an identified Designated Prescribing Practitioner (DPP) to supervise the minimum 12 days (90 hours) learning in practice.

Assessment methods - Three station OSCE, critical reflection, structured reflective portfolio and satisfactory completion of 90 hours supervised learning in practice, validated and signed off by DPP.

Nominated DPPs must be a registered medical or non-medical practitioner who must fulfil the following eligibility criteria, which underpin the competencies within the 'A Competency Framework for Designated Prescribing Practitioner' (RPS 2019), and should be met by all DPPs:

1. Regulatory requirements:

• Any prescriber taking on the DPP role must be registered with their professional regulator.
• All Non-Medical Practitioners undertaking the DPP role should have the necessary annotation for a prescriber as required by their regulator.

2. Prescribing competency framework requirements:

• Any registered health professional practitioner acting in the DPP role must be able to demonstrate they meet all competencies within the Competency Framework for all Prescribers (RPS 2021)

Suitability of the role will be determined at the application stage. DPPs must be fit to undertake the role and must have experience of teaching and supporting students within the clinical area.

This multi-professional blended learning course takes place over 6 months including 2 face-to-face study days. Attendance at the University for these dates is mandatory.

There is an additional 1 day for completion of the face-to-face assessment.

You will be required to arrange a minimum of 90 hours (12 days) placement, in practice under the clinical supervision of an approved Designated Prescribing Practitioner (DPP). This is necessary to complete the programme. Should your working circumstances or placement arrangements change, and you are therefore unable to successfully complete the required clinical supervision, you will not be able to complete the programme.

There will also be monthly online sessions to support your learning.

Due to the nature of teaching and learning on this course the number of places in each cohort is controlled. Admissions to the Practice Certificate in Independent Prescribing may therefore be competitive.

If your application meets the criteria (subject to conditions placed on the application) but the immediate cohort is full, a conditional offer will be recommended for the next available entry.

Please note as you are qualified, registered and practicing professionals, you are subject to the fitness to practice procedure for your professional regulator.

Pharmacists

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) sets learning outcomes for independent prescribing courses. Courses are underpinned by A Competency Framework for all Prescribers. By the end of the course you must provide evidence that you meet the learning outcomes and prescribing competencies. Please also refer to GPhC Standards for pharmacy professionals and the eligibility criteria for becoming a Designated Prescribing Practitioner (DPP) Designated Prescribing Practitioner Competency Framework.

• Current registration for Pharmacists with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) or Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (PSNI).
• Honours degree or evidence of ability to study the prescribing qualification at Level M (MPharm or equivalent professional qualification).
• Relevant experience in a UK pharmacy setting and be able to recognise, understand and articulate the skills and attributes required by a prescriber.
• Identify an area of clinical or therapeutic practice on which to base your learning.
• Written confirmation from your employer/sponsor of their support for you to undertake the course and to provide appropriate supervised practice in the clinical area where you are expected to prescribe.
• Have an identified Designated Prescribing Practitioner (DPP) who meets the eligibility criteria for supervision of trainee prescribers and who has agreed to provide the required term of a minimum of 90 hours supervised practice.

Physiotherapists, Podiatrists, Paramedic, Therapeutic Radiographers

The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) sets standards for prescribing and has adopted the Competency Framework for all Prescribers.

Further information: http://www.ahpf.org.uk/AHP_Prescribing_Programme_Information.htm

Eligibility criteria for becoming a Designated Prescribing Practitioner (DPP) Designated Prescribing Practitioner Competency Framework.

• Current registration with the Health & Care Professions Council and professional group e.g. Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (includes professional indemnity).
• A BSc/BA Honours degree or equivalent. The degree should normally be a first or upper second class Honours degree.
• Be professionally practicing in an environment where there is an identified need to regularly use independent prescribing.
• Have normally at least 3 years relevant post-qualification experience in the clinical area in which you will be prescribing.
• Be working at an advanced practitioner or equivalent level.
• Identify an area of clinical or therapeutic practice on which to base your learning.
• Written confirmation from your employer/sponsor of their support for you to undertake the course and to provide appropriate supervised practice in the clinical area where you are expected to prescribe.
• Be able to demonstrate how you reflect on your own performance, take responsibility for your own Continuing Professional Development (CPD) including development of networks for support, reflection and learning.
• Have an identified Designated Prescribing Practitioner (DPP) who meets the eligibility criteria for supervision of trainee prescribers and who has agreed to provide the required term of a minimum of 90 hours supervised practice.
• A satisfactory current enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) statement (DBS within the last three years/confirmation from employer that current DBS is acceptable).

We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2025 entry are above.

The fees quoted are for one year only. For those studying courses that are longer than one year, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of your programme.

Paying your tuition fees

Tuition fees can either be paid in full or by instalments. You can check whether you are eligible for UK or international fees with our admissions team.

Learn more about postgraduate tuition fees and funding.

Application deadlines

• March 2025 Cohort: Monday 17th February 2025

Please note

• The course is only available to applicants who are registered with: the General Pharmaceutical Council, and the Health and Care Professionals Council.
• The running of the course is subject to minimum numbers. Places are offered on a first come first served basis.

Graduate destinations include: GP surgeries, mental health services, addiction services, pain management, and specialist secondary care services.