Course Summary
Pharmacists developing skills and knowledge in advanced practice enabling them to lead, develop and support practitioners across the healthcare system.
College Link
Career Sectors
This course prepares you for working in the Career Sectors below. Follow the links to get a fuller understanding of the sectors you are preparing for.
Entry Requirements
To apply to our postgraduate taught programmes, you must meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements and any course-specific requirements.
Entry Requirements
Applicants must:
(a) have successfully completed an RPS-accredited foundation programme, and
(b) have successfully completed a GPhC-accredited independent prescribing programme; and
(c) must be employed as a pharmacist.
In exceptional circumstances, as an alternative to (a) and/or (b), where an individual has substantial and significant experiential learning, a portfolio of written evidence demonstrating the meeting of graduate qualities (including subject-specific outcomes, as determined by the Course Committee) may be considered as an alternative entrance route. Evidence used to demonstrate graduate qualities may not be used for exemption against modules within the programme.
An opportunity for accreditation of prior learning (APL) is available - please contact the Northern Ireland Centre for Pharmacy Learning Development (NICPLD) at [email protected] for more information.
Students will need support from their employer to undertake the work-based practice activities, and to develop a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate that they have achieved the capabilities and outcomes of the RPS Core Advanced Pharmacist Curriculum.
The initial application process, and the funding application process, for this workforce development programme, is managed by NICPLD. Please see https://www.nicpld.org/courses/advance/ for more details.
Application Details
Your Application
Application is through the University's online application system (see "Application Weblink").
Start Date: September 2024
Fees
Application is through the University's online application system (see "Application Weblink" below).
The Student
Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.
Investigative
The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.
Administrative
Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.
They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.
Social
The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.
Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.
Career Progression
Pharmacists are experts in medicines and play an integral role in the wider healthcare team. The MSc in Advanced Pharmacy practice will support pharmacists to develop their careers and step up as ideal candidates to the senior roles within the NHS that are crucial to providing leadership and determine the quality of care delivered to patients in all healthcare settings.
There is now a wide, diverse range of roles within the NHS and prospects for professional development for pharmacists have increased within the framework for progression set out by the NHS "agenda for change " which follows a clearly defined structure where pharmacists can specialise in a particular area of practice or advance to become chief pharmaceutical officers or directors of services.
Experienced GP pharmacists have negotiated increased remuneration following developing evidence of competence and skill and some of secured GP partnerships.
The MSC in Advanced pharmacy practice will enable career progression for pharmacists from all areas of the profession, broadening their horizons and ambitions.