Independent Prescribing for Pharmacists

The course is delivered as a blended learning programme to deliver a syllabus that aligns with learning outcomes as defined by the GPhC, through 12 blended learning academic study days, plus further time to focus on learning in practice. The 12 academic study days (Tuesdays) include at least 2 face-to-face study days with a focus on clinical skills and developing a portfolio of practice, supported by an online study programme that includes a combination of scheduled remote activities and learning the student can complete independently. Early submission points are available at 6 and 9 months. The course underpins the principle areas of knowledge, understanding and abilities required for the practice of prescribing: * The roles and responsibilities of the independent prescribing pharmacist, understanding and acting within your scope of practice and competence, understanding and actioning appropriate signposting and referral, supporting the patient to self-manage their heath where appropriate. * Understanding the legal and ethical frameworks that encompass the role of the prescriber. * Clinical skills to support prescribing practice and the development of a treatment plan, including history taking, undertaking an effective consultation and an introduction to completing an appropriate physical assessment using diagnostic aids. * Developing effective communication strategies to support patient centred care. * Develop reflective practice The full learning outcomes are available at Standards for the education and training of pharmacist independent prescribers

These are determined by professional requirements as defined by the General Pharmaceutical Council. The course is offered part-time to pharmacists registered as a pharmacist with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) or, in Northern Ireland, with the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (PSNI). Students must be UK registered pharmacists and be in good standing with the GPhC and /or PSNI and any other healthcare regulator with which they are registered. They must have relevant experience in a UK pharmacy setting and be able to recognise, understand and articulate the skills and attributes required by a prescriber. They must have identified an area of clinical practice in which to develop their prescribing practice, and have an up-to-date experience and clinical, knowledge relevant to their intended area of practice. All students must have a Designated Prescribing Practitioner who has agreed to supervise their learning in practice. The DPP must be UK registered independent prescriber with suitable experience and capacity to support learning in practice. The full details of appropriate people to undertake this role is available at DPP competency framework

RPS (rpharms.com). In addition to the RPS requirement, the DPP must be able to act as an impartial assessor and therefore should not be a family member or similar. If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, or equivalent will be considered acceptable. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our International Entry Requirements page.

IELTS 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5

International students: £21,000

UK students: £2,241

UK/Home: £2,241

International: £21,000

21 September 2026; 11 January 2027

28 June 2026

• University of Huddersfield, Queensgate, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, United Kingdom