Independent/Supplementary Prescribing

Entry requirements

• Registration with the appropriate professional/regulatory body (NMC, GPhC, PSNI or HCPC)
• Appropriate experience in the area of practice in which applicant will be prescribing
• The ability to study at academic Level 6 or Level 7
• Nurses and Midwives: At least one year of post-registration clinical experience in the UK. This includes all nurse (level 1), midwife or SCPHN registrants (including NHS, self-employed or non-NHS employed registrants)
• Pharmacists: At least two years' post-registration clinical experience in the UK
• Allied Health Professionals (excluding Paramedics) At least three years' post-registration clinical experience in the UK
• Advanced Paramedic Practitioners: College of Paramedics recommend that paramedics are registered and qualified for at least five years with at least three years' relevant post-qualification experience in the clinical area in which they will be prescribing
• Appropriate numeracy skills, clinical/health assessment, diagnostics/care management and planning and evaluation of care in their intended area of prescribing practice
• Support from the sponsoring organisation confirming service need and access to appropriate supervised practice, and a prescribing budget to meet the costs of prescriptions on completion of training
• A named practice supervisor (nurses and midwives) / designated medical practitioner (allied health professionals and pharmacists) who will facilitate, supervise and support the student during their clinical placement
• Nurse applicants must have a Disclosure and Barring Service check no more than three years old.

Months of entry

February, April, September, October

Course content

Our blended-learning Postgraduate Certificate in Independent/Supplementary Prescribing allows a wide range of healthcare professionals to qualify as non-medical prescribers.

Enhance your career opportunities by qualifying as a non-medical prescriber. The Standard version of our course is for community and primary care pharmacists, nurses, midwives, physiotherapists, podiatrists, radiographers and dietitians. The Clinically Enhanced version is for hospital and mental health pharmacists. If you're a professional in these areas, you'll be able to qualify as an independent or supplementary prescriber with a qualification that meets regulatory standards.

This course is delivered by distance learning, but you'll also spend nine days at the university, covering issues including communication and diagnostic skills, patient assessment, and the legal and ethical aspects of prescribing. The emphasis on each skill or aspect of non-medical prescribing is tailored to meet the needs of the different professions we cater for.