Pharmacy Practice

Entry requirements

Before you apply:

1. Check that you meet the entry requirements:

• A pharmacy degree (BSc, BPharm, or MPharm).
• Registration as a pharmacist with the General Pharmaceutical Council.
• A practice-base with access to a workplace educational supervisor (the programme is suitable for pharmacists working in primary or secondary care), you should discuss your application with your manager prior to applying as workplace based support is essential to the programme.

2. For entry directly to the PGDip modules, you need at least 60 academic credits at a level 7 of an equivalent and comparable programme. To have your previous academic credits recognised, contact cippet@reading.ac.uk to discuss your case before making an application.

If you want to start your entry with the PGCert module, visit the PGCert Pharmacy Practice page for information on how to apply.

Pre-sessional English language programme

If you need to improve your English language score, you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.

• Find out the English language requirements for our courses and our pre-sessional English programme

Months of entry

September

Course content

Please note that this course page includes information for the 2023/24 academic year. Details for 2024/25 entry to this course have not yet been finalised. Contact us for more information.

The PGDip Pharmacy Practice is a workplace-based programme, aligned to the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's Foundation Pharmacy Framework, which allows pharmacists to develop their clinical and service skills.

This collaborative programme between local NHS pharmacy services and the University provides pharmacy practice training that is responsive to the UK government's national objectives.

Your learning will reflect the local context in which pharmacists work, and the changing needs of patients.

This is a workplace-based learning programme and placements are part of your employment prior to enrolment. You will be taught through blended learning which combines face-to-face with online study.

You may be sponsored by your employer or may choose to self-fund. If you are being sponsored you should ensure funding is in place prior to submitting an application as places cannot be held in the event of funding not being secured.

There is flexibility within the programme. You may choose to exit the programme with the PGCert and/or take a break prior to starting the PGDip. View our PGCert Pharmacy Practice page for more information on the qualification.

The programme is part of the Joint Programmes Board (JPB) partners group and there is flexible movement of students who complete the PGCert to study in other local HEIs.

97% of our research is of international standing (Research Excellence Framework [REF] 2021, combining 4*, 3* and 2* submissions – Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy).

Upcoming cohort enrolment options:

The start dates for this programme are November and May

Applications for these cohorts are now open.

The required documents to be submitted with your application are found in the 'Entry requirements' tab, along with information about how to apply online. Failure to upload the correct documents may lead to your application being rejected.

If you are interested in applying after the deadline, please contact cippet@reading.ac.uk - sometimes we can operate a waiting list in case applicants withdraw at the last minute.

Provisional timetable of study and application deadlines:

PMMDP1 – Introduction to evidence based medicine (May to October 2023)

Application deadline: 28 April 2023

The study days will be from 14:00 to 18:00 on:

• 17 May 2023
• 21 June 2023
• 6 September 2023
• Assessments: 4 October 2023

PMMDP3 – Introduction to service improvement in healthcare (May to October 2023)

Application deadline: 28 April 2023

The study days will be from 14:00 to 18:00 on:

• 24 May 2023
• 12 July 2023
• 20 September 2023
• Assessments: 25 October 2023

PMMDP2 – Introduction to audit, service evaluation and quality improvement (November 2023 to April 2024)

Application deadline: 29 September 2023

The study days will be from 14:00 to 18:00 on:

• 22 November 2023
• 31 January 2024
• 6 March 2024
• 24 April 2024

Fees and funding

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £3,000

New international students: £*Not applicable - this course is only open to UK applicants*

Tuition fee information

Please note

PGDip: £450 for each 20-credit module

We also offer:

• this programme as a PGCert, which has a different fee structure. Visit the PGCert programme course page for more information
• for the PGDip route with prescribing, please see our prescribing programme course page.

Fee information will be confirmed in offer letters sent out to successful applicants. You can find further information, including information for part-time study, through our dedicated fees and funding page.

Additional costs

Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.

Financial support for your studies

You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.

Applicants can be fully or partly sponsored by their employer to undertake the programme. There is information on how to provide proof of sponsorship in the 'Entry requirements' section above. For all other potential HEE sponsorship/commissioned options, please contact your local HEE Branch Educational Commission Manager.