Programme Specification for the 2023/4 academic year
MSc Clinical Pharmacy (1 Year F/T)
1. Programme Details
| Programme name | MSc Clinical Pharmacy (1 Year F/T) | Programme code | PTS1EMSEMS13 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study mode(s) | Academic year | 2023/4 | |
| Campus(es) | St Luke's (Exeter) |
NQF Level of the Final Award | 7 (Masters) |
2. Description of the Programme
Healthcare practitioners are taking an increasing role in delivering clinical care in the UK. Healthcare delivery is complex for several reasons including the rise in multi-morbidity, issued prescriptions and polypharmacy. This programme has been designed to build on your expertise in medicines by developing your knowledge, skills and confidence in clinical assessment and management within the context of clinical care. In addition, you will develop a critical and reflective approach to professional practice. Practical workshops, small group discussions and project work will form part on the programme as well as lead lectures from experienced primary and secondary care practitioners and researchers.
3. Educational Aims of the Programme
The educational aims of the Masters in Clinical Pharmacy are to:
- Provide you with a ‘practitioner-scholar’ led environment of multi-disciplinary learning and the sharing of ideas, perspective and experiences related to real-world clinical and healthcare scenarios
- Inspire you to explore and consider options to complex scenarios from the perspective of: patients, health care practitioners and health care systems and models.
- Support your development as a practitioner-scholar through a phased introduction to clinical assessment, including examination techniques and communication skills, clinical management, applying evidence to practice and research methods
- Enable you to analyse, synthesise, evaluate and reflect on the translation of research into healthcare practice, and significant events into quality improvement activities.
- Provide opportunities through assessed tasks to: reflect on clinical practice, research the evidence for clinical care, develop clinical skills and design quality improvement activities.
The programme has been designed to offer flexibility. There is one 15 credit compulsory module and a range of other modules. 120 credits need to have been acquired before learners can progress to the Dissertation stage which is the final stage to obtaining the MSc in Clinical Pharmacy (60 credits). These modules can be studied on a part-time or full-time basis.
A blended approach to learning will be achieved through taught sessions, clinical skills practice and case-based discussion along with the support of online resources and moderated activities on the University of Exeter’s electronic learning platforms. Expert tutors and guest lecturers will represent an appropriately diverse range of clinical and research backgrounds.
4. Programme Structure
5. Programme Modules
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The MSc Clinical Pharmacy is a 12 month full-time equivalent programme of study at National Qualification Framework (NQF) level 7 (as confirmed against the FHEQ). The MSc may be taken in one year full-time, or part-time over two or three years. .The programme is divided into units of study called ‘modules’ which are assigned a number of ‘credits’. The credit rating of a module is proportional to the total workload, with 1 credit being nominally equivalent to 10 hours of work.
The MSc requires 180 credits, of which 120 credits are taught modules and 60 credits is the Dissertation.
The Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) in Clinical Pharmacy is also offered, consisting of 60 credits of taught modules.
The Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) in in Clinical Pharmacy is also offered, consisting of 120 credits of taught modules.
These awards are offered in the following five configurations:
- PGCert: 1 year part-time – 1 x 15 credit compulsory taught modules plus 45 credits of optional modules
- PGDip: 2 years part-time – 1 x 15 credit compulsory taught modules (normally to be taken in the first year) plus 105 credits of optional modules
- MSc: 1 year full time: 1 x 15 credit compulsory taught modules, 105 credits of optional taught plus 60 credit dissertation
- MSc: 2 years part-time: 1 x 15 credit compulsory taught modules (normally to be taken in the first year), 105 credits of optional taught modules plus 60 credit dissertation
- MSc 3 years part-time: 1 x 15 credit compulsory taught modules (normally to be taken in the first year), 105 credits of optional taught modules plus 60 credit dissertation
Students who decide to choose the Practice Certificate in Independent and Supplementary Prescribing 45 credit module, will be required to undergo a separate admissions process, in addition to the initial admissions process that they have completed to secure a place on the MSc Clinical Pharmacy course.
This is to ensure that they meet the specific requirements of the Practice Certificate in Independent and Supplementary Prescribing module i.e. they must be registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council or Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland and must meet the required eligibility criteria.
Students who successfully complete the credit requirement of the 180 credit programme will be awarded a MSc Clinical Pharmacy.
Note: All programmes address the same set of ILOs. However, PGDip and MSc are able to address ILOs in greater depth, covering additional topics and using different forms of assessment. Some of the assessment methods mapped to ILOs are module specific.
Stage 1
Our PGT programmes are designed as standalone courses, but the College also aims to provide flexibility where possible. We recognise that you may sometimes wish to take a module from elsewhere in the College, or the wider University, to fit in with their specific research or professional interests. A taught Master’s degree is made up of 180 credits, usually 120 credits of taught modules and 60 credits of dissertation. Normally at least 90 credits of taught modules (but an absolute minimum of 60 credits), plus the dissertation, will need be taken from within the named award in order to graduate with that award. That means that 30 credits could be made up from one or more appropriate modules from another Masters level programme(s) in place of your scheduled ones, depending on the module prerequisites, the contact days of the modules, and your funding source. There may be an additional fee associated with certain postgraduate modules. It is also important to note that the timing of your new module’s contact days and assessments might conflict with your existing programme of studies. If after considering these factors you would like to explore this option further, please discuss this with the MSc’s Programme Director. The CMH PGT Support team can then advise about the application process, which would then go for approval from the Programme Director of your current programme and the Module Lead and Programme Director of the programme(s) in which your new module(s) sits.
Compulsory Modules
The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme. Details of the modules currently offered may be obtained from the College web site:
a:If you are a part-time student, you will normally take this module in your first year.
b: To comply with GPhC accreditation specifications, a separate application process is required for entry onto module HPDM147
c: the project chosen in the Dissertation needs to be related to Clinical Pharmacy.
d: You must be working alongside your study in order to take this module, as it requires practice-based assessment
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| HPDM051 | Applied Therapeutics (see note a) | 15 | No |
| HPDM148 | Independent Research (see note c) | 60 | Yes |
Optional Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| HPDM156 | Long-term Condition Care (Respiratory, Endocrine and Renal) | 15 | No |
| HPDM065 | Care of the Older Adult | 15 | No |
| HPDM157 | Long-term Condition Care (Cardiovascular) | 15 | No |
| HPDM153 | Minor Illness: Managing Common and Not-So-Common Conditions | 15 | No |
| HPDM147 | Practice Certificate in Independent and Supplementary Prescribing (see note b) | 45 | Yes |
| HPDM133 | Advanced Clinical Assessment and Decision-Making Skills (see note d) | 30 | No |
| HPDM127 | Principles of Primary Care | 15 | Yes |
| HPDM047 | Work-based Learning | 15 | No |
| HPDM080 | Leadership in Healthcare | 15 | No |
| HPDM081 | Management in Healthcare | 15 | No |
| HPDM059 | Leading Change in Health Services | 15 | No |
| HPDM105 | Education Essentials | 15 | No |
| HPDM103 | Teaching Practitioner | 15 | No |
| HPDM106 | Principles of Supervision and Mentoring | 15 | No |
| HPDM118 | Structuring and Solving Public Health Problems | 15 | No |
| HPDM162 | Critical Thinking in Healthcare | 15 | No |
6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
Intended Learning Outcomes
A: Specialised Subject Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
1. Understand, analyse and evaluate healthcare environments, systems and teams |
| 1.Short answer and multiple choice exams – ILO 1, 3, 4, 6 2. Portfolio of practice-based evidence – ILO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 3. Observed demonstration of clinical assessment techniques (OSCE) – ILO 3, 6, 7 4. Written care plans, referencing patient cases and evidence base, displaying evidence of applying principles of medicines optimisation into practice – ILO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 |
Intended Learning Outcomes
B: Academic Discipline Core Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
5. Search for, analyse and incorporate health-care evidence into practice |
| 5. Written case report, referencing patient case and evidence bases, displaying evidence of applying principles of medicines optimisation into practice – ILO1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11 6. Quality improvement report - ILO 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9 7, Written assignments, with critical analysis and evidence that module learning needs have been addressed – ILO 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 8. Public Health Conceptual framework and supporting essay – ILO 1, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11 |
Intended Learning Outcomes
C: Personal/Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
8. Communicate, reflect and implement change effectively with regard to patient care and significant events in clinical practice |
| 9. Healthcare Management Poster and blog/editorial - ILO 5, 8, 9, 10, 11 10. Healthcare Leadership Presentation – ILO 8, 9, 10, 11 11. Independent Research Project – ILO 1, 2, 4 ,5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 |
7. Programme Regulations
Classification
8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning
Personal and Academic tutoring: It is University policy that all Colleges should have in place a system of academic and personal tutors. The role of academic tutors is to support you on individual modules; the role of personal tutors is to provide you with advice and support for the duration of the programme and extends to providing you with details of how to obtain support and guidance on personal difficulties such as accommodation, financial difficulties and sickness. You can also make an appointment to see individual teaching staff.
Resources : A Programme Handbook will be provided which includes information about the structure of the programme, learning resources available, assessment methods, criteria, and regulations and student support services. All modules will be supported by the University of Exeter’s ‘Exeter Learning Environment' (ELE). Each module has an ELE page and discussion board for information, announcements and resources. ELE also hosts library links, including a list of electronic journals held by the University of Exeter. There is a page called Library and Research Skills, where you will find a whole host of additional resources to support you in the development of your writing skills, reading skills, generic research skills and study strategies.
Student/Staff Liaison Committee enables students & staff to jointly participate in the management and review of the teaching and learning provision.
9. University Support for Students and Students' Learning
10. Admissions Criteria
11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards
12. Indicators of Quality and Standards
The Independent and Supplementary Prescribing module of this programme is regulated by the General Pharmaceutical Council, Nursing and Midwifery Council and the Health and Care Professions Council.
13. Methods for Evaluating and Improving Quality and Standards
14. Awarding Institution
University of Exeter
15. Lead College / Teaching Institution
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
16. Partner College / Institution
Partner College(s)
Not applicable to this programme
Partner Institution
Not applicable to this programme.
17. Programme Accredited / Validated by
0
18. Final Award
MSc Clinical Pharmacy (1 Year F/T)
19. UCAS Code
Not applicable to this programme.
20. NQF Level of Final Award
7 (Masters)
21. Credit
| CATS credits | 60 |
ECTS credits | 30 |
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22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group
[Masters] Pharmacy (MPharm)
23. Dates
| Origin Date | 19/09/2017 |
Date of last revision | 03/03/2023 |
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