Programme Specification for the 2019/0 academic year
MSc Clinical Pharmacy (3 year P/T)
1. Programme Details
| Programme name | MSc Clinical Pharmacy (3 year P/T) | Programme code | PTS3EMSEMS05 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study mode(s) | Academic year | 2019/0 | |
| 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 of 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 care practitioners and researchers.
3. Educational Aims of the Programme
The educational aims of the MSc 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 be well-defined; starting with the Certificate level of 4 mandatory core modules of 15 credits each (60 credits). The Diploma follows with the option of choosing 4 optional modules of 15 credits each to build on the Certificate stage (60 credits). This is followed by the dissertation stage; the final stage to obtaining the MSc in Clinical Pharmacy (60 credits). These modules are studied on a part-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
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.
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This Master’s in Clinical Pharmacy programme is a 3 year part-time programme of study at National Qualification Framework (NQF) level 7 (as confirmed against the FHEQ).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.
Students who complete the core 15 credit module (Applied therapeutics) and further modules to a total of total 60 credits may exit with a Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Pharmacy.
Students who complete the core module (Applied therapeutics) and further modules that make up a total of 120 credits may exit with a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy.
Students who decide to choose the Practice Certificate in Independent 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 Prescribing module
Students who successfully complete the credit requirement of the 180 credit programme will be awarded a MSc Clinical Pharmacy.
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.
Please note: the project chosen in the Dissertation needs to be related to Clinical Pharmacy.
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| HPDM051 | Applied Therapeutics | 15 | No |
| HPDM063 | Skills for Patient-centred Care | 15 | No |
| HPDM076 | Dissertation | 45 | Yes |
Optional Modules
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*To comply with GPhC accreditation specifications, a separate application process is required for entry onto module HPDM068 |
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| HPDM079 | From Theory to Practice to Quality | 15 | No |
| HPDM062 | Long-term Condition Care 1 | 15 | No |
| HPDM067 | Population and Public Health | 15 | No |
| HPDM065 | Care of the Older Adult | 15 | No |
| HPDM066 | Long-term Condition Care 2 | 15 | No |
| HPDM064 | Acute Presentations in Practice | 15 | No |
| HPDM068 | Practice Certificate in Independent Prescribing | 45 | Yes |
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 | Lectures, seminars, practical sessions, web based learning, resource gathering and in-depth reading. Project work. Preparation and writing for assignments | 1.Structured significant event analysis highlighting team and systems issues – ILO 1 2. Quality improvement activity responding to results of completed audit - ILO 2 3. Observed demonstration of clinical assessment techniques – ILO 3 4. Written account, referencing patient cases and evidence base, displaying evidence of applying principles of medicines optimisation into practice – ILO 3, 4 |
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, analyse and incorporate health-care evidence into practice | Lectures, seminars, practical sessions, web based learning, resource gathering and in-depth reading. Project work. Preparation and writing for assignments | 5. Written account, referencing patient cases and evidence bases, displaying evidence of applying principles of medicines optimisation into practice – ILO1,3, 5 6. Quality improvement activity responding to results of completed audit - ILO 6 7. Structured learning logs and significant event analysis highlighting professional, team and systems issues – ILO 1, 2, 4, 6 |
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 primary care practice | Lectures, seminars, practical sessions, web based learning, resource gathering and in-depth reading. Project work. Preparation and writing for assignments | 9. Portfolio of significant events, patient cases and learning experiences with analysis and evidence that learning needs have been addressed ILO 8, ILO 9, ILO 11 10. Quality improvement activity responding to results of completed audit - ILO 6 |
7. Programme Regulations
Classification
Full details of assessment regulations for all taught programmes can be found in the TQA Manual, specifically in the Credit and Qualifications Framework, and the Assessment, Progression and Awarding: Taught Programmes Handbook. Additional information, including Generic Marking Criteria, can be found in the Learning and Teaching Support Handbook.
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
Please refer to the University Academic Policy and Standards guidelines regarding support for students and students' learning.
10. Admissions Criteria
Undergraduate applicants must satisfy the Undergraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Postgraduate applicants must satisfy the Postgraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Specific requirements required to enrol on this programme are available at the respective Undergraduate or Postgraduate Study Site webpages.
11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards
Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed College assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures.
The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both College and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice. See the University's TQA Manual for details.
(http://as.exeter.ac.uk/support/admin/staff/qualityassuranceandmonitoring/tqamanual/fullcontents/)
12. Indicators of Quality and Standards
The programme is not subject to accreditation and/ or review by professional and statutory regulatory bodies (PSRBs).
13. Methods for Evaluating and Improving Quality and Standards
The University and its constituent Colleges review the quality and standard of teaching and learning in all taught programmes against a range of criteria through the procedures outlined in the Teaching Quality Assurance (TQA) Manual Quality Review Framework.
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 (3 year P/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 | 04/02/2019 |
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