Study information

Programme Specification for the 2020/1 academic year

MSc Clinical Pharmacy (2 year P/T)

1. Programme Details

Programme nameMSc Clinical Pharmacy (2 year P/T) Programme codePTS2EMSEMS10
Study mode(s) Academic year2020/1
Campus(es)St Luke's (Exeter)
 NQF Level of the Final Award7 (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 are two 15 credit compulsory modules 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

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.

 

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 – 2 x 15 credit compulsory taught modules plus 30 credits of optional modules
  • PGDip: 2 years part-time – 2 x 15 credit compulsory taught modules (both to be taken in the first year) plus 90 credits of optional modules
  • MSc: 1 year full time: 2 x 15 credit compulsory taught modules, 90 credits of optional taught plus 60 credit dissertation
  • MSc: 2 years part-time: 2 x 15 credit compulsory taught modules (to be taken in the first year), 90 credits of optional taught modules plus 60 credit dissertation
  • MSc 3 years part-time: 2 x 15 credit compulsory taught modules (to be taken in the first year), 90 credits of optional taught modules plus 60 credit dissertation  

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.

Note: All programmes address the same set of ILOs. However, PGDip and MSc are able to address ILOs in greater depth. 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, take these modules in your first year.

b: To comply with GPhC accreditation specifications, a separate application process is required for entry onto module HPDM068

c:  the project chosen in the Dissertation needs to be related to Clinical Pharmacy.

 

 

CodeModule Credits Non-condonable?
HPDM051 Applied Therapeutics a15No
HPDM063 Skills for Patient-centred Care a15No
HPDM135 Independent Research (CE and HLM) c60Yes

Optional Modules

 

 
CodeModule Credits Non-condonable?
HPDM079 From Theory to Practice to Quality 15No
HPDM062 Long-term Condition Care 1 15No
HPDM067 Population and Public Health 15No
HPDM065 Care of the Older Adult 15No
HPDM066 Long-term Condition Care 2 15No
HPDM064 Acute Presentations in Practice 15No
HPDM068 Practice Certificate in Independent Prescribing b45Yes
HPDM127 Principles of Primary Care 15No
HPDM047 Work-based Learning 15No
HPDM080 Leadership in Healthcare 15No
HPDM081 Management in Healthcare 15No
HPDM105 Education Essentials 15No
HPDM103 Teaching Practitioner 15No
HPDM106 Principles of Supervision and Mentoring 15No

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
2. Demonstrate knowledge and skills to ensure implementation and audit of prescribing within governance frameworks
3. Clinically assess and make shared management plans in patient-facing clinical practice, using evidence-based knowledge, communication skills and clinical examination techniques.
4. Use the principles of medicines optimisation in patient-centred clinical practice to achieve quality outcomes

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
6. Foster and develop skills for quality improvement activities for safe, effective and evidence-based clinical care and prescribing
7. Collaborate effectively with multi-disciplinary team colleagues, communities of practice, patient groups, and local and national organisations.

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
9. Apply initiative and take responsibility as a leader and team player with expertise in medication within the context of a clinical environment
10. Practice using generic professional capabilities which include incorporating ethical and legal frameworks into clinical roles
11. Continue to learn independently and to professionally develop as required for their vocational role

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 draw on a range of data to review the quality of educational provision. The College documents the performance in each of its taught programmes, against a range of criteria on an annual basis through the Annual Programme Monitoring cycle:

  • Admissions, progression and completion data
  • In Year Analysis data
  • Previous monitoring report
  • Monitoring of core (and optional) modules
  • External examiner's reports and University and College responses (reported to SSLC)
  • Any Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body/accrediting body or other external reports
  • Consultation with employers and former students
  • Staff evaluation
  • Student evaluation
  • Programme aims

Subject areas are reviewed every four years through a periodic subject review scheme that includes external contributions. (http://admin.exeter.ac.uk/academic/tls/tqa/Part%209/9JREVISEDPSRSCHEME.pdf)

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 (2 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

22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group

[Masters] Pharmacy (MPharm)

23. Dates

Origin Date

19/09/2017

 Date of last revision

23/07/2020