More
Clinical_Pharmacy_03

Clinical Pharmacy MSc/PG Dip/PG Cert

The MSc in Clinical Pharmacy programme has been designed to meet the professional development requirements of pharmacists working in a wide variety of sectors and environments.

Overview

This course is for General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) or Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (PSNI) registered pharmacists who are currently working in a patient facing role within the UK.

The programme consists of modules which align to the four pillars of clinical practice with real life application. The course requires minimal attendance using blended learning to meet the individual needs of students. There is the option to include the Practice Certificate in Independent Prescribing for pharmacists within the programme studies.

DMU values the student experience and prides itself on the support it offers to postgraduate students. The course aims to further develop students approach to patient care and enhance employability skills, creating confident pharmacists, equipped with the knowledge and skills required to deliver high quality patient care.

The programme continually evolves to meet the needs of a profession which is constantly changing and aims to instil a commitment to life-long learning by advancing learning skills. 

Key features

  • The course aims to further develop your knowledge, skills and attributes, in line with the requirements of clinical pharmacy practice.
  • Blended learning approach with minimal on campus learning so you can study alongside your day job.
  • You will be supported on your postgraduate journey with a highly motivated and experienced team.     
  • Network with and study alongside pharmacists working in a wide variety of clinical environments.
  • Develop your critical thinking and research skills to deliver high quality patient care.

 

Students can achieve, depending on their module choice:

  • Institutional Postgraduate Credits

  • Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Pharmacy (60 credits)

  • Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Pharmacy with Independent Prescribing (60 credits)

  • Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy (120 credits)

  • Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy with Independent Prescribing (120 credits)

  • Masters in Clinical Pharmacy (180 credits)

  • Masters in Clinical Pharmacy with Independent Prescribing (180 credits)


 

For further information about the course please contact: pgpharmacyrecruitment@dmu.ac.uk

More courses like this:

Practice Certificate in Independent Prescribing for Pharmacists

DMU has been shortlisted for the Postgraduate Award in the 2025 Whatuni Student Choice Awards (WUSCAs), as voted for by students.

  • UK
  • EU/International

Course code: B23087

Duration:
PG Cert (Year 1), PG Dip (Year2), MSc (Year 3): Part-time, distance learning

Start dates:

There are two intakes per year, in January and September

Location of study: Attendance on the induction day, study days and tutorials is strongly recommended.

PG Cert (Year 1) Induction Day, Study Day 1, Study Day 2 delivered on campus

PG Dip (Year 2) Distance learning, online or on campus depending upon module choice. Please see individual module descriptions. 

Please note that course start dates may vary, and that there are a limited number of places available per intake, the programme may close to applications prior to the admission deadline if all places are filled.

Fees and funding:

2025/26 Fees: £640 per 15 credit module.

2026/27 Fees: £700 per 15 credit module.

Practice Certificate in Independent Prescribing:

2025/26 Fees: PHAR5879 45 credits £2,500.

2026/27 Fees: PHAR5879 45 credits £2,500. 

Application form

Submit a study-related enquiry

 

Course code: B23087

Duration:
PG Cert (Year 1), PG Dip (Year2), MSc (Year 3): Part-time, distance learning

Start dates:

There are two intakes per year, in January and September.

Please note that this course can only accept international students who are residing in the UK on a Tier 2 visa, and who are employed and actively working in the UK by an NHS Trust or a healthcare organisation that provides NHS services.

Location of study: Attendance on the induction day, study days and tutorials is strongly recommended.

PG Cert (Year 1) Induction Day, Study Day 1, Study Day 2 delivered on campus

PG Dip (Year 2) Distance learning, online or on campus depending upon module choice. Please see individual module descriptions.  

Please note that course start dates may vary, and that there are a limited number of places available per intake, the programme may close to applications prior to the admission deadline if all places are filled.

Fees and funding:

2025/26 Fees: £640 per 15 credit module.

2026/27 Fees: £700 per 15 credit module.

Practice Certificate in Independent Prescribing:

2025/26 Fees: PHAR5879 45 credits £2,500.

2026/27 Fees: PHAR5879 45 credits £2,500.

Application form
Submit a study-related enquiry

Entry criteria

  • Students must have a third class honours (3rd) degree in pharmacy, or above, or equivalent degree qualification
  • Registration as a pharmacist with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (PSNI)
  • Practising in a patient-facing role at least one day a week

The university may consider accreditation of prior learning if the student has studied a similar course at a different university.

English language requirements:

If English is not your first language an IELTS score of 7 or equivalent when you start the course is essential with no component below 5.5. English language tuition, delivered by our British Council accredited Centre for English Language Learning (CELL), is available both before and during the course.

GPhC Registered Pharmacists:

The General Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (GPhC) provides guidance on the evidence of English language skills required for pharmacy professionals to practise, register and work in Great Britain. The guidance applies to registrants and anyone applying to register with the GPhC. The evidence of English language proficiency required by the GPhC is commensurate with the course requirements above. Therefore, GPhC registered applicants will not be required to provide proof of English language qualifications with their application form but will instead be required to confirm that they have provided the required evidence of English language proficiency to the GPhC.

Please be aware that any future requests to switch from a Tier 2/work visa route into an alternative student route or course may not be accommodated. 

Please visit dmu.ac.uk/international for more information.

Structure and assessment

 

Course modules

Teaching and assessment

Attendance and admissions

 

First (Certificate) Year. The structured pathway comprises of four modules:

Applied Therapeutics 1, Applied Therapeutics 2, Applied Therapeutics 3 and Professional Practice 1

You will study one module each semester plus the Professional Practice 1 module running alongside the Applied Therapeutics modules across the three semesters. In this year, you are invited to attend an Induction Day, Study Day 1 and Study Day 2 which are delivered on campus at DMU. The attendance days are not mandatory but are strongly recommended to support you in your studies.

Second (Diploma) Year. The structured pathway comprises of optional modules:

Antimicrobial Stewardship, Concepts in Research, Developing the Workforce, Practice Certificate in Independent Prescribing*, Leadership & Change Management, Mental Health, Polypharmacy in Clinical Practice, Professional Practice 2, Quality Improvement, Supportive Therapeutics.

The modular pathway allows a choice of modules for the First (Certificate) and Second (Diploma) Years. To arrange this, you must discuss your preferences with the Admissions Tutor on application at pgpharmacyrecruitment@dmu.ac.uk.

Third (Masters) Year. The Structured and Modular Pathways consist of one module:

Postgraduate Healthcare Dissertation**

*The Practice Certificate in Independent Prescribing module also has its own independent applications process that meets current regulatory requirements. Being accepted onto the MSc in Clinical Pharmacy programme does not guarantee a place on the Practice Certificate in Independent Prescribing module.

** Students who wish to study the Masters Year need to have successfully completed the Concepts in Research module.

View module descriptions

View the module calendar to see when modules will be delivered.


Note: All modules are indicative and based on the current academic session. Course information is correct at the time of publication and is subject to review. Exact modules may, therefore, vary for your intake in order to keep content current. If there are changes to your course we will, where reasonable, take steps to inform you as appropriate.

The modules offered and timings of the modules may be subject to change. Module availability is subject to a minimum number of students wishing to study a module each time the module is timetabled to run.

 

 

Teaching and assessment

Our distance learning approach with minimal on-campus learning is designed to allow you to study alongside your professional role.  Study materials are available online in the DMU virtual learning environment. We suggest you will need to spend about 10-15 hours per week studying the course material and undertaking assessment. You will be supported on your postgraduate journey by a highly motivated and experienced team.

Modules in the first (certificate) year are supported by three on-campus study days. Study day requirements for diploma year modules vary.

Our assessment strategy draws from contemporary practice using an inclusive design to meet your needs. It is designed to meet the developing needs of pharmacy professionals and is aligned with current competency frameworks including those developed by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS). Assessments include portfolio assessments, case presentations, critical evaluation of care, targeted structured reflection, and structured reports. The Practice Certificate in Independent Prescribing includes a three station OSCE-style examination, alongside a critical evaluation of patient care and a portfolio assessment.

Academic expertise

The course employs a dedicated team of staff who contribute to the course. The team are all registered pharmacists and healthcare professionals with experience across all sectors of pharmacy practice. MSc supervisors are drawn from the Leicester School of Pharmacy and the wider Faculty of Health and Life Sciences.

The academic team is supported by peripatetic teacher practitioners, pharmacists, non-medical prescribers and doctors who contribute to the course learning and teaching strategies and assessments.

Start dates and admissions

There are two intakes per year, in January and September.

September 2026 intake - the closing date for applications is 17 August 2026 at 5pm.

January 2027 intake - the closing date for applications is 14 December 2026 at 5pm.

Places on the course are allocated in the order of receipt of a fully completed application with accompanying supporting documentation. There are limited places available and the programme may close to applications prior to the admission deadline if all places are filled.

Attendance for First (Certificate) Year Modules

September 2026 intake

Location: Leicester

Induction day: Tuesday 22, or Wednesday 23, or Thursday 24 September 2026

First study day: Tuesday 10, or Wednesday 11, or Thursday 12 November 2025

Second study day: Tuesday 9, or Wednesday 10, or Thursday 11 February 2027

Please note: Case Presentation assessment takes place the week commencing 26 April 2027. Students will be required to make themselves available online in an uninterrupted manner for up to 90 minutes.

January 2027 intake

Location: Leicester

Induction day: Tuesday 19, or Wednesday 20, or Thursday 21 January 2027

First study day: Tuesday 9, or Wednesday 10, or Thursday 11 March 2027

Second study day: Tuesday 15, or Wednesday 16, or Thursday 17 June 2027

Please note: Case Presentation assessment takes place the week commencing 6 September 2027 students will be required to make themselves available online in an uninterrupted manner for up to 90 minutes.

Attendance for Second (Diploma) Year and Third (Masters) Year Modules

Please see the module descriptions for individual module requirements.

All dates are provisional and may be subject to change.

Facilities and features

 
Placements
Placements
Placements
Placements
 

Health and Life Sciences facilities

Substantial investment in Health and Life Sciences has developed our teaching and learning facilities to help you develop your practical experience and theoretical knowledge beyond the classroom.

The 19th century Hawthorn Building has facilities designed to replicate current practice in health and life sciences, including contemporary analytical chemistry and formulation laboratories, audiology booths and nursing and midwifery clinical skills suites.

Purpose-built clinical skills areas allow you to apply theory to practice in a safe environment. You will receive guidance and support from staff, to ensure that your practical ability in the clinical skills suites is accurate.

Library services

On campus, the main Kimberlin Library offers a space where you can work, study and access a vast range of print materials, with computer stations, laptops, plasma screens and assistive technology also available. 

As well as providing a physical space in which to work, we offer online tools to support your studies, and our extensive online collection of resources accessible from our Library website, e-books, specialised databases and electronic journals and films which can be remotely accessed from anywhere you choose. 

We will support you to confidently use a huge range of learning technologies, including Learning Zone, Collaborate Ultra, DMU Replay, MS Teams, Turnitin and more. Alongside this, you can access LinkedIn Learning and learn how to use Microsoft 365, and study support software such as mind mapping and note-taking through our new Digital Student Skills Hub. 

The library staff offer additional support to students, including help with academic writing, research strategies, literature searching, reference management and assistive technology. There is also a ‘Just Ask’ service for help and advice, live LibChat, online workshops, tutorials and drop-ins available from our Learning Services, and weekly library live chat sessions that give you the chance to ask the library teams for help.

Learning zones

Our Learning Zones and The Greenhouse also provide space for group or individual work and study.

There are 1,600 study places across all library locations, more than 700 computer stations, laptops to borrow, free wi-fi and desktop power outlets.

You can also book rooms with plasma screens, laptops and DVD facilities for group work and presentations, secure an individual study room with adjustable lighting or make use of our assistive technology.

Opportunities and careers

Find the people who will open doors for you

DMU's award-winning careers service provides guaranteed work experience opportunities DMU Careers Team
dmu-global-img-01

Scholarships

As part of the university's commitment to enhancing the personal and career development of our graduates. We offer an Alumni scholarship programme. For more information visit Health and Life Sciences Alumni Scholarships.

Name
Gunn and Carter Fellowship £3000 per annum. 

Description
To support research in the Leicester Institute for Pharmaceutical Innovation

bal-graduate-careers-img

Graduate careers

The specialist and learning skills you acquire are highly sought after in many different sectors of practice. Having an MSc is recognised by many employers as a stepping stone in career progression.

 

Take your next steps

More from DMU