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Please note

This document only provides information for the academic year selected and does not form part of the student contract

Awarding Institution

University of Huddersfield

Final Award

MSc Master of Science

Teaching Institution

University of Huddersfield

School

School of Applied Sciences

Department

Department of Pharmacy

Subject Benchmark Statement

Characteristic Statement - Master's Degree

Date of Programme Specification Approval

2023-09-21

Version Number

2023.01

Educational Aims of the Course

The MSc Clinical Pharmacy Practice suite offers three MSc courses offering prospective students an overview and experience of clinical pharmacy practice within the UK with routes specialising in community or hospital pharmacy, or pharmacy practice research. The courses are designed to bridge gaps in knowledge and understanding UK standards relevant … For more content click the Read More button below. Those students undertaking the MSc Clinical Pharmacy Practice with Community Placement will gain knowledge and understanding of the role of a pharmacist in a community setting in the UK. The students will gain the scientific and clinical skills required for practising as a pharmacist and should be able to appreciate latest research and discoveries to inform future clinical pharmacy practice. The students undertaking the MSc Clinical Pharmacy Practice with Hospital Placement will gain knowledge and understanding of the role of a pharmacist in a hospital setting such as the NHS in the UK. The students will gain the scientific and clinical skills required for practising as a pharmacist and should be able to appreciate latest research and discoveries to inform future clinical pharmacy practice. The students undertaking the MSc Clinical Pharmacy Practice with Research Project will gain knowledge and understanding of the role of a pharmacist in professional pharmacy practice and research. The students will gain the scientific and clinical skills required for practising as a pharmacist and necessary skills to conduct research in improving the global practice of pharmacy.  

Course Offering(s)

Full Time

Full Time - September

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion you will be able to:
1.
demonstrate a systematic understanding of the roles and responsibilities of a pharmacist.
2.
Communicate knowledge of pharmacy law and ethics in the safe and effective sale and supply of medicines for a wide range of conditions and judge how national guidelines influence safe and effective treatment strategies.
3.
Understand approaches adopted in the recognition and treatment of some minor ailments and travel medicines.
4.
be able to outline the clinical role and responsibilities of pharmacists and other professionals in the in the context of the provision of pharmaceutical care to patients in a variety of settings, and critically appraise treatment strategies based on a clinical review of a patient case.
5.
be able to critically appraise the use of information sources and reviews in practice of pharmacy.
6.
be able to critically appraise the process of dispensing and preparation of medicines for patients.
7.
be able to identify complex prescription and understand the processes required for safe dispensing.
8.
be able to critically evaluate international pharmacy practices in developed and developing countries and appraise the funding and evaluation of new medicine introduction.
9.
be able to carry out economic evaluation of community and hospital pharmacy services.
10.
be able to demonstrate a thorough knowledge and understanding of the latest trends in drug formulation and a critical understanding of biopharmaceuticals and their formulation.
11.
be able to demonstrate critical awareness and in-depth appreciation of pharmacogenomics and its relationship with personalised medicines and how biomarkers and drug targets are identified and developed.
12.
be able to critically evaluate the range of services that can be offered in a community pharmacy setting, from a pharmaceutical public health perspective.
13.
be able to critically appraise the relevant laws and regulations applicable to run a community pharmacy business.
14.
be able to critically appraise the application of standard management and business skills used in a community pharmacy environment.
15.
be able to demonstrate competence in dispensing processes taking into account the law and systems for safe practice.
16.
be able to apply and demonstrate good communication skills in relation to the supply of medicines and patient consultations.
17.
be able to perform pharmaceutical calculations in order to determine medicine doses and regimes both accurately and practically.
18.
be able to interpret prescriptions and other orders for medicines.
19.
be able to respond to pharmaceutical needs and provide appropriate advice or referral, and able to design a pharmaceutical care plan and medicine usage reviews for individuals or group of patients.
20.
be able to prioritise, articulate and solve clinical and therapeutic issues relating to patients and involving the wider healthcare team in a professional and appropriate manner.
20.
be able to identify prescriptions which may pose a risk to patient safety or less than optimal therapy and to suggest suitable strategies to improve care.
21.
be able to prioritise, articulate and solve clinical and therapeutic issues relating to patients and involving the wider healthcare team in a professional and appropriate manner.
22.
be able use appropriate information sources in practice of pharmacy and able to critically appraise systemic reviews and meta-analysis, assess drug interactions and handle information inquires.
23.
be able to evaluate the pharmacoeconomics of pharmacy services and do fundamental pharamcoeconomic calculations.

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

This is a postgraduate course and it is taught in a different way to an undergraduate course. Considerable emphasis is placed on guided but independent learning. Typically, modules are assessed by a combination of a piece of course work, practical assessments to ensure students are able to do the tasks … For more content click the Read More button below.   Students will gain significant practical experience and confidence whilst they are studying on this course as they are exposed to simulated and real-life situations and patient facing roles to apply the knowledge and understanding into clinical practice. They will also be shown how to use various IT resources in a pharmacy, and various clinical information resources used in a clinical practice. A detailed assessment schedule for various modules in MSc Clinical Pharmacy Practice Suite is given in Table 3 below.   Students will have access to online resources on academic/scientific writing and additional support will be available in the school. Overseas students whose first language is not English will be subject to language scrutiny and minimum reading/writing scores as defined under admission criteria (s.16).

Support for Students and their Learning

All students are assigned a personal academic tutor who is usually the first point of contact for students. Students are encouraged to see their personal academic tutor about any problems they have which do or may affect their ability to study and learn. In addition, there will also be timetabled personal tutorials to support their learning and help with their career planning. This will also help in early identification of any potential concerns to ensure timely support. The tutor will keep track of any serious on-going issues respecting student confidentiality.

 

Induction: The timetables and courses will be introduced to the new cohort of student at the MSc induction day. Student handbooks will be issued and explained. University’s virtual learning computer network will be shown to the students as well as the University e-mail system. A representative from student services shall outlines the services that they provide via iPoint (Student Central). A health and safety talk will be provided to cover chemical and biological safety within the department and students shall sit the required departmental safety test. Students shall undergo a DBS check as per procedures during the induction week.

 

Student Handbooks: A student handbook is provided covering the three different pathways in this suite. Students will also be provided with guidance notes on final project preparation and submission.

 

Students shall also have access to state-of-the art facilities at the school to support their teaching and learning. They will have access to specialised computing laboratories, chemical, biological and instrumental laboratories, where appropriate. The students shall also have access to fully-equipped state-of-the-art professional practice and aseptic suites, where applicable.

 

Access is provided to student counsellors at the University. Students may also access to the School of Applied Sciences’ Learning Support or to the Students' Union Advice Centre.

Criteria for Admission

The applications should meet the following criteria for admission in to MSc Pharmacy Practice Suite:

  • A minimum of 2:2 honours degree in pharmacy or its international equivalent
  • Good English Proficiency (IELTS overall 6.0 with no less than 6.0 in Reading and Writing)
  • Currently registered with the relevant regulatory authority to practice as a pharmacist in any jurisdiction.
  • Letter confirming good standing from a relevant body under which they have worked prior to their application confirming no adverse information.
  • At least 3-months experience working in a pharmacy before starting the course.

 

The students will be required to complete a health check questionnaire. If they have not completed courses of all relevant vaccinations, they will be advised to do so; which occasionally can incur a charge by their doctor. If there are any further medical reports required they may incur additional costs. Students are required to undertake Occupational Health screening, and/or Enhanced Level Disclosure and Barring Service checks upon admission to, and at certain other points during the course. The commencement of placement will be subject to satisfactorily completion of fitness to practice declarations by students.

Methods for evaluating and improving the quality and standards of teaching and learning

  • Module reviews (student evaluations and staff report)
  • Annual course monitoring report prepared by the Course Leader and considered by the Course Committee and School’s Annual Monitoring Committee
  • Peer observation of Teaching
  • External Examiner’s report after meeting all students and assessing their work
  • Personal development reviews of members of staff
  • Student Panels
  • Course Committee
  • School’s Teaching and Learning Committee
  • School’s Annual Evaluation Committee
  • University Teaching and Learning Committee
  • Course Assessment Board - meets regularly to consider marks, progression and awards

Please note

University awards are regulated by the Regulations for Awards (Taught Courses) on the University website.

Quick links to the Regulations for Taught Students, procedures and forms can be accessed on the University website.

Indicators of Quality and Standards

This shall include:

  • Reports of validation panels
  • Annual course reviews
  • External examiners’ reports
  • Qualifications and experience of staff

 

Full details of the methods of evaluating and improving the quality and standards of learning and teaching can be found in the University of Huddersfield’s “Quality Assurance Procedures for Taught Courses and Research Awards” handbook. This can be viewed online at: https://www.hud.ac.uk/registry/regulationsandpolicies/qa/