This MSc award requires the completion of a total of 180 academic credits (CATS credit type) typically over three years of part-time study (60 credits per year) although it is possible to spread your total period of study over a longer time.
Scheme of study
The Independent Prescribing (IP) unit and the Advanced Clinical Assessment (ACA) unit are both compulsory elements of this course, usually taken in the second or third year of study (with the IP unit being taken first).
In most cases, the remaining course content is divided into 11 or 12-week units of study each leading to the award of 15 CATS credits.
Examples of Specialist/Advanced units that can be taken include:
- Research Methods
- Quality Improvement
- Pharmaceutical Public Health
Education in Healthcare and Leadership units are planned for delivery in 2022. You can also include units covering therapeutic topics which fit with your areas of practice. You can review all available units through the University's Programme and Unit Catalogue.
Please note that the catalogue doesn't provide information on when individual units will be running. If you would like to find out more about taking a specific combination of units to achieve your award, please arrange to speak to the Advanced Practice Lead, Sarah Jones by emailing scm20@bath.ac.uk.
As an alternative to a taught third year of study, students who have already completed the IP and ACA units earlier in the course have the option to complete a year-long 60-credit unit comprising research methods training and a practice-based research or service evaluation project written up in an extended report or thesis.
Methods of study
Study on each unit is supported by a dedicated unit convener, access to online learning materials, live teaching sessions and in some cases, face-to-face study days. You can read more detailed information about the content and delivery of the Independent Prescribing unit and Advanced Clinical Assessment units on their individual pages.
Transfer onto the course
It is also possible to transfer to the Advanced Clinical Pharmacy Practice MSc at the end of the first or second year of study on our other courses.
Transfer of a limited amount of credit from other Higher Education Institutions is often possible (including an Independent Prescribing qualification gained elsewhere). It may also be possible to apply for the award of academic credit to recognise other previous learning (for example from some leadership and management training courses). Please contact us to discuss these options.