PCert Independent / Supplementary Prescribing

University of Kent

United Kingdom, Canterbury

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Home/United Kingdom/Canterbury /University of Kent/PCert Independent / Supplementary Prescribing

University of Kent

United Kingdom , Canterbury

Key Facts

Program Level

PhD (Philosophy Doctorate)

Study Type

Part Time

Delivery

On Campus

Campuses

Medway

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake DeadlinesSeptember-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 8 month(s)

Next Intake September-2026

PCert Independent / Supplementary Prescribing

About

Overview

This is a well-established and successful independent/supplementary prescribing programme for pharmacists, nurses, midwives, physiotherapists, paramedics, podiatrists, radiographers and dietitians.

It is a part-time, 8 month blended learning programme which leads to you qualifying as an independent prescriber (pharmacists, nurses, midwives, physiotherapists, podiatrists, paramedics and therapeutic radiographers) or as a supplementary prescriber (diagnostic radiographers and dietitians). You develop the knowledge and skills to practise as prescribers and to meet the standards set by your respective professional/regulatory body. Also available at Level 6 for nurses/midwives only.

Is this programme right for me?

If you are a pharmacist, nurse, midwife, physiotherapist, paramedic, podiatrist, radiographer or dietitian looking to become a prescriber this is the programme you are looking for.

We also run a 40-credit module as part of the University of Greenwich MSc Advanced Clinical Practice. If you are part of this Greenwich programme and have selected the Prescribing module then you do need to complete our Prescribing Application form.

Entry points and application deadlines

All application forms are to be emailed to MSOPPGTAdmin@greenwich.ac.uk

Please do not post any application forms.

You can find upcoming cohort dates under Course Structure.

All dates and deliveries are subject to change.

Teaching

The Prescribing Programme is delivered by distance learning with a total of nine in person study days at the University, plus 12 days clinical practice, overseen by a DPP/PS/PE.

Accreditation

This course is accredited by GPhC, NMC, HCPC.

About Medway School of Pharmacy

Medway School of Pharmacy is one of the few regional schools of pharmacy in the UK, a collaboration between the University of Kent and the University of Greenwich.

The impetus for the formation of the Medway School of Pharmacy came from the local community, who recognised the shortage of qualified pharmacists in all branches of the pharmacy profession in Kent.

The School is recognised as an established school with accreditation from the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). Graduates are employed in health disciplines in Kent and the south-east and more broadly across the UK.

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Registration with the appropriate professional/regulatory body (NMC, GPhC, PSNI or HCPC)
Applicants must be in good standing with their professional/regulatory body
Appropriate experience in the area of practice in which they will be prescribing
The ability to study at academic level 6 or level 7
Nurses and Midwives: At least one year's post-registration clinical experience in the UK. This includes all nurse (level 1), midwife or SCPHN registrants (including NHS, self-employed or non-NHS employed registrants) at the point of application
Pharmacists: must demonstrate they have relevant patient orientated experience in a UK Pharmacy setting in their application
Allied Health Professionals (excluding Paramedics) At least three years' post-registration clinical experience in the UK at the point of applying
Advanced Paramedic Practitioners: College of Paramedics recommend that paramedics are registered and qualified for at least five years with at least three years' relevant post-qualification experience in the clinical area in which they will be prescribing
Advanced Paramedic Practitioners will normally have evidence in their application that they have completed or are working towards a Master's qualification (level 7)
Appropriate numeracy skills, clinical/health assessment, diagnostics/care management and planning and evaluation of care in their intended area of prescribing practice.
Support from the sponsoring organisation confirming service need, indicating the necessary governance structures are in place (including clinical support, access to protected learning time and employer support where appropriate) to enable the students to undertake and be adequately supported throughout the programme. Access to appropriate supervised practice
A named practice supervisor (nurses and midwives); designated prescribing practitioner (pharmacists); practice educator (AHPs), who will facilitate, supervise and support the student during their clinical placement

It would be helpful (but not essential) for applicants to submit their Qualification certificates with their applications.

Please note students need to be in active clinical practice to be on this programme of study. The longest period of time a student can be out of clinical practice while on the programme is 2 consecutive weeks. This means that if you are on maternity leave, secondment or sabbatical, you are not currently eligible to undertake the programme of study. Please apply when you return to work.

While we welcome applications with a focus on aesthetics, we recommend a broader scope than botulinum.

We have created a Prescribing Application FAQ page to help with any queries you may about about your application. Click here to go to that page

All applicants are considered on an individual basis and additional qualifications, professional qualifications and relevant experience may also be taken into account when considering applications.

International students

Please see our International Student website for entry requirements by country and other relevant information. Due to visa restrictions, students who require a student visa to study cannot study part-time unless undertaking a distance or blended-learning programme with no on-campus provision.

English language entry requirements

This course requires a Good level of English language, equivalent to B2 on CEFR.

Details on how to meet this requirement can be found on our English Language requirements webpage.

Examples:

IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component

PTE Academic 63 with a minimum of 59 in each sub-test

A degree from a UK university

A degree from a Majority English Speaking Country

Need help with English?

Please note that if you are required to meet an English language condition, we offer a number of pre-sessional courses in English for Academic Purposes through Kent International Pathways.

Career

Your future

There is a high and rising demand for a range of healthcare professionals to qualify as non-medical prescribers. There are career opportunities for both non-medical prescribing nurse practitioners and pharmacists in GP surgeries or other primary care settings and enhanced options for radiographers, physiotherapists, podiatrists and dietitians with the prescribing qualification.