Independent and Supplementary Prescribing for AHPs
Credit bearing module
Key facts
Course code
CPD7009
Start dates
January 2025 / September 2025 / January 2026 / September 2026
Application deadline
1 July (for a September start) 1 November (for a January start)
Location
Course length
Part time: Two semesters
This course is not available to students classed as International for fees purposes.
Overview
Independent and Supplementary Prescribing for AHPs is a blended learning course. It provides a programme of preparation for Registered Chiropodists/Podiatrist, Physiotherapists, Therapeutic Radiographers or Paramedics.
It will allow you to develop the knowledge and skills required to practise as safe, effective and competent independent and supplementary prescribers, who are able to provide and be accountable for a high professional standard of care.
How to apply
Entry requirements
Before being considered as eligible to apply for entry onto this module you must:
- be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and working within the United Kingdom
- meet the HCPC (2019) Standards for prescribing requirements and those of their professional body
- have 3 year’s post-registration experience
- have successfully completed an accredited Level 6 or 7 module in History Taking and Physical Assessment
- have an identified Practice Educator who meets the HCPC (2019) Standards for Prescribing and RPS (2020) Competency Framework for Designated Prescribing Practitioners
- have a current satisfactory full enhanced DBS check (within the last 3 years)
- have an Honours degree or higher, or be able to provide evidence of your potential to study at Level 7
- have the support of your employer who confirms your post will have the need and opportunity to act as an independent/supplementary prescriber.
Terms and Conditions of Enrolment
When you accept our offer, you agree to the Terms and Conditions of Enrolment. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.
Application process
Before starting your application please read the Admissions Guide.
Apply through our Moodle Portal.
Tuition fees
Questions about fees?
Contact Student Finance on:
Tuition fees
Fees quoted are for the first year only. If you are studying a course that lasts longer than one year your fees will increase each year.
How and when to pay
Tuition fee instalments for the semester are due by the Monday of week 1 of each semester. Students are not liable for full fees for that semester if they leave before week 4. If the leaving date is after week 4, full fees for the semester are payable.
- For information on payment methods, please see our Make a Payment page.
- For information about refunds, please visit our Refund policy page
Financial support and scholarships
Additional costs
Please be aware that some courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. Specific additional costs for this course are detailed below.
Learning and assessment
This course consists of both taught content and e-learning activities. The taught days take the form of a range of lectures, discussions and tutorials. The e-learning activities are accessed via the Virtual Learning Environment.
Students are also required to complete a minimum of 80 hours of direct supervised practice alongside a practice educator. The period of educationally-led practice is a fundamental part of the course in developing the knowledge, skills and attitudes of health care professionals to prescribe. Learning in practice will be related to the medical conditions and circumstances in which you are likely to prescribe as an Independent / Supplementary Prescriber. The assessment of practice is the responsibility of the Practice Educator providing support, teaching and supervision of the student. Evidence gained from the student’s practice experience will be included in the Learning Log of Prescribing Evidence.
Learning and teaching
The course introduces pharmacology, legal and ethical prescribing, interpersonal skills and quality assurance aspects of prescribing. These are underpinned by reflection on your own experience, evaluation of your own performance and application of theory to practice. It also enables you to be aware of current developments within Independent/ Supplementary prescribing in the UK.
Assessment
Assessment methods used on this course
The assessment strategy for this course is designed to assess the professional requirements for safe, effective and cost-effective prescribing and enable the students to demonstrate competency against the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (2021) A Competency Framework for all Prescribers.
The course assessment comprises:
- Learning Log of Prescribing Evidence (mapped to RPS competencies, 2021)
- Personal formulary from within the individual practitioner’s scope of practice
- Evidence of satisfactory completion of a period of 80 hours of educationally led supervised practice
- Pharmacology in-class test
- Numeracy in-class test
Programme changes:
On rare occasions we may need to make changes to our course programmes after they have been
published on the website. For more information, please visit our
changes to programmes page.