UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE
Programme Specification
This Programme Specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme
and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and
demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
1. Awarding Institution / Body
University of Central Lancashire
2. Teaching Institution and Location
of Delivery
University of Central Lancashire
Preston campus
3. University School/Centre
School Of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences
4. External Accreditation
None
5. Title of Final Award
Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy Practice
6. Modes of Attendance offered
Part-time
7. UCAS Code
-
8. Relevant Subject Benchmarking
Group(s)
Pharmacy
9. Other external influences
Structured Training and Experience for Pharmacists
(STEP) Programme
London Competency Frameworks: General Level (GLF)
and Advanced Level (ACLF). View at www.codeg.org.uk
January 2010
Updated January 2013
PCR April 2013
10. Date of production/revision of this
form
11. Aims of the Programme
The aim of the Postgraduate diploma is to develop the clinical and technical knowledge and skills of
qualified pharmacists to deliver core pharmaceutical services safely and effectively within primary,
secondary and community care settings. The programme is designed to enable students to:
 Demonstrate critical enquiry, analysis and application of knowledge in their practice to support
problem-solving
 Acquire and develop proficient life-long learning skills through Continuous Professional
Development (CPD) and the progression of a Personal Development Plan (PDP)
 Champion the role of pharmacist within multidisciplinary healthcare teams
 Exercise personal professional autonomy within governance frameworks and systems.
 Consolidate and extend theoretical knowledge and practice skills to facilitate pro-active
pharmaceutical care and management of patients / clients
 Engage with work based learning to develop the attributes of an independent practitioner
 Develop all communication systems which includes the ability to present a reasoned argument
12. Learning Outcomes, Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
A. Knowledge and Understanding
At the end of the programme of study the student will be able to:
A1 Demonstrate systematic understanding of knowledge at the forefront of pharmacy practice
A2 Evaluate current challenges and tensions surrounding health and social provision
A3 Synthesize knowledge to create individualised pharmaceutical care plans
A4 Evaluate the methods, processes and outcomes of their experience of learning from and in work
A5 Work as part of the team to ensure the provision of the correct medicines within the required
timeframe
A6 Demonstrate a working knowledge of research methods and numerical analysis
Teaching and Learning Methods
Self-directed, practice-based, problem-based learning (PBL)
Assessment methods
Case studies, care plans, presentations, Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs),
portfolio
B. Subject-specific skills
At the end of the programme of study the student will be able to:
B1 Demonstrate their scope of practice in response to the evolving patient/client centred care
needs
B2 Demonstrate skilled practice based on critical reflection and the application of specialist
knowledge
B3 Evaluate their role within the context of the multidisciplinary team and the impact on patient
outcome
B4 Obtain a comprehensive history and conduct an examination/assessment of health needs to
inform the development and execution of a pharmaceutical care plan
B5 Demonstrate appropriate communication skills to a range of audiences using a variety of
methods
B6 Develop, implement and evaluate pharmaceutical care plans for a diverse patient selection in
accordance with safety, evidence and local formulary restrictions
B7 Use national and local medicines management initiatives to inform practice
Teaching and Learning Methods
Self-directed, practice-based, PBL
Assessment methods
Case studies, care plans, presentations, OSCEs, portfolio
C. Thinking Skills
At the end of the programme of study the student will be able to:
C1 Reflect on and evaluate their own academic and professional progression
C2 Appraise issues relating to the provision of pharmacy services in a range of settings
C3 Evaluate contemporary evidence for their practice
C4 Establish creativity, initiative and personal responsibility for continued educational, professional
and practice improvement
Teaching and Learning Methods
Self-directed, practice-based, PBL
Assessment methods
Case studies, care plans, presentations, OSCEs, portfolio
D. Other skills relevant to employability and personal development
At the end of the programme of study the student will be able to
D1 Practice as an independent practitioner, extending their scope of practice within their
organisational boundaries
D2 Demonstrate their leadership and decision making skills to support problem solving in complex
and unpredictable situations
D3 Facilitate and promote the achievement of the objectives of their employing organisation
D4 Manage and sustain change effectively
D5 Support innovative and creative practice designed to deliver a high level of care for
patients/clients
D6 Contribute to the design the delivery of high quality services, evaluating the process and
outcomes of change using appropriate information and quality metrics
Promote multidisciplinary working, acting as a resource within the care team and with other
stakeholders
Teaching and Learning Methods
Self-directed, practice-based, PBL
Assessment methods
Case studies, care plans, presentations, OSCEs, portfolio
D7
13. Programme Structures*
Level
Level 7
Module
Code
PJ4500
PJ4503
PJ4504
PJ4505
PJ4506
PJ4507
PJ4508
Module Title
Professional Competence module
Clinical Pharmacy Practice
Medicines Information
Student Initiated Clinical
Pharmacy Practice
Postgraduate Research Skills
Student Initiated Specialisms
Portfolio Module
Optional Modules (students
must choose one depending on
whether they work in primary or
secondary care
PJ4501 Patient Services in Primary
Care
PJ4502 Patient Services in Secondary
Care
15. Personal Development Planning
14. Awards and Credits*
Credit
rating
0
20
10
20
20
40
0
Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical
Pharmacy Practice
Requires 120 credits at Level 7
plus a pass in modules PJ4500
and PJ4508
Exit Award:
Post Graduate Certificate in
Clinical Pharmacy Practice
Requires 60 credits at Level 7
plus a pass in module PJ4500
10
10
Coursework and assessments will provide the framework around which the students can build their
Continuing Professional Development Records and Portfolio which is a regulatory requirement and,
as an integral part of this, their own Personal Development Plan. The structure of the Royal
Pharmaceutical Society’s on-line recording directs the user through the reflection and planning
processes. The portfolio developed as part of the course assessment will contribute to the mandatory
portfolio. Evidence that the student has identified and met learning requirements will be reviewed.
Examples of how learning needs can be identified are critical incident analysis, peer review and
engagement in the performance appraisal system. The Personal Development Plan should take
account of different learning preferences (such as peer group or individual learning), clearly identify
where team or multi-professional learning offers the best solution, and take full advantage of
opportunities for learning on-the-job.
16. Admissions criteria
Programme Specifications include minimum entry requirements, including academic qualifications,
together with appropriate experience and skills required for entry to study. These criteria may be
expressed as a range rather than a specific grade. Amendments to entry requirements may have
been made after these documents were published and you should consult the University’s website for
the most up to date information.
Students will be informed of their personal minimum entry criteria in their offer letter.



Normally have a first degree (2:2 class or above) or equivalent, in pharmacy from an approved
institution of higher education. Have a current registration with the General Pharmaceutical
Council
Have a minimum of 6 months post registration experience.
Be working in, or able to access a practice environment that will enable them to meet and achieve
the course learning outcomes.

Students applying for postgraduate programmes must have a minimum level of English language
proficiency equal to IELTS 6.5 or equivalent.
Any offers made to students will be conditional on the student being able to:
 Identify a work based mentor/tutor, who will support and guide their development throughout the
course. This tutor will need to be approved by UCLan.
 Provide one reference from practice/work.
 Be able to satisfy the Course Leader that they are competent to pursue the programme.
Informal enquiries are welcomed. Your application will be considered on its merits and in the light of
the nature and scope of the programme. You may be invited for an informal discussion before being
offered a place.
If you do not meet the above criteria you may still be considered for admission to the programme; you
will be required to provide evidence of suitable experience and supportive qualifications. You may be
called for an interview.
17. Key sources of information about the programme


Fact sheet
University web site www.uclan.ac.uk
APPENDIX 21 - CDG
18. Curriculum Skills Map
Level
Please tick in the relevant boxes where individual Programme Learning Outcomes are being assessed
Module
Code
Module Title
Programme Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Skills
Thinking Skills
Core (C),
Compulsory
(COMP) or
Option (O)
LEVEL 7
LEVEL 7
A1
PJ4500
PJ4501
PJ4502
PJ4503
PJ4504
PJ4505
PJ4506
PJ4507
PJ4508
Professional Competence Module
Patient Services in Primary Care
Patient Services in Secondary Care
Clinical Pharmacy Practice
Medicines Information
Student Initiated Clinical Pharmacy Practice
Postgraduate Research Skills
Student Initiated Specialisms
Portfolio Module
v 9 01.10
C
O
O
C
C
C
C
C
C
Other skills relevant to
employability and
personal development
Knowledge and
understanding
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
A2
A3
A4
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
A5
A6
B1 B2
B3
B4 B5
B6
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
C1
C2
C3
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√ √
√ √
√
√
√
√
√
√
D1 D2 D3 D4 D5
D6
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
D7
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√ √
C4
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
B7
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√