Clinical Pharmacy MSc

Intro

This MSc course is for pharmacy graduates who want to gain experience of clinical pharmacy practice in the UK as well as a postgraduate qualification.

As a student on this course, you will study new developments in the areas of clinical pharmacy and pharmacy practice and spend time in our clinical skills laboratory.

Workshops make extensive use of patient simulation technology known as SimMan 3G, which allows for realistic and challenging scenario-based learning to help with the development of critical thinking and clinical decision-making skills.

You will also have the chance to undertake a placement in a clinical setting to maximise your practical experience and interact with other healthcare professionals and patients.

Extended masters

The Extended Masters (EMA) gives international applicants the opportunity to take an intensive English language course before starting their degree. Successful completion of the EMA allows you to progress automatically to the MSc.

Key facts

Location Brighton: Moulsecoomb

Full-time 1 year

Apply online

Please review the entry requirements carefully and if you have any questions do get in touch with us.

Apply now for your place

Course content

Course structure

This is a 12-month, full-time course with a combination of seven modules run over two semesters, one independent study module and six university-based modules.

The independent study module is supported by specifically written module materials and staff-led tutorial sessions. The remaining six modules involve a mixture of lectures, skills-based workshops and research-based activity.

You will need to complete a research project and will have a supervisor to support you.

Syllabus

Modules

Applied Therapeutics
Clinical Research Methods
Current Research in Pharmacy
Clinical Pharmacy Project
Pharmaceutical Skills
Health Promotion for Pharmacists

Options

Specialised Clinical Practice
Advanced Diabetes Therapies
Pharmaceutical Care of Surgical Patients
Global Perspectives on Health and Medicines

Applied Therapeutics is a distance-learning module supported by a workbook, tutorials and a clinical placement, giving you an in-depth understanding of the therapeutic process by examining the major diseases that affect the population. It uses evidence-based practice to assist in rational drug therapy, taking patient factors and economic considerations into account.

Pharmaceutical Skills is a year-long module that gives you the necessary skills to practise pharmacy. These skills include those in communication, record keeping, numeracy, teamwork, literature searching and evaluating, dispensing, and diagnostic and patient management.

The Special Topic varies according to your interests. Example topics include diabetes, oxidative stress, human disease and the pharmaceutical care of surgical patients.

The Project module is the largest of the course. It mainly involves independent study, requiring you to collect and analyse your own data and report on your findings, but you will also have a project supervisor who will support and guide you throughout the academic year.

The types of project vary and some may require ethical approval before they begin. Examples of projects that the course leader has supervised include:

Comparison of the CHADS₂ and HAS-BLED scoring tools to evaluate the current prescribing practice of anticoagulation therapy in atrial fibrillation patients

Prescribing practice of the selective aldosterone antagonist, eplerenone

Assessment and management of cardiovascular disease in HIV patients

Service evaluation to determine whether patients attending cardiac rehabilitation have had their cardio-protective medication up-titrated since discharge

The use of vancomycin infusion in cardiothoracic patients

Treatment of hyperglycaemia in acute coronary syndrome patients

SimMan 3G

All Clinical Pharmacy students have access to our SimMan 3G, a highly advanced patient simulator that allows you to monitor vital signs, detect numerous signs of disease and assess clinical response to drug treatment in real time.

The simulator can be programmed to exhibit the symptoms of specific medical conditions, so you can apply your theoretical knowledge to a variety of practical scenarios. This will help you to be more confident when faced with similar real-life situations.

For more information on SimMan, visit the manufacturer website.

Careers

You will graduate with enhanced career opportunities and a deeper understanding of research methodology, which may be appropriate for further study of a PhD. The course is beneficial to students who have had a career break and want to get back into the workplace, or who want a career change to a role more focused in clinical pharmacy.

Students reading up on their clinical skills

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

The entry requirements listed here are our typical offer for this course for students planning to start their course in 2019, and should be used as a general guide. We operate a flexible admissions policy – this means that different applicants may be made higher or lower offers for the same course, depending on their other achievements.

Degree and experience
MPharm (2ii or above) or equivalent pharmacy degree.

Applicants with a relevant PGDip are eligible for up to 120 credits recognition of prior learning against this award.

English language requirements
International applicants require IELTS score of 6.5 overall and not less than 6 in each parameter or equivalent.

International students whose language skills do not match the IELTS scores set out here should consider applying for this course through the Extended Masters programme at the university's Language Institute.

Fees

Course fees

UK/EU (Full-time)6,426 GBP

International (Full-time)15,012 GBP

Scholarships, bursaries and loans

We offer a range of scholarships for postgraduate students. Bursaries and loans may also be available to you.

Find out more about postgraduate fees and funding.

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2019–20.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK/EU students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full-time or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

What's included in the fee?

When costs such as health or DBS checks, or use of specialist materials are incurred as a mandatory requirement of the course they are included in your tuition fee.

You may incur additional costs depending on the optional modules or activities you choose. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. Before you apply check with us for advice about what is included and what optional costs you could face so you can budget accordingly. You can chat with our enquiries team through the Stay in touch panel at the end of this page.

See our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Location

Local area

About Brighton

The city of Brighton & Hove is a forward-thinking place which leads the way in the arts, technology, sustainability and creativity. You'll find living here plays a key role in your learning experience.

Brighton is a leading centre for creative media technology, recently named the startup capital of the UK.

The city is home to a national 5G testbed and over 1,000 tech businesses. The digital sector is worth over £1bn a year to the local economy - as much as tourism.

All of our full-time undergraduate courses involve work-based learning - this could be through placements, live briefs and guest lectures. Many of these opportunities are provided by local businesses and organisations.

It's only 50 minutes by train from Brighton to central London and less than 40 minutes to Eastbourne. There are also daily direct trains to Bristol, Bedford, Cambridge, Gatwick Airport, Portsmouth and Southampton.

Map showing distance to London from Brighton

Campus where this course is taught

Moulsecoomb campus

Two miles north of Brighton seafront, Moulsecoomb is our largest campus. Subjects taught here include architecture, business, computing, construction, engineering, geography, product design, law and pharmacy.

On campus you will find professional-standard facilities including a flight simulator, trading room, design and digital media suites and specialist research laboratories, alongside the library, student centre, a nursery, fitness facilities and Students’ Union. There are excellent public transport links.

The Big Build
A major transformation of our Moulsecoomb campus began in summer 2018. By the time the Big Build is complete, there’ll be new halls of residence, academic building, and Students’ Union and fitness facilities – all created with sustainability, inclusivity and community in mind.

As the development grows it will provide many exciting learning opportunities for our students, ranging from live projects, placements and internships with the companies involved to guest lectures and site visits. Find out more...

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Accommodation

Brighton: Moulsecoomb

Looking for clearing accommodation? Accommodation is available, we can help you find your home from home.

All eligible students applying for 2020 are guaranteed an offer of university-managed accommodation.

Halls of residence
We have halls of residence across Brighton in the city centre, Moulsecoomb, Varley Park and Falmer.

You'll be prioritised for accommodation in the halls that are linked to your teaching base, subject to availability.
Moulsecoomb campus is linked to Varley Park and Moulsecoomb Place halls
- Varley Park offers a mix of room and catering options. Varley Park is around two miles from Moulsecoomb campus and four miles from the city centre. Public transport in the city is excellent, and there’s a shuttle bus between our Brighton campuses during term time.
- Moulsecoomb Place halls are all catered and are located right on campus.

Unihomes and unilets
Unihomes and unilets are student houses that we let to our students on behalf of private landlords. This option can work particularly well when you’re balancing learning with placements and other commitments. We have unihomes and unilet properties at locations across the city.

Starting in 2019 and looking for accommodation advice? Find out more about our accommodation options.

Private renting
There's plenty of support if you opt for private rented accommodation. This is an option which offers choice and flexibility – enabling you to choose where you live and who with. We manage our own studenthomes database of properties. This lists accommodation offered by landlords who have signed up to our code of standards. Every summer we provide online events and resources, as well as other advice services, for students looking for a place to live and people to share with.