Non Medical Prescribing | University of Chester

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Course Summary

We offer a Non-Medical Prescribing course which employs a learning approach that is perfect for the busy healthcare professionals of today.

We aim to ensure that the course delivers outcomes which meet the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) Competency Framework for all Prescribers (2021) adopted by the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC), Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) and General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).

The academic course team is multi-professional and made up of NMC, HCPC and GPhC registrants, some of whom are lecturer practitioners which adds to the clinical currency of the Non-Medical Prescribing course at the University of Chester.

Key to our learning approach is the University’s excellent library and IT facilities – you’ll be able to access the learning materials provided in an electronic format at places and times that fit around your work and lifestyle.

What You'll Study

This 40-credit course consists of one 40-credit module. The programme employs shared learning by nurses (Level 1), midwives, pharmacists, and allied health professionals (currently physiotherapists, radiographers, podiatrists, paramedics and dieticians). The content follows the curriculum recommendations of all three professional bodies and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Competency Framework for all Prescribers (2021).

Module

The aim of this module is to enable the professional to attain the competencies as identified by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (2021) Framework for safe effective prescribing practice.

The RPS (2021) generic Prescribing competency framework forms the basis of the curriculum and has been used to inform the design and delivery of the programme acting as a contextual framework to structure learning and assessment for all students regardless of their professional background. The RPS competencies are:

1: ASSESS THE PATIENT

2: CONSIDER THE OPTIONS

3: REACH A SHARED DECISION

4: PRESCRIBE

5: PROVIDE INFORMATION

6: MONITOR AND REVIEW

PRESCRIBING GOVERNANCE (COMPETENCIES 7-10)

7: PRESCRIBE SAFELY

8: PRESCRIBE PROFESSIONALLY

9: IMPROVE PRESCRIBING PRACTICE

10: PRESCRIBE AS PART OF A TEAM

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

How You'll Learn

Students will experience a flexible blend of teaching and learning methods designed to facilitate the achievement of all learning outcomes at degree or MSc level using a student-centred approach.

The summative assessment methods are mapped against the national professional and governing bodies’ regulation and education standards and include:

Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
Numeracy exam
Pharmacology exam
Competency assessment

The required 90 clinical hours learning allows students to gain experiences from varied clinical areas.

Beyond The Classroom

On this course, you’ll spend time out on placement where you’ll apply what you have learnt to real scenarios in the workplace, giving you genuine experience and insight that will prepare you for your future career.

Entry Requirements

The applicant must:

be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (nurses and midwives), or the General Pharmaceutical Council (pharmacists), or the Health and Care Professions Council (relevant allied health professionals)
be professionally practising in an environment where there is an identified need for the individual to regularly prescribe
be able to demonstrate support from their employer/sponsor/designated clinical assessor
have the required relevant post-qualification experience as set by your professional governing body
have up-to-date clinical, pharmacological knowledge relevant to the area of prescribing
have a valid Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) disclosure.

This course is not open to international students.

Fees and Funding

£1,950per year (2025/26)

Guides to the fees for students who wish to commence postgraduate courses in the academic year 2025/26 are available to view on our Postgraduate Taught Programmes Fees page.

Your course will involve additional costs not covered by your tuition fees. This may include books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery and related materials, specialist clothing, travel to placements, optional field trips and software. Compulsory field trips are covered by your tuition fees.

The University of Chester supports fair access for students who may need additional support through a range of bursaries and scholarships.

Full details, as well as terms and conditions for all bursaries and scholarships can be found on the Fees and Finance section of our website.

Who You’ll Learn From

Jenny Stewart

Skills and Simulation Coordinator

Veronique Oldfield

Deputy Head

Nahim Khan

Senior Lecturer

Where You'll Study Wheeler, Chester

City centre location

On-site library

Social spaces

Your Future Career

Job prospects

After successful completion of the Non-Medical Prescribing course, students should register their prescribing qualification with the NMC, HCPC or GPHC to enable them to legally prescribe within their clinical roles.

Careers service

The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.

Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.

We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs .