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PCert, PDip, MSc

General Pharmacy Practice

This programme has been designed in close collaboration with NHS partners to support the development of foundation stage pharmacists. Build your knowledge and skills in clinical pharmacy practice and medicines management. Gain the core skills required to provide holistic pharmaceutical care in the practice setting.

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Pharmacy

Key information

Start
October and March
Location
Medway
Study mode
PCert: 18 months, PDip and MSc: 1 year
Typical offer
Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
All entry requirements

Overview

We work on a philosophy of student-centred workplace learning, supported by workbooks and learning sets facilitated by experienced pharmacy practitioners. You are expected to take responsibility for managing your learning and achieving the course objectives in support of your continuing professional development (CPD).

You will gain the understanding needed to conduct effective consultations with patients respecting their diverse needs and with regard to confidentiality and consent and to identify, prioritise and resolve complex pharmaceutical care issues.

Blended learning

The postgraduate Diploma in General Pharmacy practice is a predominantly work-based programme that develops competencies using the Foundation Pharmacy Framework (FPF), a validated competency framework accredited by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. 

As a student on this programme you will be allocated:

  • An educational supervisor (practice tutor) who will help you to plan your learning in the workplace

  • An academic facilitator who offers support throughout the course. 

Self-directed learning in the workplace is underpinned by study days (or learning sets) at the university co-ordinated by an academic facilitator.

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

The course

What you'll study

Postgraduate Certificate (PCert): There is one intake each year for the certificate level of the programme. Students begin in March of each year and attend eight learning sets over a period of 18 months. By October of the following year, if all the assessments have been passed, you can either exit with a postgraduate certificate or transfer to the postgraduate diploma.

Postgraduate Diploma (PDip): The postgraduate diploma consists of two separate modules which each run for six months, starting in March and October. Both modules are delivered via three learning sets. Most students complete the certificate and then transfer immediately to the diploma. There is flexibility in the system and you can elect to delay before transferring if necessary. You must complete within six years of the certificate start date.

Completing the practice elements of the programme leads to both an academic award and the award of a Statement of Completion of General Pharmacist Training (SCGPT) from an accredited training centre.

Master's degree (MSc): If you have successfully completed the postgraduate diploma in General Pharmacy Practice you can elect to continue to the MSc. You will complete a research project within your Trust, supported by one or two academics with expertise in practice research. You will gain expertise in research techniques relevant to your project, you will be supported to write a protocol and complete either an NHS or University Ethics application (whichever is appropriate) and to collect and analyse your data. Start dates are in September, January and April.

You will need to have the support of your Trust to carry out your project. Ideally this will include at minimum some protected time to collect data. If you are not sure of what topic you would like to research, we can help you find a suitable project relevant to your working environment.

We identify a lead academic to support you. You can expect to take six months to a year to complete your research – if NHS ethics approval is required this can be a lengthy process. You will be required to write a thesis and prepare and defend a poster suitable for submission to a conference. You will also have to write two short reflective essays about your experience of research.

Location

Contact days will require attendance at the Medway School of Pharmacy, the University of Brighton, or locations in Sussex.

Features

The structure of the programme empowers you to plan and develop your own learning leading to the achievement of the academic and practice awards. You will be able to develop individual learning plans for yourself based on prior knowledge and the acquisition of new skills. You will be able to present yourself for summative assessment when you, your educational supervisor and you academic tutor feel you are ready. 

Certificate Stage

  • Practitioner Development and Establishment of Professional and Clinical Practice (60 credits)

Diploma Stage

  • Module A: Developing Self, Others and your Operational Management Skills (30 credits)

  • Module B: Ensuring Patient Safety and a Quality Service (30 credits)

MSc

  • Research project

How you'll study

Postgraduate taught modules are designed to give you advanced study skills, a deeper knowledge of the subject, and the confidence to achieve your ambitions.

Entry requirements

Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)

Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).

In addition practitioners must have an accredited practice base from which to operate and have access to an accredited educational supervisor.

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.

Fees and funding

For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.

Tuition fees may be increased in the second and subsequent years of your course. Detailed information on possible future increases in tuition fees is contained in the Tuition Fees Increase Policy.

The 2026/27 annual tuition fees for UK postgraduate research courses have not yet been set by the Research Councils UK. This is ordinarily announced in March. As a guide only, the full-time tuition fee for new and returning UK postgraduate research courses for 2025/26 is £5,006.

Your fee status

The University will assess your fee status as part of the application process. If you are uncertain about your fee status you may wish to seek advice from UKCISA before applying.

Fees

Please see our Fees page

Search our scholarships finder for possible funding opportunities. You may find it helpful to look at both:

International scholarships

Unlock your potential with scholarships up to £5,000

Research

Kent is a leading research university, meaning that you will be informed about new discussions and developments by the people making them. This means your work will have real potential to make a difference.

Staff research interests

Full details of staff research interests can be found on the School's website.

Your future

This programme provides progression for pharmacists towards advanced practitioner status.

Completion of the practice elements of the course leads to the award of the Certificate of Completion of General Pharmacist Training from an accredited training centre.

Postgraduates earn

£6,000
more per year than graduates (Graduate Labour Market Statistics, 2021).

A degree can boost average lifetime earnings by over

£300,000
Graduate employment outcomes - Universities UK

Ready to apply?

Applications must come via the workplace Educational Programme Director in the first instance.

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