Advanced Pharmacy Practice - Online

Overview

The Advanced Pharmacy Practice (APP) MSc course (60 credits) is based on the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) Core Advanced Pharmacist curriculum, which encompasses the four pillars of clinical practice, leadership and management, education and research. The clinical practice, leadership and management, and education pillars are delivered by NICPLD, and the research pillar is delivered by the university.



Students can be admitted onto the MSc programme through Accreditation of Prior/ Certified Learning having met the learning outcomes of the following modules from programmes successfully completed at NICPLD or equivalent institution.



• Foundation Pharmacist Programme

• Pharmacotherapeutics for Pharmacist Independent Prescribers

• Medicine Optimisation for Pharmacist Independent Prescribers



An opportunity for accreditation of prior learning (APL) is available - please contact the Northern Ireland Centre for Pharmacy Learning Development (NICPLD) at NICPLD-Post-Reg@qub.ac.uk for more information.

Year one

Foundation Pharmacist Programme



Year two

Pharmacotherapeutics for Pharmacist Independent Prescribers

Medicine Optimisation for Pharmacist Independent Prescribers



Year three

Advanced Pharmacy Practice Development

Research Methodologies for Advanced Pharmacy Practice



Year four

Research Project in Advanced Pharmacy Practice

Applicants must:

(a) have successfully completed an RPS-accredited foundation programme, and



(b) have successfully completed a GPhC-accredited independent prescribing programme; and



(c) must be employed as a pharmacist.



In exceptional circumstances, as an alternative to (a) and/or (b), where an individual has substantial and significant experiential learning, a portfolio of written evidence demonstrating the meeting of graduate qualities (including subject-specific outcomes, as determined by the Course Committee) may be considered as an alternative entrance route. Evidence used to demonstrate graduate qualities may not be used for exemption against modules within the programme.



An opportunity for accreditation of prior learning (APL) is available - please contact the Northern Ireland Centre for Pharmacy Learning Development (NICPLD) at NICPLD-Post-Reg@qub.ac.uk for more information.



Students will need support from their employer to undertake the work-based practice activities, and to develop a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate that they have achieved the capabilities and outcomes of the RPS Core Advanced Pharmacist Curriculum.



The initial application process, and the funding application process, for this workforce development programme, is managed by NICPLD. Please see https://www.nicpld.org/courses/advance/ for more details.



English Language Requirements

English language requirements for international applicants

The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.



Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.



• For English language requirements go to: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/global/apply/english-language-requirements



• For Your country go to: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/global/apply/country



Exemptions and transferability

It may be possible for students to transfer with credit to other programmes at similar level within the University, but this would be at the sole discretion of the receiving course team.



Due to the specific nature of the modules on this programme, students transferring into the programme will be required to undertake all compulsory modules (unless previous qualifications are recognised as equivalent to the modules and are approved through the University’s Accreditation of Prior Learning scheme). Each case of exemption is determined by whether the certificated evidence is commensurate with the learning outcomes within the module(s) for which exemption is sought. All students are accepted in accordance with the Faculty APC/EL Policy.

Your Application

You can apply directly to Ulster at any time of year. We advise that you submit your application no later than two weeks prior to your course start date. This is to ensure there is sufficient time for your application to be reviewed and, should you be made an offer, time for you to complete all the necessary pre-enrolment tasks.



Some programmes will have specific deadlines as additional selection (e.g. interview, portfolio submission etc) is required, so please check the course page to ensure you have sufficient time to complete your application.

The course is a part-time distance learning programme delivered as a combination of webinars, self-directed learning and work-based practice activities. Students are expected to engage with all on-line material associated with the programme and be punctual and regular in engagement with the programme

Start Date: September 2026.

Careers and Opportunities

Successful students can progress into an accounting training contract to become a professionally qualified accountant. The programme has excellent post-graduation employment rates and through the University's Employability & Careers Service, we facilitate linkages with prospective employers during the programme.