Medicines Management

Overview

The Postgraduate Certificate in Medicines Management (Independent and/ or Supplementary Prescribing) is a part-time, web-dependent programme, developed with the aim of preparing suitably qualified Allied Health Professionals for the extended roles of access and supply of drugs under exemption order, Patient Group Directives, Independent and Supplementary Prescribing (Paramedics, Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Therapeutic Radiography) and Supplementary Prescribing (Diagnostic Radiography and Dietetics).



The programme comprises two compulsory thirty credit point modules; Pharmacotherapeutics in Prescribing and Prescribing in Practice; in combination leading to the award of Postgraduate Certificate in Medicines Management and the professional award of Independent and/or Supplementary Prescribing (for those professions eligible). The two modules are usually taken over a one year period. The programme runs from September to December (Module 1: Pharmacotherapeutics in Prescribing) and January to May (Module 2: Prescribing in Practice) each year.



Work placement / study abroad

Placement is central to the development of the safe prescriber and the educational input and support of a designated/ approved General/ Medical Practitioner is crucial to the development of the necessary competencies.



For students undertaking the full Postgraduate Certificate programme, placement is organised by the student in negotiation with the employer and Medical Practitioner, and in consultation with the University of Ulster. Clinical placement across the two modules is a minimum 90 hours. Placement is a compulsory part of this programme during which students develop their clinical skills, under the supervision of a Medical Practitioner, to be able to undertake their new role safely.



The placement setting will typically be the workplace for each student. Proposed Medical Practitioner’s will be expected to sign a declaration of eligibility (in accordance with the Department of Health’s eligibility criteria) prior to a student being accepted onto the programme. In cases where students cannot gain the skills required in their place of work, the main objective will be to seek the experiences within another suitable environment.

Year one

Pharmacotherapeutics in Prescribing

Prescribing in Practice

Applicants must have gained:

(i) an Honours or non-Honours degree in Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Diagnostic or Therapeutic Radiography from the University of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, ’or from a recognised national awarding body or from an institution of another country which is recognised as being of an equivalent standard; or



ii) an equivalent standard in a Graduate Diploma, Graduate Certificate or an approved alternative qualification; and



b) provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English (GCSE grade C or equivalent);



c) provide evidence that they meet the DH entry requirements for Independent and/ or Supplementary Prescriber training



or as an alternative to (a) (i) or (a) (ii) , (b) and (c):



(d) In exceptional circumstances, where an individual has substantial and significant experiential learning, a Prescribing Practice 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 the exemption against modules within the programme.



English Language Requirements

English language requirements for international applicants

The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 7.0 with no band score less than 6.5. 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

Podiatrists who have undertaken the Prescription Only Medicines (POM-S) annotation training at level 7 within the preceding three years may apply for exemption from the ‘Pharmacotherapeutics in Prescribing’ module via the APL system, awarded by the University or by another university or other educational institution, provided that they shall register as students of the University for modules amounting to at least the final third of the credit value of the award at the highest level in respect of a Master’s award and at least 50% of the credit value of the award in respect of a Postgraduate Diploma or Certificate award.

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.

Attendance

Students are required to attend and engage with ALL face to face teaching sessions and clinical placement hours associated with the programme. Students MUST demonstrate that placement activity is carried out and attendance meets requirements specified in the Prescribing Practice Portfolio (Minimum requirements: 90 hours attendance in clinical prescribing practice for Independent and / or Supplementary Prescribing).

Start Date: September 2026.

Careers and Opportunities

The Postgraduate Certificate in Medicines Management delivers a range of learning experiences to enable students across and between multiple disciplines to enhance their knowledge and skills, encourage critical thinking, creativity and strategic planning in Independent and/ or Supplementary Prescribing within their professional field, thereby enhancing employability. Students applying for this programme are expected to already be following a distinct career pathway with the opportunity of progressing in that pathway through the extended prescribing and leadership skills attained.