What will I learn on this module?
This module will facilitate your development of the knowledge and skills required for safe and effective prescribing from a legally specified UK formulary. Successful completion of all components of the module will lead to the achievement of a recordable prescribing qualification with your regulatory body (NMC or HCPC). The subject areas you will study include assessing the patient and considering prescribing options, pharmacology for prescribing and de-prescribing, legal and regulatory frameworks, providing information, reaching shared decisions, monitoring and reviewing treatments, prescribing safely, professionally and as part of a team and improving prescribing practice.
How will I learn on this module?
The module is an interactive, interesting and motivating learning experience which will help you towards confident and competent prescribing decisions. To support this you will engage in a face to face or online delivery offering interactive and social learning opportunities through action learning groups, e-learning activities, and interactive mobile apps.simulation, seminars, peer review, group and individual tutorials. This will support your learning towards your assessments.
Over the course of the module you will work in partnership with your practice supervisor to identify opportunities for you to apply and integrate learning of clinical, legal and professional requirements alongside current available evidence to support your prescribing journey towards achievement of competence in practice. Your progress will be supported by your supervisor and assessed n practice by your practice assessor.
How will I be supported academically on this module?
You will be allocated an academic tutor to support you in your development and achievement of the module assessment requirements and help you to integrate your knowledge and application of prescribing practice within your formative and summatively assessed work. A small group tutorial will then be followed by an individual tutorial at specific points in the module.
What will I be expected to read on this module?
All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.
What will I be expected to achieve?
Knowledge & Understanding:
You will be able to
1. Appraise and interpret the legal, ethical and professional frameworks for accountability and responsibility for prescribing within your own sphere of practice.
2. Evaluate evidence to support your prescribing decisions.
3. Summarise the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic actions relating to products used within your sphere of practice.
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
4. Demonstrate professional skills in consultation, decision making and prescribing safely and effectively.
5. Employ partnership approaches with patients/carers to monitor and review treatment, manage/report adverse drug reactions.
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
6. Critique prescribing practice and support others to prescribe safely and effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
How will I be assessed?
Formative assessment includes:
• Mock written pharmacology examination (MLO 3)
• Peer review of Administration, Distribution, Metabolism & Excretion poster (MLO 3)
• Formative Objective, Structured, Clinical Examination (OSCE) (MLO 1-6)
• Prescription writing and Clinical Management Plans (CMP) workshops (MLO 1-6)
• Numeracy self-assessment (MLO6)
This preparation will then support the summative assessment processes which include:
• Achievement of Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) competencies in clinical practice with OSCE, CMP, service user feedback & personal reflection (MLO 1-6)
• 2 hour written pharmacology exam (MLO 3) ) (face to face or online with proctoring system, according to cohort)
• 2750 written assignment (MLO 1 & 2)
• Numeracy assessment (MLO 6)
You must be successful in all components to pass this module.
Pre-requisite(s)
Applicants must meet NMC and HCPC admission criteria (Pre Application Module Information Handbook available)
Co-requisite(s)
None
Module abstract
If you really want to make a difference in clinical practice, then Non-Medical Prescribing could be your way forward. Over the past 20 years, Northumbria University has established itself at the forefront of initiatives, working with our partners to develop the potential of health professionals as prescribers and has received excellent feedback from students. Our module continues to build on this expertise and working alongside our teaching team of leading clinicians and academic researchers you will find this to be an interactive, interesting and motivating experience which will help you to be to acquire the knowledge and skills required for safe and effective prescribing in clinical practice. Not only will you be developing and leading service provision and enriching the patient/client experience, but you will be enhancing your own clinical practice and career pathway. You will utilise technology to support your learning and work in partnership with your academic tutor, practice supervisor and assessors to help you to identify learning opportunities and begin your prescribing journey with a strong, confident foundation.
Course info
Credits 40
Level of Study Postgraduate
Mode of Study 3 years Part Time
Location Coach Lane Campus, Northumbria University
City Newcastle
Start January 2026 or March 2026
All information is accurate at the time of sharing.
Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.
Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.
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