Clinical Pharmacy (MSc)
- Duration: 3 years
- Mode: Part time distance learning
Open day
Find out more about studying here as a postgraduate at our next Open Day.
Why study this course
This programme is available for those who have completed the Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy.
Developed by experienced practitioners
A key qualification developed by experienced practitioners across 22 hospitals in four centres around Wales and England.
Combine an academic course with your professional role
Combines an academic course with your everyday role to develop the skills and knowledge to optimise patient care, and aid career advancement.
Learn at your own pace
Flexibility enables you to complete the course at your own pace, between three and eight years.
Convenient location
Course conducted mainly in your base hospital.
Sharing and learning from best practice
Provides the opportunity to compare practices across regions and learn from each other.
This MSc course offers you the opportunity to gain a Masters level qualification to develop you in your role as a clinical pharmacist.
The MSc in Clinical Pharmacy is a 180 credit level 7 qualification that has been designed to support your development as a pharmacist in your early career or if you are planning to change healthcare sector. Having completed the Postgraduate Clinical Pharmacy Diploma, by undertaking this masters programme, you will achieve a higher degree whilst you gain the knowledge, skills and professional values and behaviours a pharmacist needs to contribute effectively to the provision of healthcare.
Through completing this programme, you will learn how to address the complex health related challenges faced by patients and the population as a whole. You’ll develop a comprehensive understanding and critical awareness of your role as a pharmacist and that of the pharmacy profession in a changing healthcare environment. This will include an understanding of the structure, organisation and funding of the health service, how resources are managed and how services are deemed to be clinically and cost effective.
This programme will also support you to become a confident independent learner and critical thinker and will embed the principles of quality improvement and using research to develop an evidence base. You’ll be supported to enhance your consultation and communication skills and to make decisions in complex clinical situations that may be acute or chronic. This will include an understanding of risk and how it can be managed or mitigated through appropriate quality management and clinical governance frameworks. You will embed the principles of shared decision making and multidisciplinary team-working in your practice.
Where you'll study
School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
We are a leader in clinical skills development with an international reputation for teaching and research.
Admissions criteria
In order to be considered for an offer for this programme you will need to meet all of the entry requirements. Your application will not be progressed if the information and evidence listed is not provided.
With your online application you will need to provide:
- Evidence that you are registered as a pharmacist with the General Pharmaceutical Council of Great Britain (GPhC) or a country where there is a reciprocal agreement, either providing your registration number for us to undertake an online check, or a certificate of registration.
- A copy of your IELTS certificate with an overall score of 7.0 with 7.0 in all subskills, or evidence of an accepted equivalent (in line with those required by the professional body, the GPhC). Please include the date of your expected test if this qualification is pending. If you have alternative acceptable evidence, such as an undergraduate degree studied in the UK, please supply this in place of an IELTS.
- A reference from your employer to evidence that you currently work in a patient-facing practice setting. References should be signed, dated and less than six months old at the time you submit your application.
- A personal statement which covers the following points:
- Why you have selected this programme
- What interests you about the programme
- Any relevant experience related to the programme or module content
- How you plan to use the qualification in your career
- How you and your profession will benefit from your studies
- Why you feel you should be given a place on the programme
Application Deadline
The application deadline is 31 July. If you submit an application after this date, we will only consider it if places are still available.
Selection process
We will review your application and if you meet the entry requirements, we will invite you to an interview. Following interview, offers will be made to the highest scoring candidates.
Additional information
Please note that the optional independent prescribing module is available to students within the MSc Clinical Pharmacy who meet the specific entry criteria to that module. Details on this can be found here: https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/taught/standalone-modules/pharmacist-independent-prescribing
Find out more about English language requirements.
Applicants who require a Student visa to study in the UK must present an acceptable English language qualification in order to meet UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) requirements.
Criminal convictions
A DBS is not required for entry to the programme, however if experiential learning as a part of an optional module needs to take place away from your usual place of work, you may be asked to provide a copy of your current DBS certificate.
If you are currently subject to any licence condition or monitoring restriction that could affect your ability to successfully complete your studies, you will be required to disclose your criminal record. Conditions include, but are not limited to:
- access to computers or devices that can store images
- use of internet and communication tools/devices
- curfews
- freedom of movement
- contact with people related to Cardiff University.
Course structure
The MSc in Clinical Pharmacy is a part-time postgraduate programme and involves studying 180 credits for the MSc, with the options to exit with 120 credits for the Diploma or 60 credits for the Certificate. The Certificate and the Diploma modules run from September to June each academic year whereas the MSc dissertation module runs from January until December in the final year.
Please note that there are three Core (compulsory) modules in the programme, one of which you will undertake in the first year of the programme, Optimising Health Outcomes (20 Credits).
For each of the other two Core (compulsory) modules, Applied and Integrated Therapeutics (Prevalent Chronic Conditions) (20 credits) and Quality Improvement and Leadership (20 credits), you have the optionality to undertake the module in either year 1 or year 2 of the programme.
The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum. Final modules will be published one month ahead of your programme starting.
Year one
In this year you will study 60 credits. You will study Optimising Health Outcomes (20 credits) and then an additional 40 credits from the remaining core (compulsory) and optional modules.
Choices of the optional modules available may depend upon where you work and if it is relevant, for example critical care will only be available to those based in secondary care.
Year two
In this year you will study 60 credits, from the core (compulsory) and optional modules. The choice will depend upon what modules you completed in year 1.
Choices of the optional modules available may depend upon where you work and if it is relevant, for example critical care will only be available to those based in secondary care.
Year three
In this year you will complete the 60 credit MSc dissertation module. This will be a research project.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Research Project | PHT740 | 60 credits |
The University is committed to providing a wide range of module options where possible, but please be aware that whilst every effort is made to offer choice this may be limited in certain circumstances. This is due to the fact that some modules have limited numbers of places available, which are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, while others have minimum student numbers required before they will run, to ensure that an appropriate quality of education can be delivered; some modules require students to have already taken particular subjects, and others are core or required on the programme you are taking. Modules may also be limited due to timetable clashes, and although the University works to minimise disruption to choice, we advise you to seek advice from the relevant School on the module choices available.
Learning and assessment
How will I be taught?
The School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is committed to developing the knowledge and skills needed for a pharmacist to improve health outcomes and health care for patients. Top-quality teaching relies on academic and clinical expertise of pharmacy practitioners and clinicians.
You will be taught in a variety of ways. A blended learning approach has been taken, which includes face-to-face study days, experiential learning, directed study, on-line activities and self-directed study. The exact nature of your learning will be dependent upon the modules selected.
Attendance at study days will be dependent upon the modules chosen, but all students will attend the initial 3 day study block in September held in Birmingham, a 2 day study block at the beginning of October held in Cardiff either in year 1 or 2, and other study days either held in one of the four teaching centres (North Wales, South-East Wales, South-West Wales or Oxford) or in Cardiff, depending upon which modules are undertaken.
Throughout all modules there is a particular emphasis on identifying your own specific learning needs to direct your independent study and to ensure the module is relevant to your own practice. Application of knowledge and skills in practice is the core of each module.
How will I be assessed?
Assessments measure professional, academic and/or clinical practice. Many modules include formative assessments (assessments which do not count towards the module mark) which are intended to provide you with feedback and an indication of your progress.
Methods of summative assessment (assessments which count towards the module mark) vary depending upon the module and their specific learning outcomes. Methods include portfolios, oral presentations, objective structured clinical examination, written assignments such as posters, patient management problems, reflective assignments and analytical reviews. Where there is an experiential practice component of the module, an assessment of your practice will be completed by an accredited tutor. These tutors are trained, supported and guided by the University academic staff.
Attendance at Cardiff University will be required for some compulsory assessments, for example the Objective Structured Clinical Examination and the poster presentation.
We will provide you with feedback on your work in a variety of formats. These will include oral feedback and electronic written feedback on assessed coursework. The opportunity to understand and use feedback constructively will also be provided through meeting with your personal tutor. During your experiential practice you will be supported in your progress by an accredited tutor who will provide verbal and written feedback on your practice.
How will I be supported?
Personal Tutor
Academic support for your studies will be by your Associate Course Director, who will act in the capacity as your University personal tutor. The personal tutor system is a vital and central part of student support within the School. The role of the personal tutor is to monitor overall academic progress and to provide pastoral support, acting where appropriate as the first point of contact and a gateway to the student support services provided by the University (including the Careers Service, the Counselling Service, the Disability and Dyslexia Service, the Student Support Service). They will visit you in your place of work at least three times within the timeframe of the Diploma and will be available to provide support to you through e-mail, telephone and in person. The Programme Director is also contactable and is available to answer your questions and address any difficulties you may be having with your studies.
Resources
At the beginning of your course there is a compulsory online induction module. This will help you find your way around the University’s virtual learning environment and it will also provide general information including about the personal tutor system, and how our administration and IT teams will support you. The virtual learning environment is accessible via desktop and mobile devices, allowing you to access relevant multimedia material, presentations, workshop handouts, bibliographies, further links, electronic exercises etc from anywhere.
The University library is available year-round. Staff are available to assist you and provide support and advice. The library holds many electronic journals and books that you will be able to access to help you with your studies.
Student-Staff Panel
At the beginning of each year a Student Academic Representative is appointed for the programme from amongst the students.
Student Academic Representatives bring feedback from students on their course to regular student-staff panels, where the representatives meet with School Staff to discuss the ways in which their courses can be improved. Student Academic Representatives are also a vital part of the feedback loop, communicating the changes brought about in Student-Staff panels back to the student body.
What skills will I practise and develop?
The Learning Outcomes for this Programme describe what you will be able to do as a result of your study at Cardiff University. They will help you to understand what is expected of you.
The Learning Outcomes for this Programme can be found below:
Knowledge & Understanding:
On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate:
- systematic integration and application of pharmaceutical, biomedical, clinical therapeutic knowledge and patient assessment in patient care.
- critical understanding of the communication and consultations skills frameworks and models and their appropriate application to patient and population health care.
- comprehensive understanding of the factors affecting health inequalities and social determinants of health.
- a conceptual understanding of the management and leadership of health care services and systems in the UK.
- comprehensive understanding of quality improvement and research methods used in healthcare and the ethical and organisational issues relevant to their application in practice.
- comprehensive knowledge of information, clinical and research governance in the healthcare environment.
Intellectual Skills:
On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate:
- an ability to reflect on and evaluate learning in the clinical workplace.
- application of critical evaluation and appraisal skills when making decisions, both within and beyond the scope of guidelines.
- the critical thinking, problem solving, reasoning skills needed for the effective management of medicines related problems in practice and to operate in and across a range of healthcare settings.
- development, planning, completing and communication of the results of an original quality improvement project.
- critical appraisal of research proposals and methods in order to develop a research protocol for a specific project.
- selection of appropriate research methodologies in order to address a research question(s).
- completion of, and communication of the results of, a Masters level research project which addresses a contemporary research question related to healthcare.
Professional Practical Skills:
On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate:
- safe and effective professional practice.
- systematic understanding and application of communication and consultation skills required to contribute to the effective management of medicines related problems in practice.
- the appropriate professional behaviour and judgement in a wide range of clinical and non-clinical contexts.
- the ability to work as an independent, reflective practitioner, who takes personal responsibility for their actions.
Transferable/Key Skills:
On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate:
- effective participation in multidisciplinary and inter-professional teams.
- effective communication of balanced and appropriate information to different audiences by oral and written means.
- a comprehensive understanding of a range of leadership principles, approaches and techniques and the ability to apply them in practice.
- digital capabilities relevant to the professional role.
- the ability to manage the personal challenges of coping with uncertainty.
Tuition fees for 2025 entry
Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on your fee status. Your fee status could be home, island or overseas.
Learn how we decide your fee status
Fees for home status
| Year | Tuition fee | Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Year one | £3,817 | None |
| Year two | £3,817 | None |
| Year three | £3,817 | None |
Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland
If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss national, your tuition fees for 2025/26 be in line with the overseas fees for international students, unless you qualify for home fee status. UKCISA have provided information about Brexit and tuition fees.
Fees for island status
Learn more about the postgraduate fees for students from the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
Fees for overseas status
| Year | Tuition fee | Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Year one | £9,150 | £2,500 |
| Year two | £9,150 | None |
| Year three | £9,150 | None |
More information about tuition fees and deposits, including for part-time and continuing students.
Financial support
Financial support may be available to individuals who meet certain criteria. For more information visit our funding section. Please note that these sources of financial support are limited and therefore not everyone who meets the criteria are guaranteed to receive the support.
Additional costs
You may incur costs related to attending study schools e.g. travel and accommodation. If your programme is funded by your employer, you should check with your employer whether they will be providing financial support with this aspect too.
If you are a self-funder or part-funder, you may incur additional costs relating to accommodation and travel expenses to attend any study days.
Living costs
We’re based in one of the UK’s most affordable cities. Find out more about living costs in Cardiff.
Funding
Careers and placements
The course offers knowledge and expertise required by a clinical pharmacist to input optimally into patient care. It integrates a traditional academic course with your everyday role, with the aim of developing vital skills and knowledge to apply to your work.
Placements
There are no formal placements within the programme; however for the majority of modules there is experiential learning.
Next steps
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HESA Data: Copyright Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited 2021. The Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited cannot accept responsibility for any inferences or conclusions derived by third parties from its data. Data is from the latest Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20, published by HESA in June 2022.
