Non-Medical Prescribing for Allied Health Professionals, PGCert

You can apply for this course if you:

• have a prescribing budget in place
• be approved by Health Board Prescribing Lead and Clinical Manager
• hold a current criminal identity check to meet specific requirements of their professional body
• have identified an appropriately qualified designated medical practitioner
• demonstrate ability to study at academic Level  7
• recognition of previous learning is not applicable for this programme. Part accreditation of a module, regardless of previous learning or experience, isn't possible

• The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) have no specific requirements for allied health professionals (AHPs) but they must be suitably experienced and established in the role in which they wish to prescribe.

We are proud to provide an outstanding educational experience, using the most effective learning and teaching approaches, carefully tailored to suit the specific needs of your course. Apart from a small number of online-only courses, most of our courses consist of in-person, on-campus teaching, enabling full engagement with your lecturers and fellow students.

Practical skills sessions, lab work seminars, and workshops predominantly take place in person, allowing for group working and demonstrations. We also operate virtual labs and Simulated Learning Environments which will facilitate greater access to training opportunities in the future. However, our approach also includes the use of some online learning to support and enhance traditional face-to-face teaching. 

Online learning may take place ‘live’ using software such as Zoom, allowing you to interact with the lecturer and other students and to ask questions. Lecture recordings also allow for more flexibility to revisit material, to revise for assessments and to enhance learning outside of the classroom. Some modules have extra resources in Canvas, such as videos, slides and quizzes enabling further flexible study.

The programme comprises of two core modules: SHGM05 -Clinical Assessment and Decision Making in Non-Medical Prescribing which is 40 credits at level 7 and SHGM06 - Pharmacology principles and practice which is 20 credits at level 7. Both of these modules must be successfully completed to gain this qualification.

The programme is based at the St. David’s Park site in Carmarthen.

Teaching takes place one day a week over the academic year.

It is a professional requirement that you also have 90 hours of learning in practice that will need to be evidenced in order to achieve this qualification.

At least 40 credits

There are opportunities for Welsh speakers to study at least 40 credits of this postgraduate course through the medium of Welsh. Many University departments develop and offer Welsh medium or bilingual modules as part of their courses so you will need to discuss the possibilities with the relevant Programme Director. You can study a module or modules through the medium of Welsh where possible or submit your dissertation in Welsh with guidance from a subject specialist through the medium of Welsh.

Academi Hywel Teifi is here to support you throughout your time at Swansea University. We can offer you:

• Access to generous Welsh-language study scholarships or bursaries.
• Access to the Arwain mobile app for the latest information about Welsh-medium courses and modules available to download free on the App Store and Google Play.
• An interview through the medium of Welsh when applying for a place.
• Personal correspondence in Welsh, English or bilingually.
• The option to create and submit your coursework or sit exams through the medium of Welsh (even if you have chosen to study in English), and your work will be assessed in Welsh.
• A Welsh-speaking Personal Tutor.
• One-to-one support to improve your academic Welsh language skills.
• An opportunity to gain an additional free qualification that serves as evidence of your Welsh language ability for future employers.
• Membership of the Swansea University Branch of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.

Visit the Welsh Language Rights webpage for further information about Students' Welsh Language Rights.

Continuing to study through the medium of Welsh will be:

• a natural step for you if you have studied through the medium of Welsh at undergraduate level.
• a way of maximizing your chances of getting the best education.
• a way of receiving a high level of support as the study groups are smaller.
• a valuable addition to your CV and career development.

Professional body approval from the Healthcare Professions Council has been granted for Independent prescribing for Chiropodists/podiatrists, physiotherapists and therapeutic radiographers and for Supplementary prescribing, diagnostic radiographers.

The teaching team:

• are very experienced in delivering prescribing programmes
• have a wide range of relevant skills, experience and qualifications
• are members of a range of prescribing forums and groups
• have well established links with health board Non-Medical Prescribing Leads throughout the region 

Tuition fees for years of study after your first year are subject to an increase of 3%.

You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

International students and part-time study: It may be possible for some students to study part-time under the Student Visa route. However, this is dependent on factors relating to the course and your individual situation. It may also be possible to study with us if you are already in the UK under a different visa category (e.g. Tier 1 or 2, PBS Dependant, ILR etc.). Please visit the University information on Visas and Immigration for further guidance and support.

Current students: You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study.

If you're a UK or EU student starting a master’s degree at Swansea University, you may be eligible to apply for Government funding to help towards the cost of your studies. To find out more, please visit our postgraduate loans page.

To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Academi Hywel Teifi at Swansea University and the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol offer a number of generous scholarships and bursaries for students who wish to study through the medium of Welsh or bilingually. For further information about the opportunities available to you, visit the Academi Hywel Teifi Scholarships and Bursaries page.

Access to your own digital device/the appropriate IT kit will be essential during your time studying at Swansea University. Access to wifi in your accommodation will also be essential to allow you to fully engage with your programme. See our dedicated webpages for further guidance on suitable devices to purchase, and for a full guide on getting your device set up.

You may face additional costs while at university, including (but not limited to):

• Travel to and from campus
• Printing, photocopying, binding, stationery and equipment costs (e.g. USB sticks)
• Purchase of books or texts
• Gowns for graduation ceremonies

Swansea Employability Academy (SEA) will support you at each stage of your career journey helping you build a bright future.

Our career support services include:

• Employability workshops, employers’ talks, bespoke events and careers fairs
• Individual advice and guidance from professionally qualified Careers Advisers
• Help with finding jobs, internships, work placements and volunteering opportunities
• Access to information resources on a wide range of career management topics
• Funding to support student internship opportunities and Student Society/Club events.

We also provide help and advice for Swansea University Alumni up to two years after you graduate.

As well as subject specific support by college teaching staff and your personal tutor, the Centre for Academic Success provides courses, workshops and one-to-one support in areas such as:

• Academic writing
• Maths and statistics
• Critical thinking
• Time management
• Digital skills
• Presentation skills
• Note taking
• Revision, memory and exam techniques
• English language skills (if English is not your first language).

In addition, if you have a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD), disability, mental health or medical condition, the Centre for Academic Success have Specialist Tutors to support your learning, working alongside the Disability Office and Wellbeing Service to support all your needs and requirements whilst studying at Swansea University.

Applications close:

Deadline for September intake: 1st June, interviews held in mid-June 

Deadline for March intake: 1st November, interviews held in mid-November

Late applications cannot be accepted.

Contact

Please contact your NMP representative for your health board before you apply to enquire about funding

• Miranda Williams (Swansea Bay UHB - Nurse Education) Miranda.Williams@wales.nhs.uk
• Alison Clarke (Swansea Bay Therapies) Alison.Clarke@wales.nhs.uk
• Fiona John (Hywel Dda UHB, all professions) - Fiona.E.John@wales.nhs.uk 
• Applicants who are not applying from Swansea Bay UHB or Hywel Dda

You can access the application here: NMC and HCPC Application Form 2024

Please return your application to Swansea University.

You will be required to attend a half day selection event, which consists of a group discussion and one-to-one interviews. You must also have an up-to-date DBS check. 

EU students - visa and immigration information is available and will be regularly updated on our information for EU students page.

We recommend that you submit your application to our courses as early as you can in advance of our application deadlines. Courses will close earlier than the application deadlines listed if all available places are filled. You can find further information on our Application Deadlines webpage.

Preparing to Prescribe:

Check out this free online implementation tool kit for non-medical prescribers here.