Practice Certificate in Independent Prescribing for Pharmacists

Learn how to independently prescribe for conditions you're trained to treat. You'll improve access to care and medicines for patients. Experience new career opportunities and improve your job satisfaction.

LevelShort courses and CPD

Duration12 months

Start dates29 September 2026, 26 January 2027

Fee£1,688

Course codeCID1375

Course summary

This is the only independent prescribing course approved by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) designed especially for pharmacists in north-east England.

You need this qualification for recognition as an independent prescriber. If you pass the course, you'll receive a Practice Certificate in Independent Prescribing.

You'll learn how to assess patients and carry out physical examinations. This includes the main anatomic areas such as:

Respiratory
Cardiovascular
Gastrointestinal
Musculoskeletal
The nervous system.

You'll work towards meeting the learning outcomes outlined in the GPhC Educational Standards. You'll focus on making good clinical decisions, patient safety, and prescribing in a professional and ethical way.

Once you're qualified and registered, you can explore new roles that aren't open to non-prescribers. This makes the course vital for professional development, expanding your career choices. This course is worth 30 credits.

For more information, visit the GPhC website.

Why Sunderland for Short courses and CPD

What you'll study

The course content follows the syllabus set by the GPhC for independent prescribing for pharmacists. It meets the requirements of the Standards for Education and Training for Pharmacist Prescribers.

You'll study therapeutic topics, clinical skills, patient assessment, and more.

How you'll learn

The course offers a blended approach. This involves a mix of on-campus, live online, pre-recorded, and distance learning materials. We use a case-based strategy, using case studies as a basis for learning.

Teaching and learning methods include:

Lectures and seminars
Practical skills development sessions
Presentations
Self-directed learning
Mentored practice.

A comprehensive learning environment supports this, helping you to succeed.

The course runs twice a year, with intakes in October and January. It usually lasts 12 months but it's possible to complete it in less time. There are 10 mandatory study days, including assessments. Attendance is either online or at the University for one day a week during the first term. This is alongside independent study.

Assessment is a multiple choice exam followed by a clinical examination. These usually occur during the fourth month of the course.

You'll complete at least 90 hours of supervised practice. This will be with a designated prescribing practitioner. You'll also submit a written portfolio of evidence. This can be up to a year after starting the course, but we allow earlier completion.

Entry requirements

To apply for the course, you need to:

Be registered and considered "in good standing" with the GPhC or Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland
Have appropriate patient-orientated experience. This can be in a UK hospital, the community, or primary care following your foundation year. This aligns with the GPhC’s Standards for Education and Training.
Hold or be working towards a recognised clinical qualification at postgraduate diploma level or above. Or, provide an equivalent portfolio of evidence of clinical experience. If you can't meet this requirement, you may want to consider the MSc Clinical Pharmacy course. This includes an optional independent prescribing module.
Have an identified area of clinical practice for independent prescribing. You also need agreement from a DPP to supervise your practice.

For more information or to apply, contact cpd@sunderland.ac.uk(opens in new tab). The deadline is 31 July for October entry and 31 October for January entry.

Please note, we're unable to accept international applications.

Fees and finance support

Employers usually meets course costs. We advise that you speak to your workforce development lead before applying.

We also accept self-funded applicants. If you'd like to explore your options, contact us at cpd@sunderland.ac.uk(opens in new tab).

Apply now

Contact our team for further information about applying for this course. Call 0191 515 3361(opens in new tab) or email cpd@sunderland.ac.uk(opens in new tab).