General Pharmacy Practice (Prescribing) UCL

Overview

The General Pharmacy Practice (Prescribing) at UCL is a comprehensive foundation training programme designed to equip registered pharmacists with the essential knowledge and clinical capabilities required for modern healthcare. This patient-focused course utilizes a blended learning approach, combining workplace-based experience with academic study to ensure practitioners can deliver safe and effective pharmaceutical care. By integrating theory with professional practice, the curriculum supports pharmacists in transitioning from novice roles to advanced clinical practitioners.

Why General Pharmacy Practice (Prescribing) at UCL?

UCL School of Pharmacy delivers this programme in collaboration with over 30 accredited NHS Training Centres and hospitals across London and the surrounding regions. The curriculum is strictly aligned with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Foundation Pharmacy Framework, ensuring that the training meets national standards for professional progression. Students benefit from a robust support infrastructure, including guidance from local educational supervisors and access to specialist learning sets at the university. This partnership between academia and the NHS provides a unique environment for developing leadership and complex problem-solving skills in a clinical context.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

• International fee: GBP 1350 per module
• National fee: GBP 1350 per module

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The programme is structured into two distinct stages covering 120 credits. Modules may include:

• General Practice
• Clinically Enhanced Independent Prescribing
• Clinical and Professional Portfolio
• Pharmacy Practice
• Advanced Practice

The first stage focuses on medicines supply, evidence-led clinical advice, and patient information. The second stage allows practitioners to choose between discrete modules focused on service improvement and critical appraisal or a specialized prescribing route. Successful completion of the prescribing module enables pharmacists to apply for annotation on the GPhC register as an independent prescriber.

Careers with General Pharmacy Practice (Prescribing)

Graduates of this programme are prepared for enhanced roles within NHS Hospital Trusts and private healthcare organisations. The training supports career progression from standard band 6 roles toward advanced pharmacy practice and leadership positions. By meeting the requirements of the Foundation Pharmacy Framework, practitioners demonstrate the competence needed for specialist areas of care and clinical decision-making. The inclusion of the independent prescribing qualification significantly expands graduate opportunities, allowing pharmacists to take on greater clinical responsibility and improve patient outcomes through direct prescribing authority.