Course summary
Enhance your knowledge and skills as a healthcare professional with our course in Flexible CPD Advancing Healthcare Practice (Modular/PGDip/MSc). Practising healthcare professionals can apply to either study individual modules from the CPD programme or to study this flexible, taught, workplace-based master's degree, which combines a range of optional and compulsory modules to suit their learning needs. If you already have postgraduate academic credits from other healthcare-based courses — such as PGCert/Dip in Pharmacy Practice, PGDip in Physician Associate Studies, PGCert in Independent Prescribing, or another healthcare-related subject — you may be able to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) to join the programme partway through. Full MSc programme If you are interested in studying the flexible MSc, the module options you choose will determine when you will be able to apply for the programme. For information on the other modules please see the programme structure tab at the top of this page or contact the admissions tutor at [email protected] to discuss an appropriate modular learning plan. If you are interested in studying for an MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice, please visit the Department website. MSc top-up programme only For applicants who have 120 credits at level 7 in relevant subjects aligned to the programme learning outcomes, you can apply to join for our 60 credit MSc top-up programme. For more information on the MSc Top-up programme and upcoming enrolment options, please see our Department website. Recognition of Prior Learning RPL Applicants can apply for the programme via different routes of entry. For students who wish to study at level 6, routes to a Graduate Certificate/Diploma may be available and the admissions tutors should be contacted for available options. Experienced healthcare practitioners who are not able to apply for RPL may be able to apply for Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) to recognise prior learning experiences. If you wish to apply for RPL or RPEL, please contact the Flexible CPD Advancing Healthcare Practice (Modular/PGDip/MSc) admissions tutor at [email protected] for further information. For more information, please visit our programme page: https://www.reading.ac.uk/ready-to-study/study/subject-area/pharmacy-pg/msc-advancing-healthcare-practice
Modules
Year 1 The following modules have been approved in principle for delivery in 2024/25. Please note that as part of our current curriculum improvement process, all modules require final University approval and may be subject to change. Compulsory modules: Advanced history-taking and clinical assessment Diagnostic reasoning Transition to advanced practice Professional practice portfolio Preparing to prescribe for nurses and AHPs Independent and supplementary prescribing for nurses Independent and supplementary prescribing for AHPs Supplementary prescribing for AHPs Preparing to prescribe for pharmacists Clinically enhanced skills for pharmacists Independent prescribing for pharmacists Research Methods for Health Sciences Research Project in Clinical and Health-related Sciences Introduction to Pharmacy Practice Optional modules: Work-based learning Work-based learning 2 Evidence of personal learning Reflective practice for prescriber Introduction to Evidence-Based Medicine Introduction to Audit, Service Evaluation and Quality Improvement Introduction to Service Improvement in Healthcare
How to apply
International applicants
Not applicable - this course is only open to UK applicants
Entry requirements
You are required to have: - an undergraduate honours degree in the first- or second-class range, or international equivalent, in a relevant healthcare subject - a current role working in, or sufficiently linked to, healthcare in the United Kingdom - evidence of being able to study at level 7 (master's level) - the ability to meet any module specific entry requirements (e.g. Independent Prescribing); you will need to meet these requirements to be eligible to study these modules - a minimum of one year of relevant work experience, or sufficient evidence of how you will be supported if you do not have this existing workplace-based experience (this does not apply to modules that are designed to be studied in the first year of qualified practice) - a discussion with the admissions tutor prior to submitting an application if you wish to have previous academic credits recognised. Before you apply 1. If you are applying for the full MSc or to RPL/RPEL academic credits you should email the admissions tutor at [email protected] to discuss the modular structure you are interested in applying for. If you are applying for a specific CPD module you can submit an application following the instructions below as per the information provided by the admissions team via [email protected].
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Channel Islands | £6000 | Whole course |
| Republic of Ireland | £6000 | Whole course |
| England | £6000 | Whole course |
| Northern Ireland | £6000 | Whole course |
| Scotland | £6000 | Whole course |
| Wales | £6000 | Whole course |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Provider information
University of Reading
Whiteknights House
PO Box 217
Reading
RG6 6AH