Developer Info

At a glance

• £6 million state-of-the-art teaching and laboratory facilities
• Exceptional teaching quality and student satisfaction ratings
• Curriculum mapped to General Level and Advanced to Consultant Level Frameworks for pharmacy practice
• Excellent graduate employment prospects with pharmacists in high demand worldwide
  

Course overview

This postgraduate programme will provide you with the skills and knowledge to appraise current practices, research new ideas and develop viable alternative approaches. It provides education and training as the base for successful and responsible careers in clinical pharmacy. The course will provide you with a clear understanding of the role of clinical pharmacists. You will expand your knowledge base in key areas of therapeutics, receiving experiential training in clinical pharmacy practice, provided through tuition (including a strong element of mentorship).

You will be encouraged to adopt an enquiring approach to the subject, appraise and evaluate clinical pharmacy practices, be prepared to challenge the status quo, and to offer your views on alternative approaches. At all stages you will be encouraged to adopt a self-directed learning approach to facilitate an ethos of lifelong learning.

The various modules of the LJMU Clinical Pharmacy Diploma have been mapped to the General Level Framework (GLF) for general pharmacy practice and the foundation level of the Advanced to Consultant Level Framework (ACLF).

Successful completion of the diploma will ensure that you have covered the GLF and aspects of the Foundation level of the ACLF. As a result of this, you will be equipped to promote, develop and assess clinical pharmacy services, which will be of direct benefit to the health services and to the patients you serve.

The Postgraduate Certificate component extends over one year. The Postgraduate Diploma component of the course extends over two years. Progression to the Master of Science qualification can normally be completed in six months to two years. Intake for the Postgraduate Certificate/Postgraduate Diploma takes place in September and February each year. Applications for continuation to the MSc component of the course can be considered at any time.

The School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences is at the forefront of modern research and teaching and emphasises the importance of both in order to deliver a top quality education to all of its students. The Teaching Quality Assessment claims that ‘the close relationship between the students and teaching staff at the School of Biomolecular Sciences provides a very harmonious and effective teaching environment’.

Why study this course at LJMU?

The School of Pharmacy at LJMU has a long and proud history of producing pharmacists who excel in their field. The Clinical Pharmacy programme offers advancement to graduates and those studying the programme are exposed to quality researchers at the top of their field. 

Introduction to the School

The School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences offers a wide variety of courses at undergraduate and postgraduate level for full and part-time students. These include for example, CPD in Oncology Pharmacy Practice (by on-line distance learning), a CPD in Clinical Pharmacokinetics (by on-line distance learning) and a professional doctorate in Pharmacy (DPharm). The Liverpool School is the second oldest School of Pharmacy in the country having been established in 1849. At its last inspection, the School received an excellent grade (23/24) for its teaching on pharmacy related programmes, as part of the national Quality Assurance Assessment exercise.

Staff research interests

The School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences conducts research in a diverse range of areas, from social science in Pharmacy Practice; through laboratory work in Drug Delivery and Materials Science; Biochemistry; Cell Biology; Genetics and Forensic Science; Microbiology; Toxicology; Medicinal Chemistry (for which the School houses specialised equipment) to QSAR and Modelling, using sophisticated computer programmes.

How will I be assessed?

Assessments are associated with each module. Each module’s final mark is variably derived from continually assessed coursework and/or an end of semester written examination. As students successfully complete assessments they accumulate the appropriate credits. For the Master of Science Research Project Module students must submit a bound research project report and undertake an oral examination. All assessments are moderated by an external examiner, who also conducts the oral examinations. Students whose overall performance, at either Postgraduate Diploma or Master of Science level, is of exceptional merit will be awarded a Distinction.

Entry requirements

Students will be graduates in Pharmacy. In addition, students will be required to be currently working in a pharmacy setting within reasonable travelling distance from the University. On completion of the application form, students will be invited for interview, prior to admission to the course. For entry to the MSc, the University also accepts those students who have obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy from another institution. MSc students are not required to work within reasonable travelling distance from the University.

In addition, international students should hold IELTS English language at a minimum of 6.5 or equivalent

Minimum TOEFL requirements:

Listening - 17
Reading - 18
Speaking - 20
Writing - 17

Will I be interviewed?

Fees information

Please contact the admissions team for details.

Financial support

Securing funding is one of the main hurdles you may have to face when considering Postgraduate study. However there is help available and you may be able to apply for funding from the sources below.

Loans

This will normally be from a bank. The most popular of these is a Professional and Career Development Loan (PCDL). These loans are from £300 to £10,000 in value and can be used to cover up to 80% of your course fees. Further Information from www.direct.gov.uk and look for PCDL

Charities and Trusts

Trusts and charities can offer assistance to some students. Eligibility for these trusts and charities vary enormously. Your local library will have a section of books and directories of grant making trusts.

Research Councils

Research councils may provide support for recognised postgraduate courses. Their websites offers useful information regarding the support and funding opportunities on offer. Competition for this type of funding can be very strong. For more information about Research Councils visit: www.rcuk.ac.uk

Statutory funding

You need to be aware that most PG courses do not attract statutory funding. The ones that do attract statutory support (grants and/or loans) that we offer at LJMU are:

• PGCE courses , for more information please vist www.directgov.co.uk and www.tda.gov.uk
• MA social work for which an NHS bursary is payable to some students. For more information please visit www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk
• PG dip in Architecture

Advice and support at LJMU

LJMU offers a Postgraduate bursary of £500 to students who go from an undergraduate course to study a taught PG course. For further information and eligibility see http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/feesandfunding/117585.htm

LJMU employs a team of staff that are experts in fees and funding who can offer advice based upon your personal circumstances. You can contact them on 0151 904 6056/6057, or email studentadvice@ljmu.ac.uk for guidance and support.

How to apply

Please apply via the online application form

LJMU's Admissions policy is in line with the University's Equal Opportunities Policy and applications are welcome from all candidates who fulfil the entry criteria. The university has a commitment to equality of opportunity and welcomes application from everyone regardless of age, disability, race or sex. The University is committed to widening participation and therefore will actively consider applicants who do not have a relevant degree but who are able to provide satisfactory evidence of their knowledge in the area. All applicants will be considered by the Recruitment and Selection Panel, if shortlisted applicants will be asked to attend for an interview.

International students

LJMU offers an extensive support system through its international office and study centre. An equivalence to the normal entry requirements is needed for entry. Students must also demonstrate a proficiency in communicating through English, for example with an IELTS tests or equivalent. Please note that because of UK visa restrictions, International students are only permitted to study on a full-time basis. Please contact LJMU’s International Team by visiting www.ljmu.ac.uk/international for more information and advice.

Further information

Please contact the Faculty of Science on:

tel: 0151 231 2888
fax: 0151 207 3224
email: ScienceAdmissions@ljmu.ac.uk