Successful students will attain the NMC recorded qualification of Independent and Supplementary Prescribing (V300).
The Post Graduate Certificate in Nurse-Midwife Prescribing is a one year part-time programme consisting of three modules of study and 90 hours of practice learning to attain both the academic award of Post Graduate Certificate and a recorded professional award Independent and Supplementary Nurse Prescribing (V300). This programme is designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, attitudes, values and competencies to make a meaningful contribution to patient care in a safe and professional manner. This programme is underpinned by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s Competency Framework for all Prescribers (2021) as adopted by the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
APPLICATION PROCESS FOR NON-MEDICAL PRESCRIBING PROGRAMME
INTRODUCTION
The arrangements that must be in place before applicants commence the Nurse Midwife Prescribing Programme are laid down by NMC and are, by the nature of prescribing, complex. The university teams endeavour to work with Trusts as far as possible to ensure that maximum potential in populating the programme is achieved, and this works normally to great effect and with a spirit of ‘being in it together’.
CLOSING DATE - Applications should be submitted no later than 31st July.
HOW TO APPLY
SELF FUNDED PLACES
Interested self-funded candidates should make a direct application using the University's online application system which can be accessed via the University homepage or by using the following link: http://www.ulster.ac.uk/applyonline
COMMISSIONED PLACES
Anyone who will be receiving a Commissioned place from the Department of Health (DoH) in Northern Ireland via their Health and Social Care Trust (HSCT) should contact the Practice Education Team in their HSCT. Your HSCT will liaise with the University regarding the nominated candidates and Commissioned Students will then be contacted by the University to submit an application form. Please DO NOT apply prior to this.
We know that choosing to study at university is a big decision, and you may not always be able to find the information you need online.
Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:
For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.
For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.
We look forward to hearing from you.
In this section
The aim of this programme is to prepare nurses and midwives to be able to incorporate safe, appropriate and cost-effective, person-centred prescribing into their practice.
This programme is also available at undergraduate level (Level 6) to take account of the professional and academic background and achievement in the target population. Those studying at undergraduate level are expected to demonstrate a level of understanding consistent with the level of study being undertaken.
Within this overall aim, the course is designed to enable you as a student to:
Demonstrate understanding of the legislation regulating nurse prescribing; review the implications for your professional practice of undertaking the extended roles of prescribing and practice within a framework of professional accountability and responsibility; use diagnostic reasoning skills on the data acquired from history and health assessment to achieve appropriate diagnoses; apply knowledge of pharmacology in prescribing appropriate drugs to achieve defined health outcomes;
In addition you will be prepared to: prescribe safely, appropriately and cost-effectively within the administrative arrangements in operation; evaluate and document the effectiveness of drug therapy; empower patients/clients and their carers and families through education for safe and effective self-management of drug therapy with recognition of their right to make their own decisions; collaborate with others in the health care team in prescribing, supplying, administering and disposing of medications; and utilize up-to-date information from a range of sources in decision-making about prescribing; demonstrate theoretical knowledge relating to all aspects of Nurse-Midwife prescribing including the genesis and development of Nurse-Midwife prescribing in the United Kingdom; apply existing and new knowledge of pharmacotherapeutics, legal and ethical issues and health assessment to the practice of person-centred Nurse-Midwife prescribing;
You will also develop the academic skills to assimilate, synthesize and evaluate information at an appropriate level for each student and the elected level of study; and exercise sound judgment in the decision-making processes that are central to safe Nurse-Midwife prescribing practice.
This is a part time course normally delivered at Belfast campus, completed over one academic year (ie September until the end of May). Attendance is monitored.
The programme aims to deliver a structured curriculum of teaching, learning and assessment, enabling students to develop the necessary knowledge, skills and understanding .The learning experience encourages students to become active and motivated learners, who can seek information, question and analyse its validity and draw appropriate and logical conclusions.
Teaching, learning and assessment in the School are based on the belief that knowledge and information gained in the theoretical modules needs to be contextualised within practice. Ultimately, students are encouraged to build upon this to make connections between theoretical content and practice experiences thus facilitating an ability to suggest possible developments or enhancements in practice that in turn would lead to knowledge generation opportunities. This serves to help students understand the intimate link between theory and practice.
Teaching, learning and assessment take a variety of forms across the suite of modules as specified throughout this document. The strategies used are based on andragogical principles of adult learning such as self-direction and a capacity to draw upon experience. Teaching and learning in the programme has been informed by the Faculty Teaching & Learning Strategy that is an application of the University Teaching & Learning Strategy.
The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 59% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition.
Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (25%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (20%) or Lecturers (55%).
We require most academic staff to be qualified to teach in higher education: 82% hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher. Most academic staff (81%) are accredited fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) by Advanced HE - the university sector professional body for teaching and learning. Many academic and technical staff hold other professional body designations related to their subject or scholarly practice.
The profiles of many academic staff can be found on the University’s departmental websites and give a detailed insight into the range of staffing and expertise. The precise staffing for a course will depend on the department(s) involved and the availability and management of staff. This is subject to change annually and is confirmed in the timetable issued at the start of the course.
Occasionally, teaching may be supplemented by suitably qualified part-time staff (usually qualified researchers) and specialist guest lecturers. In these cases, all staff are inducted, mostly through our staff development programme ‘First Steps to Teaching’. In some cases, usually for provision in one of our out-centres, Recognised University Teachers are involved, supported by the University in suitable professional development for teaching.
Figures correct for academic year 2021-2022.
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The Belfast campus is situated in the artistic and cultural centre of the city, the Cathedral Quarter.
We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.
In this section
Applicants must satisfy the University’s general entry requirements and specific requirements for the course are detailed here with further conditions of application available on pre-course information available from the HEI
i) a pre-registration degree in Nursing or Midwifery, a post-registration degree in Nursing, Midwifery or Health Studies/Sciences or an Honours or non-Honours degree in another relevant subject area from a University of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, from the Council for National Academic Awards, the National Council for Educational Awards, the Higher Education and Training Awards Council or from an institution of another country which is recognised as being of an equivalent standard; or
(ii) An equivalent standard in a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma or an approved alternative qualification; and provide evidence of the skills for evidence-based practice;
Applicants must also
1) Hold current registration with the NMC either as a registered nurse (level 1), a registered midwife or Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (SCPHN) with a minimum of one year's experience in the area in which they intend to prescribe
2) Be employed or self-employed (including NHS and non-NHS settings) as a registered nurse/midwife and also provide confirmation that the necessary governance structures are in place, in the student's employment (including clinical support, access to protected learning time and employer support where appropriate) to enable students to undertake, and be adequately supported throughout, the programme.
English language requirements for international applicants
The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 7.0 and a score of at least 7 on each of the four aspects of this test.
Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.
Students who have previously completed the Health Assessment module may gain exemption from that module provided they are currently using the skills of patient assessment in practice which can be mapped to the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s Competency Framework for all Prescribers (2021) as adopted by the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
No exemptions can be made from the two core modules of the programme, Prescribing in Practice and Pharmacotherapeutics in Prescribing or the practice learning hours.
In this section
Students who enrol on this programme are normally already employed in the specialism of their career choice. Successful attainment of this qualification places students in a strong position with the skills and knowledge to perform at a high level of practice, thus enhancing your career potential.
Students will complete a minimum of 90 hours in clinical practice and evidence how they have achieved the competencies within the Nurse-Midwife Prescribing Practice Assessment Document (NMP PAD).
Recorded by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) for the purpose of registration for Independent and Supplementary Nurse Prescribing (V300)
The price of your overall programme will be determined by the number of credit points that you initiate in the relevant academic year.
For modules commenced in the academic year 2023/24, the following fees apply:
| Credit Points | NI/ROI/GB Cost | International Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | £186.65 | £440 |
| 10 | £373.30 | £880 |
| 15 | £559.95 | £1,320 |
| 20 | £746.60 | £1,760 |
| 30 | £1,119.90 | £2,640 |
| 60 | £2,239.80 | £5,280 |
| 120 | £4,479.60 | £10,560 |
| 180 | £6,719.40 | £15,840 |
NB: A standard full-time PGCert is equivalent to 60 credit points per year. A standard full-time PGDip is equivalent to 120 credit points per year.
It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees.
Where a course has additional mandatory expenses (in addition to tuition fees) we make every effort to highlight them above. We aim to provide students with the learning materials needed to support their studies. Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. Computer suites and free Wi-Fi are also available on each of the campuses.
There are additional fees for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.
Students choosing a period of paid work placement or study abroad as a part of their course should be aware that there may be additional travel and living costs, as well as tuition fees.
See the tuition fees on our student guide for most up to date costs.
We know that choosing to study at university is a big decision, and you may not always be able to find the information you need online.
Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:
For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.
For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.
We look forward to hearing from you.
'A great course, very challenging but well worth while doing for my current role and future career prospects '
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