Independent / Supplementary Prescribing (V300)

Key information

Start date:

Please note: the January cohort is now full

Attendance dates:

16, 17, 23, 24, 30, 31 January 2025

06, 07, 13, 14, 27, 28 February 2025

06, 07, 13, 14, 20, 21 March 2025

03, 04, 10, 11 April 2025

01, 02, 08, 09 May 2025

Venue:
Kate Granger Building, 30 Priestley Road, Surrey Research Park, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7YH
Some modules may be taught at: Stag Hill campus, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7XH
Contact details:
Start date:
Attendance dates:

29 May 2025

05, 12, 19, 26 June 2025

03, 10, 17, 24, 31 July 2025

07, 21, 28 August 2025

04, 11, 18, 25 September 2025

02, 09, 16, 23, 30 October 2025

06, 13, 20, 27 November 2025

Venue:
Kate Granger Building, 30 Priestley Road, Surrey Research Park, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7YH
Some modules may be taught at: Stag Hill campus, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7XH
Contact details:

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  • Level
    7 (postgraduate)
  • Credits
    30
  • Module code
    NURM193

Module overview

The independent and supplementary prescribing V300 module provides an exciting and challenging opportunity for nurses, midwives, paramedics, physiotherapists, therapeutic and diagnostic radiographers, dietitians and podiatrists to support and improve clinical outcomes for patients. 

This module is designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills to prescribe safely and appropriately within your area of practice and current non-medical, independent and supplementary prescribing legislation.

The independent and supplementary prescriber may prescribe any medicine, within law and national & local guidelines for any condition within the practitioner’s area of expertise and competence. Please note currently, dietitians and diagnostic radiographers can practice as supplementary prescribers only.

Successful completion of the module will empower you to improve access to appropriate medication in a timely manner, in line with the NHS Long Term Plan (NHS England, 2019).

Important notice

Due to high pressure within the NHS on all services caring for people who are unwell or injured, we have received a considerable increase in applicants to study the Independent and Supplementary prescribing module (V300). 

Our partnership and commitment to the NHS, along with Health Education England commissioning of this programme, have resulted in a decision to suspend acceptance of aesthetics practitioners onto the Independent and Supplementary prescribing module for the foreseeable future.

This decision will be regularly reviewed against the context of the current crisis and changes in policy communicated via this website.

If you have any questions, please email Corinne Drummond, Module Lead - c.drummond@surrey.ac.uk.

Module aims

This module aims to:

  • Prepare registered nurses, midwives, paramedics, physiotherapists, therapeutic radiographers, and podiatrists to be safe and effective independent prescribers, and dietitians and diagnostic radiographers to be safe and effective supplementary prescribers. 
  • Professionally develop students in the higher educational context of life wide learning in line with their professional and regulatory bodies and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Competency Framework for all Prescribers (2016).

Professional recognition

This course is validated by both the NMC and HCPC for this recordable qualification.

On successful completion of all aspects of the module, the University will inform the regulatory body that the student is eligible to register their prescribing qualification, the qualification will need to be registered within the timeframes specified by the regulatory body- either NMC or HCPC.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:

  1. Assess the patient: Undertake a thorough history, including medication history and current medication (considering OTC, alternative and complementary therapies) to inform diagnosis
  2. Identify evidence-based treatment options available for clinical decision making: Understand the influences that can impact on prescribing.
  3. Present options and reach a shared decision: Critically appraise, use sources of information/advice and decision support systems in prescribing practice including clinical management plans where appropriate
  4. Prescribe: Understand and apply knowledge of drug actions in prescribing practice and monitor response
  5. Provide information: Assess, consult and communicate information to patients/clients, parents and carers
  6. Monitor and review: Monitor and respond to drug actions and recognise unsafe practice/systems acting accordingly.
  7. Prescribe safely: Prescribe safely, appropriately and cost effectively 
  8. Prescribe professionally: Practise within a framework of professional accountability and responsibility in relation to the relevant legislation for the registered health care professional body
  9. Improve prescribing in practice: Use clinical supervision and reflective practice to critically analyse and evaluate their ongoing performance as independent prescribers and continuing professional development
  10. Prescribe as part of a team: Demonstrate an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of others involved in prescribing, supplying and administering medicines and the need for inter-professional working and shared decision making.

Course content

The content of the 26 taught days will cover:

  • Pharmacology (including pharmacokinetics and dynamics)
  • Numeracy for prescribing practice
  • The contents and use of the online BNF
  • Prescribing consultations
  • Legal aspects of independent and supplementary prescribing
  • How to use resources and evidence for up-to-date evidence-based prescribing practice. 

The content will also cover a variety of specialist subjects in clinical prescribing, including major drug groups and/or diseases related to different body systems or stages of life, such as cardiovascular, respiratory, mental health, endocrine, skin and palliative care.

Learning and teaching methods

Learning and teaching methods include:

  • Enquiry-based learning, to develop critical thinking in e.g. Legal, ethical and professional issues; 
  • Lectures by specialist professionals; 
  • Case studies/scenarios, to show the application of knowledge of drugs to clinical practice; 
  • Student-led seminars, to show the application of knowledge of drugs to clinical practice and Formative Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs), to develop confidence in assessment and decision making. 
  • The learning also includes supervised learning in practice, supported by the practice supervisor and assessment in practice from a practice assessor/educator. 

Assessment

Summative assessment:

A summative assessment undertaken towards the end of the module showing competence in each area of practice and an OSCE assessed and signed by the practice assessor (NMC students) or practice educator (HCPC). A recording of the discussion after the OSCE will be submitted as an electronic file.

In addition, the University will set and mark:

  • Numeracy exam - Pass/Fail (100% pass mark) 
  • Part B Portfolio Essay - Drug Analysis - 35% weighted (40% pass mark) 
  • Pharmacology exam - Pass/Fail (80% pass mark) 
  • Part A Portfolio - Pass/Fail 
  • Part B Portfolio Essay- Reflection on Prescribing Practice - 65% module credit weighted (40% pass mark).

Course leader

Corinne Drummond

Lead for Supplementary and Independent Prescribing

Reading list

Take a look at the module reading list.

Entry requirements

You must be an employee with post-registration clinical experience (or part-time equivalent) as follows:

  • Nurses and midwives must have been qualified for a minimum of a year.
  • Physiotherapists, podiatrists, and therapeutic radiographers, dietitians and diagnostic radiographers must normally have at least two years practicing at an advanced level.
  • Paramedics are required to be qualified for three years and have undertaken or are working towards an advanced practice qualification (as defined by Health Education England, usually an MSc)
  • Current registration with NMC or HCPC and come from one of the professions listed above who have the legal right to study to become a prescriber.

You must have successfully completed a module/relevant study of health assessment that includes diagnostic examination and consultation skills or equivalent. For further advice, please email Corinne Drummond, Module Lead (c.drummond@surrey.ac.uk).

In addition you must have:

  • A written confirmation from your employer/self-declaration of support for the you to undertake the module
  • Evidence of your ability to study at level 7 by providing evidence of recent study at level 6 or above in the last five years and CPD once qualified.

You must have access to:

  • A practice assessor: a suitably prepared, qualified and experienced prescriber within your organisation, who will assess summative competencies and an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE).
  • Practice supervisor(s): experienced independent prescriber(s) who will support you in applying, reinforcing and demonstrating the required knowledge, skills and behaviours within the workplace through development of formative competencies, for the duration of the course
  • For nurses and midwives, the practice supervisor and practice assessor must be two different people (NMC, 2018) unless exceptional circumstances apply.

Self-employed students require the same practice support to undertake the module.

Fees and funding

£1,895

How to apply

Please note: the January cohort is now full and we are only taking application forms for the next cohort in May 2025

NHS applicants

You will need to submit the following application forms and documents:

Private and self-employed applicants

You will need to submit the following application forms and documents:

Please note

  • Applications typically close six weeks before the start of the module or earlier if we reach a maximum number of applications. If we still have spaces on the course, we may extend the application deadline date.
  • It is important to ensure that you complete all sections and answer all questions, incomplete forms will cause a delay and may result in you missing out on an available place.
  • If you are registered on a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) course then you will need to complete an application form for each CPD module you wish to apply for.

Send your completed application to postreg_admin@surrey.ac.uk.

Terms and conditions

When you accept an offer of a place at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to comply with our policies and regulations and our terms and conditions. You are also confirming you have read and understood the University's prospective student privacy notice.

If your sponsoring health care provider is funding you for this module, by submitting an application you agree to allow all information regarding your module (for example your exam results) to be shared with the sponsoring provider.

Cancellation policy

If you withdraw less than seven days before the module commences or do not attend on the first day (without informing the module administrator) the full cost of the module will be charged. Withdrawals after the module commences will also be charged.

Module availability

Places are confirmed approximately one month before the module start date. Please note that modules may be subject to teaching availability, student demand and/or class size caps. 

Refusal of registration

We reserve the right to refuse registration to this module if:

  1. You are the subject of any current professional investigation
  2. You have unsuccessfully attempted this module at another University.

Disclaimer

Modules listed are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. The University of Surrey has used its reasonable efforts to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publishing, but changes (for example to module content) may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of the module. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a module with us. Read more.

Course location and contact details

Campus location

Kate Granger Building

Our Medicine (Graduate Entry) BMBS degree, nursing and midwifery, and health science courses are taught at the Kate Granger Building (30 Priestley Road), on the Surrey Research Park.

Additional information

Depending on the subject and content, modules will mainly be delivered via a combination of face-to-face and online.

Some modules may be taught at: Stag Hill campus, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7XH. 
 

Post-registration Administration team
Address

University of Surrey
Guildford
Surrey GU2 7XH