Foundation Degree
in Pharmacy Practice
The Medway School of Pharmacy
The Medway School of Pharmacy is the only regional School of Pharmacy in the UK and is a unique collaboration between the University of Greenwich and the University of Kent. The School received approval from the RPSGB in March 2004. This meant that the first cohort of students started their pharmacy degree in September 2004. The School is situated in the heart of a new multiversity development in Chatham Maritime, Kent.
What are Foundation Degrees?
Foundation degrees (FDs) represent a new government initiative to encourage more people into higher education. They have several key components:
Foundation degrees:
- Are work based
- Include a taught course which is work related
- Are divided into sections. Students who complete sections will be awarded academic credits for the work done
- Take into consideration prior learning, for which academic credit can also be given
- Provide a route into a number of honours degree programmes
- Involve employers in their design and review.
Foundation Degree Pharmacy Practice at Medway School of Pharmacy
From September 2005 the Medway School of Pharmacy will be offering this unique Programme.
Target Group
Developments in the role of the pharmacist have created more opportunities for other health care staff to work with people who take medicines. These roles are not confined to pharmacies alone. Training in the use of medicines is needed by pharmacy technicians, those working in the pharmaceutical industry, people in care settings, those working in general practice and those undertaking modernisation roles within the NHS.
Programme Aim
The overall aim of the programme is to eEquip students to undertake careers in pharmacy and other related health care professions which involves working with people who take medicines. For some students progression to stage 2 of the MPharm will be their goal as the MPharm is the only route to registration as a Pharmacist
The programme achieves this aim by:
- Providing knowledge about scientific and problem solving principles
- Providing a broad knowledge of the pathophysiology and pharmacology of selected disease states
- Providing an introduction to the study of pharmaceutical chemistry, biochemistry and pharmacology
- Introducing students to the ways in which medicines are designed, developed and manufactured
- Developing transferable skills to facilitate personal development, including progression to honours and postgraduate options, in particular the BSc. in Pharmaceutical Science delivered by the University of Greenwich.
Programme Structure
The programme is a 240 credit, full-time qualification, which may be completed in 2 years. The FD in Pharmacy Practice is delivered by a combination of taught courses and work placements. Students will attend a pharmacy placement one day per week during term time for 2 terms. The taught component will require attendance at the Universities at Medway Campus (Chatham Maritime) 2-3 days per week.
The Programme consists of 8 compulsory Courses as follows
In Year :
- Learning through Reflection on Practice 1 (45 credits)
• Pharmaceutical Chemistry for Pharmacy (30 credits)
• Essential Physiology for Pharmacy (15 credits)
• Pharmacy Practice 1 (30 credits)
In Year 2
• Learning through Reflection on Practice 2 (60 credits)
• Essential Pharmacology for Pharmacy (15 credits)
• Biochemistry for Pharmacy (15 credits)
• Medicines Design and Manufacture (30 credits)
The courses vary in their hours of learning. Typically for a 15 credit course, 50 hours will be spent in directed learning, 50 hours on reflection, portfolio and assessment, and the remaining 50 hours on private study. Each course includes seminars, laboratory work, problem based learning, practice-based activities and assignments to be carried out in the work place. In the second year, students carry out a work-based project. Assessment is by practice work, examinations, submission of work-based assignments within a portfolio of evidence.
There will be shared learning in some of the courses with students on the MPharm (Pharmacy) undergraduate programme.
Work Placements
Students will be placed in a pharmacy for one day a week (or an equivalent block of time) for 10 weeks per term. Placements will take place in two terms. Placements can be nominated by the student (subject to School of Pharmacy approval) or more usually will be allocated to the student by the School of Pharmacy. Students will not receive payments for the specified days in the work placement as they are an essential component of the Foundation Degree programme.
Progression to BSc or MPharm Programmes
After successful completion of the Foundation Degree students will be eligible to continue onto stage 2 of the MPharm programme. Students who successfully complete the MPharm programme will be eligible to qualify as pharmacists (subject to passing a post degree pre-registration year examination). Alternatively, successful Foundation Degree students may apply to transfer to the THIRD and FINAL year of the BSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences with the University of Greenwich, although this will not entitle students to practice as a pharmacist.
Entry criteria
Students will have
• 240 points at A2 level
• Achieved at least 60% in a science based level zero programme OR
• Have NVQ level 3 in Pharmaceutical Services.
Student Support
Each student who registers on the Foundation Degree will have a personal tutor based at the University who will maintain regular contact with the student and will provide confidential help with any academic or personal problems which affect the student’s ability to complete the Programme. Each Course on the Programme is lead by a Course Co-ordinator who is a member of academic staff at the School of Pharmacy, who will also be available to help students in the event of a problem. Placements will be overseen by the Programme Leader.
Students will have access to Library facilities at the Medway campus and be able to use the on-line facilities offered by the Universities of Greenwich and Kent.
Programme fees as of September 2005
Home Fee £1,500 per academic year
Overseas Fee £5,564 per academic year
* Please be advised that all fees are subject to annual increase*
How to apply
Students will need to apply through UCAS. You can contact UCAS direct on 0870 1122211 for an application form or apply to them via the UCAS website at www.ucas.ac.uk
Contact details
For more details on the Foundation Degree in Pharmacy Practice please contact the Debby Dixon, the Admissions Manager on 01634 883405 or e-mail her at D.Dixon@greenwich.ac.uk.
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