The course runs over 2 x 20 credit 13-week modules. Both modules must be successfully completed to be eligible to apply for registration as an independent and/or supplementary prescriber with your governing body.

The first module covers the theoretical underpinning for prescribing practice (including pharmacology) and is delivered over ten taught days within the university.

The second module requires the clinical application of prescribing practice. This module requires you to do 90 hours in supervised practice and complete a portfolio.

There are two forms of prescribing in the UK - Independent Prescribing and Supplementary Prescribing:

• Independent prescribing (IP) is where a practitioner is responsible and accountable for the assessment of patients with undiagnosed or diagnosed conditions and for decisions about the clinical management required, including prescribing. This form of prescribing is most similar to how doctors prescribe.
• Supplementary prescribing (SP) involves a voluntary agreement between the supplementary prescriber, an individual patient, and an independent prescriber (must be a doctor or dentist). The agreement about what can be prescribed is set out in a clinical management plan.

Regulations about what medications can be prescribed can differ between professional groups and are also dependent upon which form of prescribing is used (IP or SP). In addition, each individual prescriber may only prescribe for conditions that are within their competence, which is usually set out within an agreed scope of practice.