Diploma of Higher Education in Advanced Pharmacy Technician Practice (Accelerated)
Key Details
- Attendance
- Part-time (Remote)
- Course Length
- 2 Years (4 years in total with Accreditation/Recognition of Prior Learning for Years 1 & 2)
- Start Date
- 26th January 2026, with an induction day on the 28th January.
- Application Deadline
- 8th December 2025. RPL/APL Portfolio Deadline 2nd January 2026
- Credit Value
- Total 240 credits (120 of which Recognised by Prior Learning)
- Cost
- £1,950 per year
- Further Information
- pt.dip@uea.ac.uk
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Introduction
This January-entry offers entrance into the final two years of the Diploma of Higher Education in Advanced Pharmacy Technician Practice (DipHE).
Please note that this entry point is only available to candidates who have previously completed a recognised level 4 pharmacy technician qualification and is subject to a satisfactory portfolio submission on application.
This pathway is ideal for experienced pharmacy technicians with previous level 4 pharmacy technician qualifications who are looking to upskill, expand their clinical knowledge and progress into enhanced or advanced roles across all sectors of pharmacy practice.
With the continued evolution of healthcare and the advent of pharmacist prescribers, there are more opportunities for pharmacy technicians to support in more advanced roles. The programme which was developed with stakeholders from across pharmacy is aimed at pharmacy technicians working in a clinical environment who wish to develop their knowledge and practice and prepare for these enhanced and advanced roles.
- Level 5 qualification – undertake the final 120 credits of the diploma over two years.
- Flexible delivery for all sectors – learn in (and from) your own workplace with support from expert academics and practicing pharmacists.
- Research‑ready – gain the methodological grounding and supervision needed to carry out a clinically relevant research project that enhances your practice.
- Career impact – prepare for advanced and pioneering roles across all settings
Take the next step in your professional journey - join our January cohort and graduate ready to lead, innovate and deliver advanced pharmacy technician services across the NHS and beyond.
Study and Modules
Our Advanced Entry route lets experienced technicians join Year 3 of the established four‑year DipHE, completing the final two years only. This focused pathway is ideal if you already hold 120 credits (or equivalent) at Levels 4 and 5 and wish to build on that foundation.
Year 3
Structure
Year 3 will begin teaching at a higher level (level 5) – enabling learners to build upon existing knowledge and being able to make judgements around patient care using information they have analysed and evaluated. The learning will take a patient centred approach, encouraging learners to take an individualised approach to care. This will support learners to provide more clinical support within the workplace and allow patients to receive the best quality care from all professions.
Research skills will be introduced- providing learners with skills to be able to undertake effective literature searches and reviews. The aim of this module is to prepare students for the fourth year research project- providing an understanding of the types or research and skills required, while supporting the creation of a project proposal.
Modules
Module 5 - Clinical Therapeutics 3
Credit: 40 Level: 5
This module will focus on further different sections of clinical therapeutics- gastrointestinal conditions, infections, genitourinary health (including contraception and HRT), musculoskeletal conditions and pain management.
The module will build upon learners current understanding of the body systems involved in the above conditions, and review the diagnosis and management of conditions relating to these. The module will encourage learners to compare of treatments and consider the appropriateness of treatment regimes for individual patients. Learners will be encouraged to reflect upon factors that may affect patient adherence and consideration on how patients can be supported in order to improve outcomes.
The ongoing monitoring of patient blood levels will be covered, providing learners with the ability to interpret various blood tests- including drug levels- and recommend appropriate alterations to treatment as necessary.
The learning will also look at the various support that there is available for patients, considering patient support groups as well as workplace and living support depending upon the condition.
Module 6 - Introduction to Research Skills
Credit: 20 Level: 5
This module is a designed to introduce research skills for pharmacy technicians. This will likely be a new concept to many of the learners and the module will provide an understanding of the importance of good quality research in healthcare and education.
Learners will be introduced to the key concepts, language, stages and perspectives of research. Learners will be taught how to effectively undertake a literature search and review the material gathered.
Learners will have an introduction to research methodology, learning how and why a specific methodology is chosen and being trained in the ways to present and analyse data within research.
Learners will also learn the ethical, legal and governance issues that apply to research. Ethical applications will be discussed and support provided around how to apply for these.
Assessment for this module will include the submission of a project proposal which will be a major part of the final year of the course. This could be an extensive audit or service evaluation within the workplace. It may also be a research type project reviewing local practices. Alternative projects could be proposed subject to approval from the teaching team.
Year 4
Structure
The final year of the course will consist of one smaller therapeutics module taking place alongside a year long project- the proposal for which the learner will have submitted as part of the year 3 assessment.
The clinical therapeutics module will continue at level 5; enabling learners to build upon existing knowledge and being able to make judgements around patient care using information they have analysed and evaluated. The learning will take a patient centred approach, encouraging learners to take an individualised approach to care. This will support learners to provide more clinical support within the workplace and allow patients to receive the best quality care from all professions.
The Research project will encourage learners to independently undertake research and put their learning of research skills from year 3 into practice. This will provide pharmacy technicians with the opportunity to present research and have a platform to build upon for future research.
Modules
Module 7 - Clinical Therapeutics 4
Credit: 20 Level: 5
This module will provide learners with the knowledge and skills to support patients with a variety of mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions.
The pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia will be discussed. The module will teach and encourage learners to focus on the holistic approach to patients with mental health conditions, considering the role of other professionals and support systems in place. The link between mental health conditions and substance misuse and harmful behaviours will be explored with learners gaining the knowledge to discuss how the healthcare team can support patients affected.
Though not necessarily mental health conditions, learning difficulties and neurodevelopmental disorders can often be factors in much of the above. This module will encourage learners to consider the impact that these may have upon patient adherence and understanding of instructions and discuss how individual patients can be supported in their medicines management. Where necessary (e.g., for ADHD) treatment will also be reviewed.
Module 8 - Research project
Credit: 40 Level: 5
The aim of this module is for learners to use the teaching on patient safety and put it into practice by reviewing workplace processes and suggesting/implementing quality improvements that they feel are appropriate.
Projects are submitted in the ‘introduction to research skills’ module- this may be based on an extensive audit, service evaluation, research, or further options as agreed by the teaching team.
Teaching in the module will support the learners in completing the project write up and presentation effectively. Learning will refresh student knowledge of clinical governance and information governance- ensuring that learners are able to implement this effectively in the project .
Other learning will be based around presentation skills and report writing, as well as building upon learning around data analysis taught in the ‘introduction to research skills’ module.
As the project may involve the implementation of new working procedures, learners will be taught how to manage a project as well as manage change in practice. Learning will be assessed through the submission of a project report and presentation online.
Teaching, Learning and Assessment
Teaching and Learning
The programme recognises that learners will be employed and therefore offers a flexible, blended approach to learning and delivery through distance learning (online) and virtual study days (minimum of two study days per module), online presentations, independent research.
There will be the expectation of at least 7-8 hours study time per week outside of working hours, while some learning and assessment will also be undertaken within the workplace.
Assessment
Each assessment will require a minimum pass to progress. Support will be available through advisors and ‘formative’ assessment of each type of coursework to provide feedback before final submission for ‘summative’ assessment.
Clinical therapeutics modules will be assessed through submission of work based case reports as well as completion of case studies based on specialist patients presented by the course team.
Within the research skills portion of the course assessment will involve the appraisal of a provided research article, research proposal and research project report/presentation.
Entry Requirements
To be eligible for direct entry into Years 3 and 4 of the UEA Diploma of Higher Education in Advanced Pharmacy Technician Practice (DipHE), applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Professional Registration and Setting
Applicants must be UK-registered pharmacy technicians with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and currently working in a sector or setting where all programme requirements can be met in practice.
- Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Applicants must demonstrate recognised prior learning equivalent to 120 academic credits at Level 4. This will be evidenced through formal qualifications alongside a development portfolio, which will be reviewed as part of the admissions process. More information relating to the portfolio will be sent to you on completion of the course application.
- Managerial Recommendation
A recommendation is required from the applicant’s Senior or Line Manager (or a designated deputy) supporting their suitability for the programme.
- Employer Responsibilities
The Senior/Line Manager must:
- Confirm that this extension to the learner’s role is covered by the vicarious liability of the employing organisation
- Ensure that local Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) related to all aspects of the role are in place, up to date, and that the learner works competently within them
- Allocate appropriate support for the learner to complete the programme within the two-year timeframe
- Educational Supervision
Learners must be assigned an Educational Supervisor who meets the following criteria:
- An experienced registered healthcare professional who is experienced in the modules they will be supervising
- Have experience of mentoring, training and facilitating staff.
- Be able to meet regularly with the candidate to discuss progress and give feedback on their practice development.
- Workplace Induction
Learners must have completed a local induction into the area in which they will be working and be familiar with the relevant SOPs for that setting.
How to Apply
To Apply for this course please enter the application portal via Professional Development and select School of Pharmacy.
Following application you will be contacted by our admissions team to submit your portfolio of prior learning.
Employability
Applicants should be actively employed before commencing the course due to the nature of the learning. On completion, the programme opens up career prospects and new emerging opportunities in advanced pharmacy practice roles developing knowledge and skills to a higher level. Opportunities to take part in research/evaluations will increase/open up by completing the DipHE Introduction to research module and research project which could contribute to expanding the evidence base for pharmacy technician roles in person centred care and supporting pharmacy services generally. Completion of the course will support opportunities to undertake further learning within Higher Education. The transferable skills gained may also lead to opportunities to work in other advanced roles within the wider healthcare system.
