Harper Adams University College/RPSGB
Veterinary Pharmacy Education Programmes

KEY FACTS
Commences: January 2011
Final award: MSc

Intermediate awards: University College Diploma, Postgraduate Diploma
Duration: Part-time study, varying length
Further information & entry requirements: Please see www.vpep.net

Application: Please email cwhitehouse@harper-adams.ac.uk

What are these Programmes and who are they aimed at?

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society and Harper Adams University College (HAUC) have joined together to produce a selection of innovative veterinary pharmacy programmes designed to attract individuals involved with the provision of animal health. These may include, Pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians, Pharmacy Support Staff, Veterinary Nurses or University Lecturers. The course is highly flexible offering the following professional and HAUC accredited awards:

• Professional Certificate in Companion Animal & Equine Health Care
• Professional Certificate in Large Animal Health Care
• HAUC University College Diploma in Veterinary Pharmacy (UCDip)
• HAUC Postgraduate Diploma in Veterinary Pharmacy (PgD)
• HAUC Masters in Veterinary Pharmacy (MSc)

The diagram below demonstrates which HAUC accredited modules make up each of the awards.

What else could I gain from studying these programmes?

In addition to achieving an academic or professional award, those who complete the following combination(s) of Level 5 Modules and complete
a Viva Voce will also be eligible for SQP registration with AMTRA:

What is the duration & mode of study for these programmes?
These programmes are all offered through a blended learning approach, where most of the study time will be at a distance and independent. As discussed all programmes are broken down into Modules to assist this mode of learning.  The modules offered do run through a set timetable each year, and students are encouraged to follow this as closely as possible so that study days & residential slots can be fully utilised. However, we do understand the extra commitment involved, so some modules will run parallel and be repeated to allow maximum flexibility. The normal timetable would be as follows:

Therefore, if taken in order of the timetable you can expect the following duration for each programme

• Professional Certificate in Companion Animal & Equine Health Care – 6 month duration
• Professional Certificate in Large Animal Health Care – 6 month duration
• HAUC University College Diploma in Veterinary Pharmacy (UCDip) – 12 month duration
• HAUC Postgraduate Diploma in Veterinary Pharmacy (PgD) – 24 month duration
• HAUC Masters in Veterinary Pharmacy (MSc) – 6 month duration
  

In terms of time commitment, this would depend on your chosen route and your target date for completion, however, as a guide each module does represent a notional learning time of between 100-300 hours. This is achieved through direct contact (e.g. the study periods in January and July) and independent study (including assignment preparation). Please note that this notional learning time will include a representation of previous experience.


What are the Entry Requirements?

The programmes are offered at different levels of study, therefore for each HAUC award there is a different entry requirement. They are:

UCDip Veterinary Pharmacy
Candidates should have at least five GCSEs at grade C or above or equivalent. These should normally include English, Mathematics and a Science or their equivalent. Candidates should also be able to provide evidence of a sufficient standard of core educational skills to benefit from, and succeed in higher education and substantial industrial and professional experience and responsibility or an NVQ at Level FE2, 3 or 4 as appropriate.

For candidates with no higher education qualifications, such experiences should normally be of 5 years of more.

PgD/MSc Veterinary Pharmacy
For admission to the University College PgD / MSc Veterinary Pharmacy, candidates would be expected to have obtained a minimum of an upper second class degree in either Pharmacy or a related animal science subject.

Applications may also be considered from candidates with a lower second class honours degree, Foundation Degree or good HND (together with related industrial or professional experience of at least two years) or a Graduate Diploma/Graduate Certificate or equivalent. For all applicants, evidence of previous qualifications is required. However, all are judged on their individual merits.  Non-graduates with significant work experience are also invited to apply.  Where a candidate’s honours degree (or equivalent) was not assessed in English, their English language skills will, typically, be evaluated by interview and/or through demonstration of IELTS scores of 6.5 or above (or equivalent).

What are the course fees & associated costs?

The course fees are listed below for the 2011 intake and include teaching, learning & assessment (TLA). Lunches, refreshments & any overnight accommodation are not included and charged separately.

The Professional Certificate and Diploma is still currently recognised by the RPSGB, however if you would like to gain a Higher Education(HE) accreditation in recognition of your previous studies, you will have the option to top-up/convert your professional achievement to a HE recognised qualification. In order to do this, you would have to show evidence of your prior learning & also successfully complete any remaining modules. Detailed below is a list of the current programmes available, fees, and availability dates.

w/c 18^th July 2011 (approx 7 days) – Study period at Harper Adams University College(HAUC), Shropshire covering modules – Animals & Public Health, Veterinary Medicines & Wound Care and Farm Animal Health Care.

Summative Assessment:
23^rd February 2011 - Animals & Public Health - Submit Coursework
30^th March 2011 - Veterinary Medicines & Wound Care - Submit Coursework
27^th April 2011 - Equine Health Care - Submit Coursework
25^th May 2011 - Animals & Public Health, Equine Health Care & Companion Animal Health Care - Submit Workbooks
27^th June 2011 – Veterinary Medicines & Wound Care, Equine Health Care & Companion Animal Health Care - Written Exam & PEP Viva Voce @ HAUC
31^st August 2011 – Animals & Public Health - Submit Coursework
28^th September 2011 – Veterinary Medicines & Wound Care - Submit Coursework
26^th October 2011 - Farm Animal Health Care - Submit Coursework
30^th November 2011 – Farm Animal Health Care & Veterinary Medicines & Wound Care – Submit Workbooks
19^th December 2011 – Farm Animal Health Care & Veterinary Medicines & Wound Care – Written Exam & PEP Viva Voce @HAUC
January 2012 - overall results



4. Postgraduate Diploma in Veterinary Pharmacy

Face-to-Face Sessions:
w/c 17^th January 2011 (approx. 3 days) - Study period at Harper Adams University College(HAUC), Shropshire covering modules - Animals & Public Health, Veterinary Medicines & Wound Care, Companion Animal Health Care and Equine Health Care.
w/c 18^th July 2011 (approx 7 days) – Study period at Harper Adams University College(HAUC), Shropshire covering modules – Animals & Public Health, Veterinary Medicines & Wound Care and Farm Animal Health Care.
w/c 16^th January 2012 (approx. 3 days) - Study day at Harper Adams University College(HAUC), Shropshire covering modules - Animals & Public Health, Companion Animal Health Care, and Equine Health Care.(if required – non compulsory)
w/c 16^th – 20^th July 2012 (approx 7 days)- Residential at Harper Adams University College(HAUC), Shropshire covering modules – Veterinary Medicines & Wound Care and Farm Animal Health Care. (if required – non compulsory)

Formative Assessment (year 1):
23^rd February 2011 - Animals & Public Health - Submit Coursework
30^th March 2011 - Veterinary Medicines & Wound Care - Submit Coursework
27^th April 2011 - Equine Health Care - Submit Coursework
25^th May 2011 - Animals & Public Health, Equine Health Care & Companion Animal Health Care - Submit Workbooks
27^th June 2011 – Veterinary Medicines & Wound Care, Equine Health Care & Companion Animal Health Care - Written Exam & PEP Viva Voce @ HAUC
31^st August 2011 – Animals & Public Health - Submit Coursework
28^th September 2011 – Veterinary Medicines & Wound Care - Submit Coursework
26^th October 2011 - Farm Animal Health Care - Submit Coursework
30^th November 2011 – Farm Animal Health Care & Veterinary Medicines & Wound Care – Submit Workbooks
19^th December 2011 – Farm Animal Health Care & Veterinary Medicines & Wound Care – Written Exam & PEP Viva Voce @HAUC

Summative Assessment (year 2):TBC

January 2013 - overall results



5. Masters in Veterinary Pharmacy

Face-to-Face Sessions:
w/c 17^th January 2011 (approx. 3 days) - Study period at Harper Adams University College(HAUC), Shropshire covering modules - Animals & Public Health, Veterinary Medicines & Wound Care, Companion Animal Health Care and Equine Health Care.
w/c 18^th July 2011 (approx 7 days) – Study period at Harper Adams University College(HAUC), Shropshire covering modules – Animals & Public Health, Veterinary Medicines & Wound Care and Farm Animal Health Care.
w/c 16^th January 2012 (approx. 3 days) - Study day at Harper Adams University College(HAUC), Shropshire covering modules - Animals & Public Health, Companion Animal Health Care, and Equine Health Care.(if required – non compulsory)
w/c 16^th – 20^th July 2012 (approx 7 days)- Residential at Harper Adams University College(HAUC), Shropshire covering modules – Veterinary Medicines & Wound Care and Farm Animal Health Care. (if required – non compulsory)

Formative Assessment (year 1):
23^rd February 2011 - Animals & Public Health - Submit Coursework
30^th March 2011 - Veterinary Medicines & Wound Care - Submit Coursework
27^th April 2011 - Equine Health Care - Submit Coursework
25^th May 2011 - Animals & Public Health, Equine Health Care & Companion Animal Health Care - Submit Workbooks
27^th June 2011 – Veterinary Medicines & Wound Care, Equine Health Care & Companion Animal Health Care - Written Exam & PEP Viva Voce @ HAUC
31^st August 2011 – Animals & Public Health - Submit Coursework
28^th September 2011 – Veterinary Medicines & Wound Care - Submit Coursework
26^th October 2011 - Farm Animal Health Care - Submit Coursework
30^th November 2011 – Farm Animal Health Care & Veterinary Medicines & Wound Care – Submit Workbooks
19^th December 2011 – Farm Animal Health Care & Veterinary Medicines & Wound Care – Written Exam & PEP Viva Voce @HAUC

Summative Assessment (year 2):TBC

Summative Assessment (year 3):TBC

January 2014 - overall results