The landscape of UK pharmacy is undergoing its most significant transformation in decades. By September 2026, all newly qualified pharmacists will enter the GPhC register as Independent Prescribers (IPs). For the existing workforce, obtaining an IP qualification is no longer just a career "extra", it is becoming a fundamental requirement for the future of clinical practice. This guide below lists the UK universities that offer independent prescribing courses approved by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) for the 2026/27 academic year.
Please note: It is important to check individual university websites regularly. We do not receive live updates from these institutions, and they may change their deadlines or entry requirements without notice.
University List
Anglia Ruskin University
Application Dates (2026/27): Rolling applications; check site for 2026 dates.
Aston University
Application Dates (2026/27): Open now for 2026/27 entry.
Bangor University
Application Dates (2026/27): Sept 2026 start; applications open Jan 2026.
University of Bath
Application Dates (2026/27): Opens May 2026; Closes July 2026 for Autumn intake.
University of Birmingham
Application Dates (2026/27): Sept 2026 open now; places are first-come, first-served.
University of Bradford
Application Dates (2026/27): Sept 2026 deadline: 29 June 2026; Jan 2027 deadline: 30 Oct 2026.
University of Brighton
Application Dates (2026/27): March 2026 deadline: 11 Jan 2026; Sept 2026 opens March 2026.
Buckinghamshire New University
Application Dates (2026/27): Sept 2026 and Jan 2027 starts.
Cardiff University
Application Dates (2026/27): Sept 2026 opens March 2026; usually closes end of July.
University of Chester
Application Dates (2026/27): Sept 2026 start; open now.
Coventry University
Application Dates (2026/27): Sept 2026 start; rolling admissions.
University of Cumbria
Application Dates (2026/27): Sept 2026 opens June 2026; Jan 2027 opens Nov 2026.
De Montfort University
Application Dates (2026/27): Sept 2026 opens 20 May 2026; Closes 8 June 2026.
University of Derby
Application Dates (2026/27): Rolling admissions; check site for 2026 status.
Durham University
Application Dates (2026/27): Rolling admissions.
University of East Anglia
Application Dates (2026/27): March 2026 deadline: 20 Jan 2026.
Edge Hill University
Application Dates (2026/27): Check site for 2026 specific dates.
University of Exeter
Application Dates (2026/27): Sept 2026 entry; open now.
Greater Manchester (Bolton)
Application Dates (2026/27): Accredited through Jan 2027; check for final dates.
University of Hertfordshire
Application Dates (2026/27): Sept 2026 and Jan 2027 entry; open now.
University of Huddersfield
Application Dates (2026/27): Rolling admissions; open now.
University of Hull
Application Dates (2026/27): Re-accredited Feb 2026 – Feb 2032; check for 2026 dates.
Keele University
Application Dates (2026/27): Sept 2026 applications open 20 April 2026.
King's College London
Application Dates (2026/27): Sept 2026 deadline "coming soon"; usually opens May.
Kingston University London
Application Dates (2026/27): Check site for 2026 application windows.
University of Leeds
Application Dates (2026/27): Rolling admissions; check for 2026/27 status.
University of Leicester
Application Dates (2026/27): Sept 2026 opens May 2026; Closes Aug 2026.
University of Lincoln
Application Dates (2026/27): Under review for 2026/27; check in early 2025.
University of Liverpool
Application Dates (2026/27): Accredited for 2026/27; check site for dates.
Liverpool John Moores Uni
Application Dates (2026/27): Check site for 2026/27 intake details.
London South Bank Uni
Application Dates (2026/27): Rolling admissions.
University of Manchester
Application Dates (2026/27): Sept 2026 deadline: 4 Sept 2026; Jan 2027 deadline: 8 Jan 2027.
Medway School of Pharmacy
Application Dates (2026/27): Sept 2026 deadline: 12 June 2026; Feb 2027: 20 Nov 2026.
Newcastle University
Application Dates (2026/27): Check site for 2026 opening dates.
University of Nottingham
Application Dates (2026/27): Rolling admissions; check site for 2026 status.
University of Plymouth
Application Dates (2026/27): Rolling admissions; check for 2026/27 dates.
University of Portsmouth
Application Dates (2026/27): Direct application; no fixed deadline if space exists.
Queen's University Belfast
Application Dates (2026/27): Sept 2026 indicative deadline: 31 July 2026.
University of Reading
Application Dates (2026/27): Sept 2026 opens 18 May 2026; Closes 6 July 2026.
Robert Gordon University
Application Dates (2026/27): Sept 2026 UK student deadline: 7 Sept 2026.
University of Salford
Application Dates (2026/27): Sept 2026 applications open 1 April 2026.
Sheffield Hallam University
Application Dates (2026/27): Rolling admissions; check site for 2026 dates.
University of Sheffield
Application Dates (2026/27): Sept 2026 start; closes 6 weeks before start date.
University of South Wales
Application Dates (2026/27): Sept 2026 start; rolling admissions.
University of Strathclyde
Application Dates (2026/27): June 2026 deadline: 20 April 2026.
University of Suffolk
Application Dates (2026/27): Accredited through July 2028; check for 2026 dates.
University of Sunderland
Application Dates (2026/27): Oct 2026 start; rolling admissions.
University of Sussex
Application Dates (2026/27): Check site for 2026 application windows.
Swansea University
Application Dates (2026/27): Accredited through Aug 2027; check site for 2026 dates.
Teesside University
Application Dates (2026/27): Rolling admissions; check for 2026 status.
University of Ulster
Application Dates (2026/27): Sept 2026 deadline: 31 July 2026.
University College London
Application Dates (2026/27): Sept 2026 applications open June 2026.
UWE Bristol
Application Dates (2026/27): Sept 2026 open now; Jan 2027 opens late April 2026.
University of Winchester
Application Dates (2026/27): Sept 2026 opens May 2026.
Uni of Wolverhampton
Application Dates (2026/27): Accredited through July 2028; open now.
University of Worcester
Application Dates (2026/27): Sept 2026 start; check site for deadlines.
Wrexham University
Application Dates (2026/27): Accredited through Aug 2028; check site for dates.
Disclaimer
All information provided is for guidance only and is subject to change at any time by the GPhC or the individual universities. We accept no responsibility for errors, omissions, or university decisions. Always verify the specific details via the university's official site before applying.
