Experiential learning for student pharmacists in Scotland
Scottish pharmacy experiential learning is funded by the Scottish Government and organised in partnership between Robert Gordon University, the University of Strathclyde, PSD Scotland and other pharmacy stakeholders.
NES Pharmacy supports experiential learning (EL) in Scotland by managing the financial governance of ACTp funding and providing Quality Management of EL, through training of facilitators and approval of training sites, on behalf of the universities.
Experiential Learning
The EL Activity Calendar 26-27 details all EL activity planned for 2026-27.
The Master of Pharmacy EL Placement Handbook 2026 - 27 is the definitive guide for facilitators supporting MPharm student pharmacists from Robert Gordon University and the University of Strathclyde. It outlines placement arrangements, facilitator responsibilities, student expectations, feedback and attendance requirements, and the support available throughout placement.
National Coordination of Experiential Learning 2026/27
The initial nomination period is closed. If you are a new training provider looking to get involved in experiential learning placements for the 2026–27 academic year, please contact nes.elpharmacy@nhs.scot
Training providers and facilitators of experiential learning
Funding, called ‘Additional Cost of Teaching (ACT) fees’ are available to training providers who are facilitating student pharmacists’ experiential learning as part of the MPharm curriculum throughout an academic year.
To be eligible to receive an ACT contribution, the pharmacist facilitating EL (Facilitator) needs to have committed to undertaking Preparation for Facilitating Experiential Learning Training (PFEL). This is a training and preparation package and a PFEL fee is payable per Facilitator. The training will cover a variety of topics including:
- What is involved in EL and what do you need to do in your role as Facilitator?
- What do the Universities expect from you as a Facilitator of EL?
- Coaching and Mentoring
- Giving Feedback
Further information, useful resources and available PFEL dates can be found on our Turas Learn page.
Training providers
Every experiential learning provider needs to sign an Educational Agreement /Service Level Agreement to participate in experiential learning. Organisations will be contacted by PSD Scotland and asked to review and sign an agreement if there is not one already in place.
Experiential learning principles for training providers are available. The aim is that every student pharmacist will receive equitable high-quality learning opportunities and support in every experiential learning provider across Scotland.
These principles form the basis of the PSD Scotland Initial Education and Training quality management process for training providers. This include site approval for training sites who will be hosting student pharmacists on experiential learning.
Feedback requirements
All student pharmacists who undertake EL should be provided with regular verbal feedback throughout their EL placement. The EL facilitator should have regular conversations with the student pharmacist, encouraging them to reflect and learn from their experiences and to identify areas for development. We ask that EL facilitators provide clear, fair and honest feedback and ensure that the student pharmacist is at the centre of this and has the opportunity to input and ask questions.
In addition to regular feedback conversations, all student pharmacists must receive written feedback in the format outlined by the relevant university. It is essential that this is provided, as it is required for student pharmacist assessment by the university.
ROBERT GORDON UNIVERSITY
Feedback for Robert Gordon University Student Pharmacists from 2026-27:
Student pharmacists are required to reflect on the feedback they receive as part of the assessment requirements linked to EL placements. The feedback requirements for academic session 2026-27 are as follows:
| STAGE (RGU) or YEAR (UoS) OF STUDY | FEEDBACK REQUIREMENTS (BY THE END OF EACH EL PLACEMENT) 2026-27 |
| RGU STAGE 1 |
Daily signed attendance recordy ONE EL facilitator individual feedback form on Turas |
| RGU STAGE 2 |
Daily signed attendance recordy ONE EL facilitator individual feedback form on Turas |
| RGU STAGE 3 |
Daily signed attendance recordy TWO mini-CEX on Turas ONE EL facilitator individual feedback form on Turas |
| RGU STAGE 4 |
Daily signed attendance recordy TWO mini-CEX on Turas ONE CBD on Turas ONE EL facilitator individual feedback form on Turas |
For more detail and completed examples please review the Appendix IV: RGU Guidance on Completing Experiential Learning Feedback within the Master of Pharmacy EL Placement Handbook 2026-2027.
UNIVERSITY OF STRATHCLYDE
Feedback for University of Strathclyde Student Pharmacists from 2026-27:
What we ask you to complete
Year 3, 4 and 5 attend two EL blocks a year, and Year 2 attends one. Unless the table says otherwise, each item is needed once per block.
| YEAR | YOU COMPLETE ON TURAS | STUDENT COMPLETES ON MYPLACE |
| Year 2 | Facilitator feedback form |
Self-assessment Attendance record |
| Year 3 | Facilitator feedback form |
Self-assessment Attendance record |
| Year 4 |
Facilitator feedback form Mini-CEX |
Self-assessment Attendance record Patient feedback (once in the year) Peer feedback (once in the year) |
| Year 5 |
Facilitator feedback form Mini-CEX Case-Based Discussion (CBD) |
Self-assessment Attendance record Patient feedback (once in the year) Peer feedback (once in the year) |
For more detail and completed examples please review the UoS feedback guidance for facilitators.
Please use this final day checklist to ensure all necessary components are completed.
EL facilitators or other collaborators can learn more about Supervised Learning Events, including mini-CEX and Case Based Discussion, on the Supervised Learning Events (SLEs) | Turas | Learn (nhs.scot).
Please note that the university EL teams are always on hand if you would like support or have any concerns. Any concerns should be raised immediately with the relevant contact listed in the ‘University EL Teams’ section below.
Useful Resources for EL Facilitators:
Preparation for EL
EL facilitator timeline Semester 1:This timeline supports facilitators involved in Semester 1 experiential learning placements. It outlines key University of Strathclyde and Robert Gordon University activities, placement dates, facilitator development opportunities, and actions required before, during, and after placements. Designed as a practical reference guide, it helps facilitators plan, complete required feedback, and access relevant support throughout the year. Regular review is recommended to stay up to date with upcoming activities and deadlines.
Master of Pharmacy EL Placement Handbook 2026 - 27: All student pharmacists and EL facilitators should read this to support planning and for awareness of the responsibilities of the student pharmacist, EL facilitator and University EL teams.
Pre-EL communication form: For the EL facilitator and student pharmacist to share relevant information with each other in the initial stages of planning.
EL Framework documents: Support student pharmacists and EL facilitators to plan appropriate learning activities throughout experiential learning (EL). They outline tasks suitable for different year groups and provide suggestions to involve the pharmacy team and wider MDT for support and supervision. They include suggested supervised learning events (SLEs), supporting completion of mandatory SLEs requirements for student pharmacists.
Community Pharmacy EL Framework
Hospital Pharmacy EL Framework
During EL: Feedback guidance
UoS experiential learning feedback guidance: This details the 2026-27 feedback requirements for each year group. This guidance also contains tips for providing effective feedback and examples of completed individual feedback, mini-CEX and CBD forms.
Appendix IV: RGU Guidance on Completing Experiential Learning Feedback within the Master of Pharmacy EL Placement Handbook 2026 - 27. This details the 2026-27 feedback requirements for each year group. This guidance also contains tips for providing effective feedback and examples of completed individual feedback, mini-CEX and CBD forms.
Supervised Learning Events page on Turas Learn: This has more information about conducting SLEs and will be helpful for EL facilitators and other collaborators who are new to using these.
Student pharmacist guide to using Turas Training Portfolio: How to access and send requests for feedback and SLEs
EL facilitators guide to documenting individual feedback and SLEs on Turas Training Portfolio: A ‘how to’ guide for EL facilitators and other collaborators providing written feedback and completing SLEs with student pharmacists on Turas Training Portfolio.
End of EL Placement: Mandatory paperwork
UoS Final day checklist for student pharmacists and EL facilitators: This checklist can be used by student pharmacists and EL facilitators as a reminder of required actions throughout the EL placement.
Appendix VI: Experiential Learning Placement Attendance Record within the Master of Pharmacy EL Placement Handbook 2026 - 27: This must be completed and signed by the student pharmacist and facilitator at the end of placement.
Student feedback on EL experience: This document shows the feedback that is requested from student pharmacists at the end of each EL experience.
Other useful resources:
Cultural Humility module on Turas learn: For EL facilitator development, raise awareness of equality, diversity and inclusion experiences and to develop yourself as an ally.
Leading to change Allyship Hub
Resources for existing Experiential Learning (EL) facilitators
University EL Teams
If you would like support or have any concerns or issues (including student pharmacist absence) during experiential learning please contact the relevant university, contact details below.
Robert Gordon University Professional Experiences Team
The RGU Professional Experiences team can be contacted as per the communication pathway detailed below. The switchboard number for the team is 01224 262990 and the email address is PharmExpLearning@rgu.ac.uk. If urgent support is required (e.g. contact with emergency services) it is important that this is prioritised, however, the EL facilitator must ensure that the Professional Experiences team is informed as soon as is practicable.
MPharm Experiential Learning (EL) Placement Communication Pathway
This pathway is for use by EL placement facilitators, University staff and student pharmacists. The purpose of the pathway is to provide you with clear instructions on who you should contact about any matters related to RGU EL placements.
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A matter related to any EL placement |
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Contact relevant Regional Tutor (details below) Office hours are Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm. If you need to contact us outside of this time, please email the Regional Tutor in the first instance. Please only call if the matter is URGENT. |
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If URGENT and the relevant Regional Tutor is unavailable, please contact another Regional Tutor from the list below. Alternatively, email PharmExpLearning@rgu.ac.uk |
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You may be asked to follow up initial communication with an email to your Regional Tutor detailing relevant information. |
| Key Contact Details | ||
| Name | Role | Phone/Email |
| Craig McDonald | MPharm Placement Officer |
01224 262990 (Option 1) |
| Katie Earle-Payne |
Regional Tutor: Grampian, Highland, Islands, Tayside, Lothian, Fife, Borders |
01224 262990 (Option 2) |
| Aly Brown |
Regional Tutor: Lanarkshire, Greater Glasgow & Clyde, Ayrshire & Arran, |
07966 284238 01224 262990 (Option 2) |
| Nicky Spalding | MPharm Placement Administrator |
01224 262990 (Option 3) |
After contact is made using the Communication Pathway, a member of the Professional Experiences Team may wish to explore this with you to determine whether any further action is required. All communications will be recorded and where necessary, a written report will be submitted to the MPharm Placement Officer. Information may be shared with the MPharm Course Leader and relevant members of the MPharm course team to ensure that appropriate support is provided.
Out of Hours Support
If a student pharmacist should require emotional or wellbeing support out of hours, they can access RGU’s 24/7 Student Support by calling 0800 031 8227 (UK Freephone). Details of external support services can be found at Counselling & Wellbeing | Support & Advice Services | RGU.
Emergency Situations
In an emergency (i.e. if you believe that you or someone else is at immediate risk of harm), you should call 999 immediately. If the person needs medical advice but the situation is not an emergency, they can visit https://www.nhsinform.scot/ or call NHS24 on 111.
Report and Support
Student pharmacists can report incidents of Gender Based Violence, Hate Crime, Harassment or Bullying to us at RGU or can find information about how to get support at Report and Support. If you need urgent advice or support relating to gender based violence or hate crime, please visit SARCS and/or Police Scotland, or GP if you need medical assistance, and Police Scotland for help after a hate crime.
Routine requests for guidance and support
If a student pharmacist requires advice from the RGU Student Life team that is not urgent, they can visit Ask RGU (ask.rgu.ac.uk) to view frequently asked questions, log an enquiry, or book an appointment. You can find out more about the University’s support and advice services by visiting www.rgu.ac.uk/support.
University of Strathclyde EL Team
Use this pathway to find out who to contact about anything to do with a University of Strathclyde MPharm Experiential Learning (EL) placement.
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A matter related to any EL placement |
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Email the EL team sipbs-experiential-learning@strath.ac.uk This shared inbox is checked by all three members of the team, so it is the quickest way to reach us. Outside office hours, please email and we will reply on the next working day. |
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If the matter is URGENT, phone an EL Co-ordinator Paul Kearns: 0141 548 3428 or 07758 111322 Morven McDonald: 0141 548 3428 or 07983298449 Please only phone if the matter is urgent. |
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If no one answers, phone the EL Administrator Phil Brown: 0141 548 3475 Or leave a voicemail and also email the team inbox, marking the subject line URGENT. |
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Follow up in writing You may be asked to send an email to the team inbox afterwards, setting out the details of the matter. |
Key EL contacts
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NAME |
ROLE |
PHONE / EMAIL |
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Paul Kearns |
MPharm EL Co-ordinator |
0141 548 3428 07758 111322 (mobile) |
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Morven McDonald |
MPharm EL Co-ordinator |
0141 548 3428 07983298449 (mobile) |
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Phil Brown |
MPharm EL Administrator |
0141 548 3475 |
After you contact us, a member of the EL team may want to talk the matter through with you to decide whether anything further needs to be done. We keep a record of all communications and, where needed, a written summary. Information may be shared with the MPharm programme team and other University staff where appropriate.
SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS
Emergency support, including 24/7 mental health and wellbeing support through Spectrum Life, is available to you at all times, including while you are on placement and when the University is closed.
Spectrum Life
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What it is |
Free, confidential 24/7 mental health support by phone or through an online platform |
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Phone (UK) |
0800 031 8227 |
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Phone (overseas) |
+353 1 518 0277 |
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More information |
See the University Wellbeing page |
In an emergency in the UK
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Police, ambulance, fire |
999 |
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NHS 24 |
111, for urgent medical or mental health support |
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Campus Security |
0141 548 2222 |
If you need to talk to someone
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Samaritans |
Free, confidential support for anyone struggling, including anyone having suicidal thoughts. Available any time. Phone 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org |
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Shout |
Free, confidential 24/7 text support for anyone who is struggling to cope. Text SHOUT to 85258 |
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Breathing Space |
Confidential phoneline for anyone in Scotland over 16 who is feeling low, anxious or depressed. Phone 0800 83 85 87 (all weekend, and Monday to Friday 6pm–2am) |
NON-URGENT CONCERNS
For concerns that are not urgent, you can use Report & Support online Report & support | University of Strathclyde. Reports are not monitored while the University is closed, for example during holiday breaks. They will be reviewed when the University reopens.
For anything about your placement, contact the EL team using the pathway on page 1.
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PSD Scotland key EL contact |
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PSD Scotland EL Team |
Enquiry will be routed to appropriate person |
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If you have any questions, please email nes.elpharmacy@nhs.scot