Your Step-by-Step Guide to Becoming a Registered Pharmacist in the UK

To become a licensed pharmacist in Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales), you must complete a rigorous five-year pathway set out by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). The route differs significantly for those who completed their pharmacy degree in the UK versus those who qualified internationally.

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Route 1: For UK-Trained Students

The standard route for UK students involves a 4-year degree followed by a 1-year paid training programme.

Complete an Accredited MPharm Degree

You must successfully complete a Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) degree.

• Duration: The MPharm is a four-year full-time university course accredited by the GPhC.
• Entry Requirements: Typically requires strong A-Level grades (AAB to BBB) in Chemistry and a second science (e.g., Biology) or Maths, plus five GCSEs (including Maths and English Language).
• Application: Applications are made through UCAS.

Complete Foundation Training

After graduation, you must complete a supervised Foundation Training Year (FTY), formerly known as pre-registration training.

• Duration: 52 weeks of supervised training at a GPhC-approved training site.
• Recruitment: Training positions are allocated through national recruitment schemes (e.g., ORIEL or statutory education bodies like NHS England).
• Assessment: Your progress is monitored through regular reviews by a designated supervisor.

Pass the GPhC Registration Assessment

Towards the end of your FTY, you must pass the final Common Registration Assessment (also known as the GPhC exam).

• Format: The computer-based assessment has two parts, testing your knowledge, understanding, and skills for safe and effective practice:
  • Part 1: Calculations (40 free-text response questions, 2 hours).
  • Part 2: Multiple-Choice Questions (120 questions, 2.5 hours) assessing safe and effective patient care.
• Passing Criteria: You must achieve the required pass mark for both Part 1 and Part 2 in the same sitting. You have three attempts.

Register with the GPhC

Once you successfully complete the FTY and pass the assessment, you apply for registration with the GPhC and receive your license to practice as a pharmacist in Great Britain.

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Route 2: For Internationally Qualified Pharmacists (Non-EEA)

If you qualified outside of the European Economic Area (EEA), you must complete the Overseas Pharmacists’ Assessment Programme (OSPAP) route.

Apply for OSPAP Eligibility

You must first apply to the GPhC for an eligibility assessment of your existing overseas qualification.

• Application: Submit the required form and fee ($\text{£}687$). The GPhC verifies that your qualification is equivalent to or better than a UK bachelor’s degree.
• English Language: You must provide evidence of English language competence. The GPhC requires a recent pass in either:
  • IELTS Academic: Overall score of 7.0, with no score less than 7.0 in any of the four sections (Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking), achieved in one sitting.
  • OET: A score of at least a B in each of the four areas, achieved in one sitting.

Complete the OSPAP Course

If the GPhC grants you eligibility, you must enroll in and successfully complete the OSPAP.

• Format: A one-year, full-time Postgraduate Diploma offered by specific UK universities (e.g., Aston, Brighton, Sunderland, Hertfordshire).
• Purpose: The course bridges the gap between your previous qualification and the UK MPharm standards, covering UK pharmacy law, ethics, and clinical practice. This is a full-time, campus-based course, not distance learning.

Apply for Foundation Training

Upon successful completion of the OSPAP, you are eligible to enter the Foundation Training Year.

• Recruitment: OSPAP graduates apply for FTY placements through the national recruitment scheme (ORIEL), often applying during the year they study the OSPAP.
• Duration: Complete the mandatory 52-week supervised training.

Pass the GPhC Registration Assessment

Similar to the UK graduate route, you must pass the Common Registration Assessment at the end of your Foundation Training Year.

Register with the GPhC

Once all requirements (OSPAP, FTY, and Registration Assessment) are met, you can apply to the GPhC to join the register and practice as a licensed pharmacist in the UK. You must complete all three stages and register within four years from the start date of your OSPAP course.