Steps to Apply for the OSPAP Course
1. Submit an Eligibility Application to the GPhC
Your first step is to apply for an eligibility assessment with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). This is to verify that your qualifications and experience meet UK standards.
You’ll need to submit:
- Certified copy of your pharmacy degree and academic transcripts
- You should be a registered pharmacist in you home country for proof, you need to submit the respective documents.
- English language test results (IELTS, OET, etc.)
- Certified passport and identity documents
- Two professional references (academic and employer)
- Letter of Good Standing from your pharmacy regulator
If everything goes well, you will be receiving an official letter stating that you are eligible for the OSPAP course.
2. Prove Your English Language Proficiency
As you know the UK is a english speaking country and you need to prove your fluency. For this you can sit for the following test:
- IELTS: Minimum score of 7.0 in all sections
- OET: Minimum Grade B in all components
3. Apply to Universities Offering OSPAP
Once deemed eligible by the GPhC, you can apply to GPhC-approved universities offering the OSPAP postgraduate diploma. Popular providers include:
- Aston University
- University of Hertfordshire
- University of Brighton
- University of Sunderland
4. Receive Admission and Start Your OSPAP Course
If selected, you’ll receive an offer and can begin your OSPAP course, which usually starts in September or October.
5. Complete 52 Weeks of Foundation Training
After finishing the OSPAP course, you must undergo a full year (52 weeks) of Foundation Training. This structured, hands-on internship takes place in a community or hospital pharmacy.
6. Qualify the GPhC Registration Assessment
As soon as you complete your training, the next step is to sit for the examination and it is called the GPhC Registration Assessment. You need to qualify this examination to be a registered pharmacist in the UK.
7. Register as a UK Pharmacist
Now comes the last step, after qualifying the exam, you can go for registration, and after it you are eligible to practice as a pharmacist in the UK