Study the OSPAP Course in the UK - Become a registered Pharmacist in the United Kingdom.

Introduction

Take the first step towards building your Pharmacy career in the UK by enrolling in the Overseas Pharmacists Assessment Programme (OSPAP) with the expert support of Educafic by Academically – your trusted healthcare study abroad partner. Become a registered pharmacist in the UK and unlock a world of exciting career opportunities. 

After Brexit, there is a high demand for registered pharmacists in the UK. Earlier, pharmacists from other European countries could transfer their licenses and work in the UK, but that pathway has now stopped. As a result, moving to the UK has become a great opportunity for global pharmacy professionals.

OSPAP Course: Your Gateway to Becoming a Licensed Pharmacist in the UK

The OSPAP is a post graduate diploma (PgDip) which is the primary step in the pathway to become a registered pharmacist in the UK. It is designed for pharmacists who have qualified outside the UK, including those who are from outside the EEA (European Economic Area) or EEA pharmacists whose qualifications are not recognized in the UK. 

After completing OSPAP, you must follow the next steps that are detailed below:

• Complete 1 year (52 weeks) of practical training under a GPhC-approved training provider, for example hospital, retail pharmacy, or clinical setting in the UK. 

• Pass the GPhC registration assessment exam at the end of the training.

After completing the OSPAP course and the next steps you can become a licensed pharmacist in the UK. This will help you get opportunities to work in hospitals, community pharmacies, NHS, in industry roles or pursue further specialization courses. 

Average Salary of a Pharmacist in the UK (2025)

The average salary of a pharmacist in the UK varies based factors like experience, location, and sector (NHS vs. private), but the general overview is as follows: 

NHS Banding Example:

• Band 5 (Pre-registered or junior): ~ £28,000 – £32,000

• Band 6 (Qualified): ~ £35,000 – £43,000

• Band 7 (Senior): ~ £43,000 – £50,000

Community pharmacists in big retail pharmacy chains (like Boots or Lloyds Pharmacy) usually earn between £36,000 to £45,000, depending on region and store size they work in.

Opportunities in the UK

In the United Kingdom as per estimates and industry reports there are 

• 2500+ current openings for Pharmacists

• 5% is the expected growth in employment of pharmacists

Benefits of OSPAP

Once you complete the OSPAP program and the necessary steps you can become a registered pharmacist in the UK which offers the following benefits- 

• Flexible Working Hours

• Average Salaries of 46 Lakh INR Annually

• Multiple Roles and Responsibilities

• A Less Competitive Job Market with a Shortage of Community Pharmacists in the UK

• High Purchasing Power

• Progressive Employment Packages 

• Outstanding Lifestyle and Quality of Life

OSPAP Entry Requirements – All You Need to Know

If you are an international pharmacy graduate who is planning to do the Overseas Pharmacists Assessment Programme (OSPAP) in the UK, it is important that you meet all entry requirements that are set by the GPhC (General Pharmaceutical Council). 

Here is the complete list of documents and qualifications needed to apply for the OSPAP course:

Pharmacy Degree Qualification:

A certified copy of your B.Pharm or Pharm.D degree certificate, along with a full academic transcript from a recognized institution.

ENIC Statement of Comparability:

You must obtain a UK ENIC certificate confirming that your pharmacy qualification is comparable to a UK degree.

• Standard fee: £49.50 – £70.50

• Fast-track service: £140 – £161

English Language Proficiency:

You will be required to prove your English language proficiency through one of the following tests:

• IELTS Academic: Minimum overall score of 7.0, with no less than 7.0 in each component.

• OET (Occupational English Test): Grade B or above in all four sub-tests.

Letters of Reference:

Two letters of reference from academic or professional referees, written on their official letterhead.

Identity & Academic Proofs:

• Certified copy of passport or national ID/birth certificate

• Two countersigned passport-sized photos

• Copies of all academic certificates and transcripts

Letter of Good Standing:

A document issued directly by your local pharmacy council, confirming that you are in good standing and eligible to practice pharmacy in your home country.

Step-by-Step Process To Get Registered in the UK

Step 1: Assessment of Documents

Register for the OSPAP Assessment of Documents by paying a processing fee of £739.00 (non-refundable). Submit all the required documents and wait for a positive result. 

Step 2: English Proficiency Test

Clear IELTS, PTE, OET or TOEFL to demonstrate your proficiency in English language. It is mandatory to get admission in the OSPAP program.

Step 3: Joining a University (With OSPAP)

Give interviews to the colleges/universities offering the OSPAP program. The interviews generally take place between November and February on set dates. 

Step 4: Foundation Training

Complete 52 weeks of foundation training (internship) in England, Scotland or Wales. 

Step 5: GPhC Registration Assessment

You will be required to pass the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) registration assessment to showcase your readiness to practice as a pharmacist in the UK. This will help you register as a pharmacist in the UK, so that you can begin your full-time job. 

OSPAP Course Structure

This is a full-time course and teaching for the OSPAP course takes place from Monday to Friday. You’ll learn through a wide variety of teaching and learning methods which include lectures, seminars, simulated pharmacy sessions and clinical skills, as well as simulations in the University’s mock hospital wards. Teaching will also include opportunities to collaborate with students from other healthcare disciplines (such as medicine, nursing, and occupational therapy) in an interprofessional learning capacity.

You will undertake placements throughout the course, as well as on-campus learning. You will experience placements in hospital pharmacies, in the community, at GP surgeries and in primary and secondary care. Your placements are an excellent way to discover what kind of pharmacist you want to be and where you want your career path to take you.

How can Educafic by Academically Help You:

At educafic by Academically we can help you on your quest to become a registered pharmacist in the UK by providing: 

• Support in Document Evaluation and submission

• University application

• Visa support

• Pre-arrival preparation 

• English Proficiency Test Preparation (IELTS/OET) 

• Complete Support in the Enrollment Process

• Webinars and Live Sessions With Industry Mentors

• Guidance From Experts Working in the UK

• Becoming part of a Community of Qualified Professionals

Pro Tip:

Gathering and verifying all the documents you require early will help streamline your OSPAP application process.

Want to apply for OSPAP?

If you want to apply for OSPAP and are unsure about any step, our expert advisors can help you. Fill out our quick form to connect with a study abroad specialist today and take your first step towards becoming a UK-registered pharmacist!