PgDip Pharmacy - Overseas Pharmacists Assessment Programme (OSPAP)

In order to enter the Overseas Pharmacist Assessment Programme (OSPAP), you must first successfully complete the adjudication process of the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). You can visit the GPhC website and check the details of how to apply, necessary documentation and evidence required. Before you start the qualifying process, it is your responsibility to check with the Home Office whether you will be able to get the necessary visas and work permits. There are limited visa options available to international students and as such there is no guarantee that you will be able to secure the necessary visa to undertake the foundation training in the UK.

Entry requirements:

1. Applicants must have received their General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) approval letter. 
2. Applicants must normally have a pharmacy degree equivalent to a UK bachelor qualification as measured by NARIC.
3. Applicants must normally have passed the Academic IELTS test with a score of 7.0 in all components in one sitting to be eligible for adjudication. We now also accept OET with a score of B in all components in one sitting.
4. Applicants must normally have practised as a pharmacist, in a patient-facing role, equivalent to 6 months full time.
5. Students must be medically fit to undertake the Programme (including work visits) and students will therefore undergo an occupational health assessment. Students with disabilities are considered on an individual basis, all students must be potentially capable of demonstrating the competencies required by the governing body and the learning outcomes of the Programme.
6. In order to comply with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (exceptions) Order 1975, students will therefore be required to undergo enhanced clearance checks by the Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) followed by annual checks; entry onto the Programme is subject to a satisfactory self-disclosure and enhanced DBS check or equivalent for international students.
7. Students will be required to meet any requirements associated with the General Pharmaceutical Council’s Standards for Pharmacy Professionals and Student Fitness to Practise Procedures.

Applications for 2025 entry will open on Monday, 14th October 2024, at 12 noon (UK time). Should we not meet the required number of students in the first round, admissions may reopen later in the year.

Please note, only applications with valid GPhC approval at the time of submission will be considered. Applications submitted without this approval will be automatically rejected.

We like to meet our applicants before offering a place to provide you with the opportunity to ask us any questions you may have about the course or the university and to enable us to interview and learn more you about your work experiences, interest in our programme and pharmacy. As the OSPAP is a highly competitive programme, you will be expected to answer some clinical questions and perform basic pharmaceutical calculations as part of the admissions interview.

To apply you will need to have the following documents ready to be uploaded onto the university portal:

• GPhC application number
• Valid GPhC approval letter
• Copy of your current passport
• Copy of your current visa (if you have one)
• English Language Qualification
• Academic Qualifications (Certificate and Transcripts)
• Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) self-declaration form

Please note that you will have to apply through the university portal. Remember the admissions tutor will not contact you, even if you have previously expressed interest. The OSPAP is subject to statutory regulations - which means that spaces are limited, and the University is unable to exceed those numbers prescribed to us by the regulatory bodies. These are limitations beyond the University’s control, so if we reach capacity, we are not able to admit you for year that you have applied for, and you may have to reapply for entry onto the next academic year.

Next steps

Step 1: Complete your Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) self-declaration form and upload it with your paperwork.

Step 2: Apply to the university through the University portal and upload the required documents.

Step 3: Initial screening by the international admissions team to assess your eligibility to study with us.

Step 4: If initial screening successful, you will be invited to attend the admissions interview. Admission interviews are conducted via Zoom with a member of the Pharmacy Practice team. Interviews are competitive, you will be expected to answer some clinical questions and perform basic pharmaceutical calculations. There is no need to study for the interview as the questions will be related to day-to-day pharmacy practice.

Step 5:  You interview result will be communicated to you via email once the admissions interviews have been completed. The international admissions team will notify you of the result of your interview. If you are successful in the admissions interview will be offered a place to study with us. If you are unsuccessful in the admissions interview you can reapply to study with us the next academic year.

Step 6: All successful applicants will be invited to pay a deposit of £5000 to secure their place.

Step 7: All successful applicants will be required to register to ORIEL to secure a foundation training placement by June 2025. Please remember that the only was to secure a foundation training position is through ORIEL. For more information, please see the ORIEL homepage.