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A day in the life
- Check and supply prescriptions
- Advise patients on medicines and minor illnesses
- Review medication for safety
- Work with GPs and hospital teams
- Supervise pharmacy staff
Your career roadmap
Every milestone from school to senior. Track progress as you complete each stage.
- 1Usually 2 years; resit courses may be shorter
GCSEs
educationStudy GCSEs, particularly English, maths and sciences, to prepare for the qualifications needed for pharmacy degree entry.
- 2Usually 2 years; Access courses often 1 year
A Levels or equivalent
educationComplete A levels or accepted equivalent qualifications, usually including chemistry and another science or maths, depending on the university.
- 3Usually 4 years full-time; extended routes take longer
MPharm Pharmacy degree
qualificationComplete a GPhC-accredited MPharm covering medicines, clinical care, pharmacy law and supervised practical learning.
- 452 weeks full-time; longer if part-time
Foundation training
experienceUndertake 52 weeks of paid, supervised foundation pharmacist training, developing competence in medicines supply, patient care and prescribing.
- 5At the end of foundation training; not an additional year
Foundation training completion
experienceComplete training records, demonstrate required learning outcomes and obtain your supervisor’s final declaration of satisfactory completion.
- 6Preparation usually overlaps with foundation training
Common Registration Assessment
qualificationPrepare for and pass the common registration assessment, testing pharmaceutical calculations and the application of clinical and professional knowledge.
- 7Processing times vary
GPhC registration
certificationApply to join the GPhC register after meeting qualification, training, assessment and other registration requirements.
- 8Ongoing
Pharmacist
roleWork as a registered pharmacist, advising patients, reviewing medicines and ensuring safe supply and use within your competence.
Skills you'll build
- GPhC-accredited MPharm degree
- Foundation training
- GPhC registration assessment
- GPhC registration
- Independent prescribing (later career)