- Search for approved training sites
- Health Education England runs a national recruitment scheme for all hospital placements and other training providers in England through the online application portal, Oriel. If you want to start your training directly after you finish your MPharm or OSPAP, you’ll need to apply to the scheme in June of the year before the one when you will finish. If you are studying an OSPAP course, this could be before your course begins.
- In Scotland, the NHS pharmacist foundation scheme is managed by NHS Education Scotland.
- In Wales, the foundation training year is manged by Health Education and Improvement Wales.
- Pharmacy trade magazines, including the Pharmaceutical Journal and Chemist and Druggist, also advertise foundation training places.
- If you need a visa to work in the United Kingdom, read the information provided by the Home Office. Please remember that we can’t provide you with advice about immigration.
During your placement as a trainee pharmacist at an approved training site, you will work under the guidance and supervision of a GPhC-approved designated supervisor.
You must demonstrate over 52 weeks that you meet all the interim learning outcomes set out in the foundation training manual.
You are responsible for finding your own training placement and designated supervisor. You must let us know the arrangements you've made by applying for entry to the foundation training scheme.
We’ll assess your application to make sure that you are eligible to start training and that the arrangements you have made are suitable, and will provide you with the opportunity to meet the interim learning outcomes.
Finding a training place
Applying to join the foundation training scheme
The majority of trainees can make their application through our online system.
To prepare for your application, you should read our guidance which gives you helpful details and support about completing your application.
To apply for the foundation training scheme, you’ll need to:
- create a myGPhC account, using your name as it appears on your university record. Make sure you match the spacing, punctuation and capital letters. You can check with your university if you’re not sure
- fill in the online application form through myGPhC, including details of where you trained and your designated supervisors
- copy a form of photo ID to upload to your online application
- organise for your prospective supervisor(s) to enter into a learning contract with you through their myGPhC account
Sandwich courses and integrated degrees
If you’re studying the Bradford sandwich course or a five-year integrated degree, please contact your university directly for information on how to apply to the pharmacist foundation training scheme.