Approval of courses

The GPhC accredits and recognises pharmacy courses leading to registration and annotation.

These are:

• Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) degrees leading to pre-registration and then pharmacist registration
• Overseas Pharmacists' Assessment Programmes (OSPAPs) leading to pre-registration and then pharmacist registration
• Prescribing courses leading to pharmacist annotation
• Competency- and knowledge-based qualifications leading to pharmacy technician registration.

The GPhC also accredits pharmacy, dispensing and medicines counter assistants courses that permit personnel in pharmacies to undertake a range of activities for the safe supply of medicines to patients and the public.

These are:

• Dispensing or pharmacy assistants level 2 courses
• Medicines counter assistant courses.

What is accreditation?

Accreditation means that all processes around a course have been quality assured by the GPhC.

The accreditation process itself involves peer review, site visits, provider self assessment and public reports. Course providers must periodically submit for reaccreditation.

What is recognition?

Recognition relates to national qualifications delivered country wide. These courses are mapped to the quality credit framework and agreed national occupational standards. We recognise the quality assurance of these awarding bodies and do not directly accredit the specific providers.

We currently recognise level 2 and level 3 qualifications awarded by EdExcel, City and Guilds and Scottish Qualifications Authority.

For further details of the courses and qualifications the GPhC currently accredits and recognises, please see Accreditation and recognition reports.