Pharmacist education and training

Being a pharmacist is a rewarding career that helps to make a positive difference to the lives of patients. To qualify as a pharmacist, it takes a minimum of five years and combines study and paid employment.

If you want to become a pharmacist, there are a series of steps you must take:

  • Successful completion of an accredited Master of Pharmacy degree (MPharm) , which is a full-time course, normally over four years.
  • Successful completion of the foundation training year, in one or more sectors.
  • Successful completion of our registration assessment.
  • Meeting our criteria for registration as a pharmacist in Great Britain.

If you follow education and training which meets the 2021 IETP standards below, you will become an independent prescriber when you register.

If you want to become an independent prescriber and have not followed this route, you must take an accredited independent prescribing course - find out more below.

 

Criteria for registration

The criteria sets out the steps you must take to be eligible to register as a pharmacist in Great Britain, once you have completed your initial education and training.

See the criteria

Standards for the initial education and training of pharmacists

These standards set out the knowledge, skills, understanding and professional behaviours a student and/or trainee pharmacist must demonstrate to pass their initial education and training and to join the professional register.

Learn more about the standards

Courses and qualifications

Find out more about and search for MPharm and OSPAP accredited courses.

Look for courses

Registration assessment

All you need to know about the registration assessment.

Learn about the exam

Foundation training

Find out all about the foundation year - information for applicants and current trainees.

Learn about Foundation training

Independent prescribing

Find out more about becoming an independent prescriber (IP) after registering as a pharmacist.

IP education and training