Other than South Africa (SA) to Australia, one of the best places to migrate from SA is the UK, due to relatively higher wages and great prospects (the richest pharmacist in the world is from the UK).
To become a GPhC registered pharmacist in the UK, if you are from SA you will most likely fall into either of these categories:
- are qualified as a pharmacist outside of the European Economic Area (EEA),
- or hold an EEA pharmacist qualification which is not a ‘relevant‘ qualification (other than a UK-recognised pharmacist qualification)
As such you will need to undergo,
- an Overseas Pharmacists Assessment Programme (OSPAP) – the duration of which is 1 year. Attendance for OSPAP course is 3 days per week and includes a mixture of lectures, workshops and practicals. Courses can be obtained from the Universities of Aston, Brighton, Hertfordshire, Kingston – London and Sunderland.
- 52 weeks of pre-registration training in England, Scotland or Wales
- sign off as satisfactory by your tutor the GPhC registration assessment with a pass result
The primary stage listed above is the OSPAP, to apply you first must submit an application fee of around £600 and send an “applying-for-eligibility-to-complete-an-overseas-pharmacists-assessment-programme-form”. The key points the GPhC is looking for you to meet include:
- Your degree must be determined to be comparable to the UK Bachelor’s degree completed by NARIC.
- You must hold a license to practise pharmacy in a given country.
- A professional and academic reference.
- A score of 7 across the board in one sitting of IELTS.
- Passing an interview by the OSPAP board (if you are called up)
- Complete 12 months Pre-Registration Training after you have passed the OSP Assessments. This pre-registration training period is to be completed under the same terms and conditions as required of UK MPharm graduates.
- Sit and pass the GPhC’s registration examination.
If you are accepted you will be put on a course in a University the course includes::
- General pharmacy law – tutorials and resources dedicated to improving your understanding of UK Pharmacy Law.
- Pharmacy sciences – key points in Evidence-Based Medicine in the UK.
- Ethics – tutorials on the Medicines Ethics and Practice, the bible for UK Medical Ethics.
- Working practices – tutorials and resources dedicated to looking at the differences between pharmacy in the UK and abroad.
- Societies and associations – introduction to a database of associations that can aid you in your move.
If you would like to speak to one of our specialist pharmacist consultants just click here.