The OSPAP programme of study is primarily intended for non EEA pharmacist graduates who wish to apply for registration within the UK pharmacy profession. It is recognised that some applicants may require a Tier 4 student visa to undertake their OSPAP studies and they will be supported by the University throughout the student visa application process.

Robert Gordon University is the only Scottish Institution to hold professional body accreditation for provision of a PgDip for Overseas Pharmacists' Assessment Programme (PgDip OSPAP accredited in 2006) and was the first University within the UK to offer a Masters award for OSPAP. Both MSc OSPAP and PgDip OSPAP graduates are eligible to apply for entry to the UK pharmacy pre-registration training scheme (please refer to Eligibility for the Pharmacy Pre-registration Training Scheme for further guidance).

The majority of OSPAP graduates complete their pharmacy pre-registration training year in either community pharmacy or NHS hospital pharmacy sectors prior to presenting for the professional body examination. Post professional body registration OSPAP graduates have access to a range of UK pharmacy career opportunities.

Please note however that some non-EEA applicants may require a UK Borders Agency (UK BA) work visa to complete the pharmacy pre-registration traineeship stage and the University strongly recommends that applicants familiarize themselves with the UK BA points based visa scheme and/or take advice from an immigration specialist for matters pertaining to work visas.

Guidance on the UK BA points based visa system may be found at the UK Borders Agency web page (www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk).

Prospective applicants are reminded that the UK BA points based visa system is under continual review and the onus is individuals to evaluate what, if any, work visa they may require to complete the pre-registration pharmacy traineeship.

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Pharmacist Education | OSPAP Pharmacist Course

MSc/ PgDip Course Structures:

Both courses are at Masters level (Scottish Credit Qualification Framework 11) and require full time study at the University. The aim is to ensure that you learn to think in a critical and reflective manner, providing teaching and assessment methods which enhance awareness of the practical relevance of the subject.

The first 9 months of the MSc and PgDip courses are identical and focus on the 5 modules accredited by the professional body namely:

• Pharmaceutical Care 45 credits
• Advanced Sciences in Professional Practice 30 credits
• Legislation and Professional Studies 15 credits
• Pharmaceutical Service Development 15 credits
• Prescribing Science 15 credits

These studies will provide a sound education and training, both theoretical and practical enabling students to appreciate and apply new knowledge and technology to the benefit of patients and the future development of pharmacy. The modules include organized experiential placements in community pharmacy, NHS hospital, industry and OSPAP students also have opportunities to develop skills in inter-professional working.

The MSc OSPAP programme comprises six modules of study and requires completion of a total of 180 credits, Scottish Credit Qualification Framework level 11 studied over 1 year.

• Pharmaceutical Care 45 credits
• Advanced Sciences in Professional Practice 30 credits
• Legislation and Professional Studies 15 credits
• Pharmaceutical Service Development 15 credits
• Prescribing Science 15 credits
• OSPAP Dissertation 60 credits

This dissertation activity is underpinned by training in research methods and requires the completion of a research project in an area of pharmacy. It requires a programme of full time study across semester 3 (May – October).

More detailed information on the modules studied can be found on the Course Information Database.

Graduates of either the MSc or PgDip course are eligible to apply for entry to a General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) approved pharmacy pre-registration traineeship.

We pride ourselves on providing an integrated and supportive learning experience. Through our virtual learning environment CampusMoodle you will receive support materials and find directed study for each of the OSPAP modules.

You will be supported by subject specialist e-tutors whose role is to enhance the programme delivery. You will also be assigned a personal tutor who is there to provide pastoral support. Our OSPAP students also have access to online e-mentors who themselves have successfully completed the OSPAP programme.

Entrants to the OSPAP programme must have been approved by the adjudicating committee of the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) for entry to an overseas pharmacists' assessment programme (OSPAP).

All entrants to the OSPAP are required to demonstrate English Language Proficiency via an IELTS test result (minimum achievement required is a score of 7 or greater in each element of the academic test).

Successful completion of the RGU OSPAP will entitle candidates to apply to undertake a pharmacy pre-registration training placement in the UK.

Please note that while you will be supported and guided through the process of preregistration application, the responsibility to find an appropriate pharmacy pre-registration training placement lies with the student.

Meeting these criteria does not necessarily mean you will gain entry to the UK or find employment. Before you start the qualifying process you should carefully consider information provided by the UK Borders Agency (UKBA) to see whether you will be able to get the necessary visas and work permits.

For information on UK work visas, please refer to the UK Border Agency website, (www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk).

Placements

The course contains a range of organised experiential placements in a variety of settings including primary care, NHS hospitals and the pharmaceutical industry.

Accreditations

The Postgraduate Diploma Overseas Pharmacists Assessment Programme (OSPAP) will meet part of the requirements of the General Pharmaceutical Council of Great Britain for registration of overseas pharmacists. Candidates who successfully complete an accredited OSPAP are then required to undertake 12 months pharmacy pre-registration training. Following this training period OSPAP graduates are required to sit and pass the professional body registration examination in order to practise pharmacy in the UK.

OSPAP Merit Scholarships

• Information on OSPAP Merit Scholarships

All course fees are reviewed annually and subject to change. Published fees apply to the course's mode of delivery.

The MSc /Pg Dip OSPAP course is only open to applicants who have:

• Completed the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) Adjudication process
• Can demonstrate an IELTS test score of 7 or greater in each element of the academic test.

Further details of that stage of the process can be found at their website:

• Overseas Pharmacist Assessment Programme - Registration

Candidates deemed eligible by the GPhC Adjudicating Committee for entry to an OSPAP should EITHER APPLY ONLINE (add link) or contact the OSPAP Administrator for further information and guidance if required. Email: ospapadmin@rgu.ac.uk

For further information regarding UK pharmacy and GPhC regulations of traineeship and professional registration please visit the website

• http://www.pharmacyregulation.org

Once you have been awarded either the MSc OSPAP or the PgDip OSPAP you are eligible to undertake a pharmacy pre-registration traineeship. This is a period of employment in a professional environment during which you will further develop the skills you gained during your OSPAP.  

Entrance to the pre-registration traineeship is quite competitive and there is no guarantee that you will receive a place. A proportion of these pre-registration places are with the NHS, but the majority of placements involve working with community pharmacists. Again, you should be aware that your place on the pre-registration year is not guaranteed as the number of available placements is dependent on different factors but your prospects of securing a job offer may be enhanced if you are in a position to apply for vacancies before you start your OSPAP studies.

International students are also very likely to require a work visa which can be dependent on meeting a number of conditions, including a minimum salary requirement and a Master’s degree level qualification. Whilst the PgDip OSPAP satisfies the educational requirements mandatory for entry to the UK pharmacy pre-registration training scheme it currently does not satisfy the UK BA requirements for a Tier 2 work visa or an RPS Tier 5 visa.

After the completion of 52 weeks of pre-registration training, and subject to you passing the registration exam at the end of the training, you will be eligible to register with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and practise as a fully qualified pharmacist.