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Join the only University in the North of England to offer an Overseas Pharmacist Assessment Programme (OSPAP) that is accredited by the General Pharmaceutical Council. Register and apply for roles as a practising pharmacist in the UK.
The course is designed for qualified pharmacists outside the European Economic Area (EEA) or who hold an EEA pharmacist qualification which is not a relevant qualification (other than a UK-recognised pharmacist qualification) who are looking to become registered pharmacists in the UK. It's one of a small number of courses that are accredited by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
Completing the OSPAP postgraduate diploma allows for entry to the next stages of registering as a pharmacist in the UK, and in addition, you can also apply to undertake a master's research project. The content of this course reflects the accreditation requirements of the GPhC.
You can choose to study this course as a Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) or a master's (MSc). If you choose to study the master's level, you'll also undertake a research project. This will be an original piece of work in which you'll demonstrate both theoretical and practical knowledge.
You can apply with or without your GPhC adjudication, however, you'll only be offered an interview once this has been received. Your application will be held pending until we have your GPhC Adjudication letter.
We use a wide variety of teaching and learning methods which include lectures, online learning packages, tutorials, and seminars. Compared to an undergraduate course, you will find that this masters requires a higher level of independent working.
Assessment methods include examinations, practical assessments as well as assignments throughout the year.
This is a full-time course and classes take place on campus Monday to Friday. The main teaching takes place over two terms of approximately 12 weeks from September to December and January to April. If you are doing the MSc module, this will run from June to September after the two diploma modules are completed.
We don’t currently display entry requirements for United States. Please contact the Student Admin team on studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk or 0191 515 3154.
To apply for this course, you must first apply to the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and pass their adjudication process, please see the GPhC website for full details on how to apply. After adjudication, the University will be informed of successful candidates. You can then apply by completing our online application form and attaching several required documents.
As part of your application, we will also need the following documentary evidence:
1. A copy of your GPhC-approved adjudication letter.
2. Proof of English proficiency (please refer to the GPhC’s guidance on how they assess evidence of English language skills).
You'll only be offered an interview once we have received your GPhC adjudication letter. Interviews will take place from November. We have a limited number of interview slots available so you'll be allocated one as soon as possible once you are eligible. Please make all attempts to attend this. If you cannot, please notify us immediately.
Once you’ve been interviewed, if successful you'll be sent an updated offer letter removing the condition for interview within 10 working days. If you have any outstanding additional conditions at that point, please send these to us as soon as possible to complete your application and secure your place.
Please contact us at internationaladmissions@sunderland.ac.uk if you have any questions about your outstanding conditions. If you have passed your interview, your place is only secured once all conditions of your offer are met. If you are unsuccessful, we will withdraw your offer.
Once you have met all conditions, if applicable, and you require a Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) then we will start to issue these from the end of March which is the earliest point we are able to. Once you have this, you will be able to apply for your visa. We recommend you apply for that as soon as possible in case of any delays when making your visa application. Once you have that, the University will be in touch around the induction and arrival process.
Fees for 2026/27 are tbc.
The time it takes to complete a PgDip is approximately two-thirds of the time it takes to complete an MSc. For this reason, the fees for the PgDip are two-thirds of the cost of the MSc.
Take a look at the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.
This information was correct at the time of publication.
This is one of the few courses in the UK that allow pharmacists from other countries to qualify for practising in the UK. Currently there is virtually no unemployment of qualified pharmacists.
On completing the OSPAP postgraduate diploma you can enter foundation training, this is the next stage of your training process. You must successfully complete a 52-week foundation training position and pass the GPhC registration assessment before being allowed to apply to join the register and practise as a pharmacist in the UK.
You'll be working in pharmacies on high streets or in large stores. You'll dispense prescriptions, deal with minor ailments, advise on the use of medicines, and liaise with other health professionals.
You'll be purchasing, dispensing, quality testing, and supply of medicines used in hospitals.
You'll be working in GP surgeries, either as an employee of the Practice or the Primary Care Trust. Roles include Medicines Management Pharmacists, who are responsible for prescribing budgets and the development of prescribing directives.
You'll be working in hospitals to supply medicines, manage clinics, provide drug information, and prescribe medicines.
You'll be involved with research and development, quality assurance, and product registration.
The application process and interviews will all take place before you start your OSPAP course. Once the application deadline has passed, late applications will not be accepted, therefore if you wish to be considered for a foundation training position starting immediately after the OSPAP course you must complete this process before starting at the University. Applications usually open in May/June before you start your OSPAP course.
Pharmacy trade magazines such as the Pharmaceutical Journal and Chemist and Druggist also advertise foundation training places.
Only one application will be required to apply for all programmes advertised and you will be able to preference both hospital and community programmes. All English and Welsh hospital preregistration pharmacist training programmes will be recruited to via Oriel plus a large number of community pharmacies have joined the scheme.
For more information please visit Oriel and Health Education England.
For applications to Scotland visit NHS Education for Scotland.
I find Sunderland to be such an amazing and peaceful city to live in.
The placements in hospitals, community and general practice were my favourite part of the course
