Postgraduate Diploma for Overseas Pharmacists (OSPAP) PgDip/MSc

Due to unprecedented demand, we are not currently taking any further applications for the OSPAP programmes. The admissions team is processing all existing applications and will be in contact with applicants in due course.

Our Postgraduate Diploma for Overseas Pharmacists (OSPAP) PgDip/MSc is an intensive course that lasts for 9 months (PgDip) or 1 year (MSc). It has been designed for students who have qualified in a non-EU country to receive the appropriate education and training to prepare them for entry into Foundation training and UK practice.

During the course, you'll receive the key theoretical and practical training in topics essential for a career in pharmacy in the UK. You'll learn the newest developments in key pharmaceutical sciences, clinical pharmacy, and pharmacy practice, together with the study of health service delivery, and UK pharmacy law and ethics.

With our roots stretching back to the establishment of the Birmingham Pharmaceutical Institution in 1847, being the only Pharmacy School in the UK to hold a prestigious Regius Chair in Pharmacy awarded by HM the Queen, and our strong links with the NHS and industry, Aston Pharmacy School is the ideal place to further your career in the UK.

The Aston Pharmacy School sits within the College of Health and Life Sciences.

Professional accreditation

The Diploma for Overseas Pharmacists has been accredited by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), fulfilling their requirements as an OSPAP. This accreditation is one of the key requirements to practice as a pharmacist in the UK. The most recent accreditation at Aston University took place in May 2019 and the MPharm programme was re-accredited for six years, the maximum period possible.

Our community

As an Aston University student, you'll be joining a diverse, close community, with students from over 120 different countries choosing to study with us every year.

We are also home to an expansive and highly regarded research community, with several pharmacy research groups including:

• Pharmaceutical Sciences and Clinical Pharmacy Research
• Pharmacology and Translational Neuroscience Research

Course outline

The Aston OSPAP is delivered as a single, fully integrated module. This open and inclusive curriculum structure allows you to see how the material you learn throughout the course is connected.

The learning on this programme is structured with two main themes which are taught in parallel: 

Integrated Person-Centred Care

In its substantial theme you will develop the knowledge and skills for contemporary pharmacy practice, including advanced therapeutic skills that integrate clinical knowledge and the latest developments in drug delivery and formulation.

Transition and contextulisation

During this theme you will learn about the delivery of pharmacy and healthcare services in the UK, for example the law and ethics relating to pharmacy practice. You will also be supported in the transition from your home qualification to the UK context, and in the transition from the OSPAP programme to your further studies and Foundation training year.

MSc research project

In addition to the integrated module worth 120 credits, those choosing to complete the MSc qualification will also complete a research project module worth an additional 60 credits.

You will attend a compulsory two week induction / training session on research skills before you start your project. Please note, students on the MSc cannot commence their Foundation training until they have completed the course in full.

If you have any questions about the application process please get in touch with our postgraduate admissions team:

Email: pgadmissions@aston.ac.uk

Call: 0121 204 3200 (Please note this line is open Monday-Friday between 10am-4pm BST)

Please click here for guidance on completing the postgraduate application. 

If you have any questions about the application process please get in touch with our postgraduate admissions team:

Email: pgadmissions@aston.ac.uk

Call: 0121 204 3200 (Please note this line is open Monday-Friday between 10am-4pm BST)

Please click here for guidance on completing the postgraduate application. 

Requirements for all applicants

All applicants require:

• A pharmacy degree approved by the General Pharmaceutical Council for entry onto an OSPAP course. You will require documented approval from the GPhC regarding eligibility to undertake OSPAP prior to applying to Aston University. Please note that it may take up to two months to gain approval from the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). Candidates wishing to apply for a pre-registration position via the national Oriel scheme, are advised that applications should be made early to ensure acceptance onto the course before June in the year of entry.
• An appropriate English language qualification: the GPhC have recently revised the evidence that they are willing to accept for English Language knowledge. Their requirements are listed below. You are required to provide one of these four types of evidence to the GPhC, however Aston University will only accept types 1, 2 and 3.

1. A recent pass of the academic version of International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test with an overall score of at least 7 and with no score less than 7 in each of the four areas of reading, writing, listening and speaking at one sitting of the test. 
2. A recent pass of the of the Pharmacy Occupational English Language Test (OET) with a score of at least a B in each of the four areas of reading, writing, listening and speaking, at one sitting of the test.
3. A recent pharmacy qualification (i.e., a pharmacy qualification that would have enabled you to practise as a pharmacist in such countries) that has been taught and examined in English in a majority English speaking country (other than the UK) (e.g. Ireland, United States of America, Australia, New Zealand).
4. Recent practise for at least two years as a pharmacy professional (pharmacy technician or pharmacist) in a majority English speaking country (please note that Aston University does not accept work experience as proof of meeting our English Language requirements, you must have one of the above).

Additional requirements

Due to the nature of this course and in line with national requirements, students who receive an offer to study with us will be required to complete a series of checks and screenings, in addition to adhering to a number of regulations and policies. 

In line with other regulated health professions, in addition to the normal academic requirements, continuation on the Programme and the award is subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations.
 
The Programme includes several compulsory external placement days, within the West Midlands. You will incur travel costs which will vary depending on the location of your placement days and your mode of transport. If you are a UK student, there will be a charge of £40 for a Disclosure and Barring Service check. If not then you will need to provide a suitable police check/letter from your home country.  The current charge for a Disclosure and Barring Service check is £40. This may change as determined by the DBS. 
 
You will be required to complete a health screening questionnaire and provide the University with details of your vaccination status for the following: Tetanus, Diphtheria, Polio, Meningitis C, Tuberculosis screening, Varicella and Hepatitis B. Your Tetanus, Diphtheria, Polio, Meningitis C, MMR, Varicella and TB screening must be up to date before starting the Programme. If you have not had a course of Hepatitis B vaccinations you will be expected to undertake an accelerated schedule of vaccinations in the first term of the Programme. You will be liable for the cost of these vaccinations but students with financial difficulties may apply for a refund from the student hardship fund once the vaccination schedule has been completed. For further information please contact: pharmacy@aston.ac.uk.  Please note you may be required to fulfil additional conditions, such as additional vaccinations or blood tests, throughout your programme as determined by law or by professional, statutory or regulatory body requirements.
 
The questionnaire consists of relevant questions related to physical and mental health as well as basic demographic information. This is the same type of health screen questionnaire used in the University’s NHS partner trusts. The cost of this initial health screening will be paid for by the University.  Following submission and evaluation of your questionnaire you may be asked to discuss your enabling requirements for practice-based sessions with the Enabling Team.  Should your health screening questionnaire be incomplete or returned due to lack of information on your part, you will be charged an administration fee of £50 for the second review of your information. This fee is set by the University’s occupational health provider and may be subject to change.

Aston Pharmacy School policies: there are also further policies that all Pharmacy students must comply with and you should be aware of these before you apply:

• Student Policy for Raising Concerns
• Professional Appearance Standards 
• Pregnancy Risk Assessment
• Infection Control Policy

Visa requirements

The type of visa you need to study with us and complete your pre-registration year will vary depending on your own individual circumstances. Please refer to the UK government visas and immigration website for the most up to date information on study and work visas.

Additionally you can find out more on the GPhC website and obtain advice from our own in house visa compliance team in The HUB.

The information contained on this website details the typical entry requirements for this course for the most commonly offered qualifications. Applicants with alternative qualifications may wish to enquire with the relevant admissions teams prior to application whether or not their qualifications are deemed acceptable. For less commonly encountered qualifications this will be judged on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the academic admissions tutor. More advice on applying to Aston can be found here.

Learning and teaching

Taught in our modern Birmingham city centre campus, attendance on the course is normally* Monday through Thursday (with the occasional Friday). Satisfactory attendance and performance in the assessments are required for successful completion of the OSPAP.

We utilise a range of study methods throughout the course from lectures and web-based learning to clinical teaching sessions.

This course is worth 120 credits (PgDip) or 180 credits (MSc), with each credit equivalent to 10 learning hours. The learning hours may include but are not limited to lectures, seminars, tutorials, lab sessions, practicals, online activity, reading, other independent study, reflecting on assignment feedback and work placements.

*Subject to change

Assessment

Assessment methods include:

• Examinations
• Web based clinical assignments
• Clinical case studies
• Clinical case presentation
• Portfolio development
• Practical dispensing examination.
   

For the MSc only, research project assessment will also include critical appraisal, dissertation and a poster presentation.

Assessments take place at multiple points throughout the year and main exams are split between January and May with exam boards held in June.

Key staff

Course Director: Rabia Ahmed (PGDip)

Associate Course Director PGDip: Kay Bhatara

Professor Michael Coleman (MSc)

Facilities

As a Pharmacy student, you will have access to a range of specialist facilities in our recently redeveloped Wilson Pharmacy Suite. This includes our clinical skills room with a mock hospital bay set up, dispensing and patient counselling suites with discrete video recording capabilities. You will also use a range of laboratories and teaching rooms. 

Please note, a deposit of £2,000 will be required in advance to secure a place on this programme.

Scholarships

At Aston University we are committed to supporting the most talented and hardworking students to achieve their potential by providing a range of scholarships to help lower tuition and living costs. Find out more about our scholarships here.

On successful completion of this programme, you’ll be eligible to undertake your Foundation training placement and GPhC registration assessment, before applying to register as a qualified pharmacist with GPhC.

The June before your start the national Foundation training platform opens (ORIEL). If you wish to undertake Foundation training in hospital settings and many national community pharmacy chains. Applications must be made through ORIEL. It may not be possible for all OSPAP applicants to make this application in time. However we have a dedicated Careers and Placements team who can help you to find alternative Foundation training placements.

While we are not responsible for the provision of a Foundation training post, or the preparation for professional qualifying examinations, during your time at Aston you will have access to a wide range of services and support as you embark upon your first career steps. Our dedicated Careers and Placements team offer interview support, CV surgeries and specialist on campus careers fairs. You will also have the Aston Pharmacy School team on hand to assist with any questions you have about securing your Foundation training post.

There is an excellent track record of Aston OSPAP students obtaining and successfully completing Foundation training, with graduates going on to roles in community pharmacies, GP surgeries, NHS Primary Care Trusts and hospitals.

Why study OSPAP PgDip/MSc at Aston University?

This General Pharmaceutical Council accredited qualification is ideal for students who have qualified overseas to receive the appropriate education and training to prepare them for entry into pre-registration training and UK practice.

Studying in specialist dedicated facilities based in our modern Birmingham city centre campus, you’ll receive the key theoretical and practical training in topics essential for a career in pharmacy in the UK. You’ll learn the newest developments in key pharmaceutical sciences, clinical pharmacy and pharmacy practice together with the study of health service delivery and UK pharmacy law and ethics.

As an Aston Pharmacy School student you’ll be taught by qualified academics from a wide range of pharmacy backgrounds who are passionate about passing on their knowledge. You’ll also have access to a range of facilities and central services, like The HUB for visa advice and our award winning Careers and Placements team.

How long does the course take?

The course takes either 9 months for the PgDip, or 1 year for the MSc. Both are intensive options that have been designed to support you with the transition from your home qualification to the UK context, and in the transition from the OSPAP programme to your further studies and pre-registration year. 

Why should international students choose Aston University?

Aston University is a diverse, close community that welcomes international students. Students from over 120 different countries chose to study with us every year and Aston is not only a great place to study, based in the centre of Birmingham it’s also a great place to live.