Overseas Pharmacists Assessment Programme (OSPAP)

The Overseas Pharmacists Assessment Programme (OSPAP) PgDip at Aston University will equip you with the skills, insights and confidence essential for a career in pharmacy in the UK.

Core requirements Additional Visa Priority places 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 will be required to apply for a foundation training position via the national Oriel scheme, and 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. 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. 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. 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). 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). 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. If you are a UK student, there will be a charge of £49.50 for a Disclosure and Barring Service check - this may change as determined by the DBS. If not, then you will need to provide a suitable police check/letter from your home country. If you have been in the UK for more than six months but less than five years, you are required to provide a Police Clearance certificate/letter of good standing from your home country as well as undertaking the UK DBS. Students newly arrived in the UK to provide a Police Clearance certificate/letter of good standing. In line with other regulated health professions, in addition to the normal academic requirements, continuation of the Programme and the award is subject to the Fitness to Practice Regulations. 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…

IELTS 7.0 overall (component minima vary by programme; see university English-language requirements)

September 2026

• Birmingham, United Kingdom