International Applications 129 Lambeth Road, London SE1 7BT Tel

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1 International Applications 129 Lambeth Road, London SE1 7BT Tel Thank you for your enquiry about eligibility to undertake the Overseas Pharmacists Assessment Programme (OSPAP). The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC): The GPhC is the competent authority for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in Great Britain. The GPhC is a statutory corporation established under the Pharmacy Order 2010 (Statutory Instrument 2010/231) The GPhC is governed by a Council of 14 members, including the Chair. The Council has equal numbers of lay and registrant members who are independently appointed. Anyone (including EEA pharmacists) who wishes to practice as a pharmacist and use the restricted title pharmacist in Great Britain must be registered with the GPhC. The Process Overseas qualified pharmacists should use this information pack to make their application. To be eligible to apply you must have completed a pharmacy course that is comparable to those in the UK and must be registered or eligible to register as a pharmacist in your country of qualification. When we receive your application, under normal circumstances it will be processed within 5 working days of receipt in the department. Once processing has started you will be advised by ( or by post if no address is available for you) of any documents that are not acceptable and which documents are still outstanding. Please note that document status can change during the process on receipt of new documents. Once the application is considered complete, it will receive a final check in preparation for the final consideration and decision. Applications will usually be considered in the last week of every month and applications to be considered would need to be complete in the second week of that month to allow for the final check and preparation for consideration. 1

2 Your application will not be considered until ALL of the documents are in our hands and in order as required by the GPhC. You will be advised of the decision regarding your eligibility by ( or post if no address is available for you) within 5 working days of the final consideration. If you are considered to be eligible to make an application to join the OSPAP, you will be provided with a form to list in order of preference, the universities you wish to attend. You are required to return this form to the international applications department together with a certified recent photograph of yourself for each university you have listed plus one for the GPhC to hold on file ( usually 6 in total). Receipt of this form will not be automatically acknowledged. The preference form will be sent on to the OSPAP providers you have listed on your form together with a letter from this Society. You should then receive information from the providers. Overseas Pharmacists Assessment Programme (OSPAP) The OSPAP starts in September / October each year. Please send in your application as early as possible to allow time for errors or omissions to be corrected. We may have to contact your university for further information and this can take a long time. Some providers places are filled very early in the year and you should make your application as soon as you are ready to have the best chance of obtaining a place with your first choice provider. The decision that you are eligible to apply for the OSPAP usually allows you 2 academic years from the date of decision to start the programme. (eg if considered before September 2011 the dates for you to start would be September 2011 or September 2012). There are a number of stages in the application procedure which are contained in this pack. You should carefully read the WHOLE pack before starting the application process. You will find a checklist for the documents you have to provide included in the pack. It is strongly recommended that you make use of this checklist when submitting documents to the GPhC. Please note this is for your use and should not be sent in with your application. If your degree is determined to be comparable to the Bachelor degree with adequate pharmacy content you should be considered eligible to apply for the OSPAP as a first step towards registration as a pharmacist. The steps following the successful completion of the OSPAP are as follows: Complete 12 months preregistration training. This will be completed under the same terms and conditions as required of UK MPharm graduates Sit and pass the GPhC s registration assessment. For more details on preregistration training see the following link: 2

3 NB: You are required to register within 4 years of starting your OSPAP. Alternatively, if your degree is not comparable to a UK Bachelor degree or if you have provided your academic transcript you may be required to attend for interview at the GPhC in London. The Interview: All interviews are held at the GPhC Head Office in Lambeth Road, London. If you are required to attend for interview you will be given as much notice as possible of your appointment date and time. You will be required to attend for interview within 18 months of the notification letter. If you do not, you will be required to make a new application. The interview is intended to allow you to demonstrate your pharmacy knowledge by responses to questions posed. The interview will encompass the following: Your general pharmaceutical knowledge as it relates to the course and examinations you have taken Your knowledge of the practice, law and ethics of pharmacy in Britain Verification of your competence and command of the English language If during the interview you cannot satisfy the Panel as to your abilities, you may be considered unsuitable to apply for the OSPAP and required to complete a 4 yr UK pharmacy degree course, 12 months preregistration training and pass the GPhC registration assessment to be able to register as a pharmacist. When you attend for interview you will be provided with the main questions that will be put to you during the interview and allowed 30 minutes of preparation time before the interview. You will be provided with a copy of the Medicines Ethics and Practice Guide (MEP) with your interview appointment letter. The British National Formulary (BNF) and MEP will be available to you during the preparation time and also during the interview. There is no appeal against the Panel s decision and you will not be granted a second interview without making a new application unless there are exceptional circumstances. General information on completing the application: Complete the documents in black ballpoint pen and in BLOCK CAPITALS ( unless lower case is essential such as in am address) We always try to process applications as quickly as possible. When we receive and process additional documentation in the department we will always acknowledge receipt and update you on the status of your application at the time, usually by . 3

4 1.Names If you want an acknowledgement of receipt of your initial application please include a stamped self addressed envelope or postcard with your with your application. This will be posted on receipt of your application in the international department. To help us process your application as quickly as possible, please check your documents very carefully to make sure you have provided all that is required and in the format required (eg certified copy or original document). We recommend that you make use of the checklist provided in the information pack. If we need to contact you we will use the and postal address that you enter on your questionnaire so it is important to make sure these details are up to date, accurate and legible. You MUST advise us of any change of contact details as soon as possible. If possible you should provide a UK contact address. We would advise you to send your application by some form of delivery that requires a signature by the GPhC. Please ensure you address your envelope / package to International applications. Please note that even though post may have been signed into the building, it does not necessarily mean that it has been received in the international department. Your documents may have variations of your names. To complete your application you MUST provide official documentation or a sworn declaration as follows to verify any name changes or variations. Marriage / Civil Partnership certificate Statutory declaration (Appendix 2) sworn before a UK registered solicitor or legal equivalent in the country where you are. Please note the newspaper announcements or declarations made by persons other than yourself are NOT acceptable. 2. Certified copies The GPhC requires a certified copy to be presented as follows: The document MUST be: Marked as a true copy of the original Signed dated and stamped by a UK registered solicitor or legal equivalent in the country where you are. NB. If you apply with a UK address you will be expected to provide documents certified by a solicitor licenced to practice in the UK. 4

5 3. Translations Any document that is not provided in the English language MUST be accompanied by a translation as follows: The translation must be completed by an authorised translator It must be a literal translation, not an interpretation of the original document All certifications and ink stamps on the original document must also be translated The translator must put their business stamp on each document translated and sign and date the statement this is a true and accurate translation and attach the translation to the original language document or provide a list of the documents translated. 4. Direct documents The GPhC requires that certain documents are sent directly from the issuing body / person. If these documents are considered to have been supplied via yourself or any other third party they will be rejected and you will be required to arrange for new documents to provided in the correct manner. 5. Inability to provide documents In general, your application will not be considered for eligibility until all of the required documents have been received and considered acceptable. If you cannot supply any documents required you should provide a written explanation of why this situation has arisen. If your explanation is accepted you will be advised of how to proceed and what alternative documents may be considered. 6. Data protection The GPhC is a data controller registered with the Information Commissioner s Office. The GPhC makes use of personal data to support its work as the regulatory body for pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and retail pharmacy premises in Great Britain. Data may be shared with third parties in pursuance of the GPhC s statutory aims, objectives, powers and responsibilities under the Pharmacy Order 2010, the rules made under the Order and other legislation. Personal data may be processed for purposes including (but not limited to) updating the register, administering and maintaining registration, processing complaints, compiling statistics and keeping stakeholders updated with information about the GPhC. Please note that the GPhC will not share your personal data on a commercial basis with any third party. 7. The GPhC reserves the right to request additional documents at any time during the application process. 5

6 Documents required from the applicant: 1. English Language Test You MUST supply a satisfactory English language test result with your initial application. The GPhC only accepts IELTS and requires a level of a minimum of 7 in every category of the same sitting of the academic IELTS. The IELTS result is valid for 2 years from the date of the test. Your IELTS result must be valid until your application is complete and considered for eligibility. If we do not hold a satisfactory IELTS result on file for you when we receive your application or you do not include one with your application WE WILL RETURN YOUR APPLICATION IMMEDIATELY. Please ensure that you request the IELTS test centre to send a result form to International applications GPhC, 129 Lambeth Road, London SE1 7BT by using the appropriate section on the IELTS application form. You will need an original test result form when you apply to other organisations and the international department will not give you the original IELTS result form provided by the test centre. If you have used a document other than your current passport as identification for the IELTS test you should include a certified copy of that document in your application. To obtain further information you may contact the IELTS Information Centre Line by telephone: (UK) by general.enquiries@britishcouncil.org or visit their website at Please note: The only exemption from the IELTS requirement at application stage is if you are an EEA (Non British) passport holder. If you are an EEA (Non British) passport holder you will be required to provide a valid IELTS result of the same level ( a minimum of 7 in every category of the same academic test) to the OSPAP providers before you can start the programme. There are NO exceptions. 2. Degree Certificate You must supply your original degree certificate. After verification the GPhC will return this to you by recorded delivery post to a UK address or by courier if you are overseas. The GPhC will hold a copy on file. This must be your FULL certificate not the provisional. If your university has not issued your full certificate at the time of your application you must request the University to write directly to the GPhC confirming that certificates have not yet been issued and dates when they will be. Please note that if you have not provided your original full certificate by the time you have 6

7 completed preregistration training and passed the registration assessment, it will delay your final registration. If you have been awarded further qualifications such as a Masters degree you can send a certified copy of that certificate and it will be included in your application. It will not make any difference to your route to the register. 3. Passport You must initially supply a certified copy of your passport identity page ( including the photograph). However, before you start the OSPAP course you will be required to make an appointment for your original passport to be verified at the GPhC in London. Please note that you do not have to include all the blank pages of your passport in the copy. We need to see the identification pages, any validity extension page and your current visa. 4. Completed questionnaire Please ensure you: 5. CV Write clearly in black ink Include a legible address where possible. This will enhance the communication process Provide a UK postal address where possible. Complete ALL sections of the questionnaire Maiden name is for married females to enter their pre marriage surname Please remember this is not an employment application CV it is for registration purposes. Ensure you: Include all your educational qualification and work experience ( even non-pharmacy). Include the FULL address for your educational bodies and your employments Ensure the whole period from when you qualified as a pharmacist is included in your CV dates and that your CV is up to date. If not working for any more than 3 months, please enter those dates in sequence on your CV. Please ensure you make accurate representation of your job title during your employments and a brief summary of your role within that employment. If you have been permitted by law to work as a pharmacist before registration in any country you should ensure that you describe that as preregistration employment. Your CV and documents will be carefully checked to 7

8 ensure all the information is the same. Any differences will have to be addressed and will delay the completion of your application. 6. Photographs You must supply 2 recent passport style photographs certified on the back as follows: This is a true likeness and signature of Your full name and signature ( no initials) The signature of the UK registered solicitor (or equivalent legal witness in the country where you are) who witnesses your statutory declaration, and date Example as shown below: This is a true likeness and signature of Your full name & signature Signature of legal witness of your statutory declaration & date 7. Application Fee Please note your application will be returned to you immediately on receipt if you do not include the application fee. The current application fee is 687 (subject to yearly review) payable to the General Pharmaceutical Council. The fee can be paid by the following means: Personal cheque drawn on the UK branch of a UK bank Bankers draft ( a cheque drawn on your bank but not on your personal account) GB Postal Order DO NOT SEND CASH The GPhC will waive the fee for those seeking grant of asylum at the time of the initial application 8

9 8. Certified copy of your birth certificate The copy of your birth certificate should be certified as a true copy of the original by a solicitor (English Law) or the legal equivalent in the country where you are. You should complete declaration A of the statutory declaration enclosed in the information pack if either of the following applies: Your birth was not registered within 1 year of your actual birth. Your full name does not appear on your birth certificate. 9.Change of name If you have changed your name from that on your birth certificate you should complete declaration B of the statutory declaration enclosed in the information pack. Please see 9a if your name changed due to marriage / civil partnership 9a certified copy of your marriage certificate/ civil partnership If you have changed your name through marriage / civil partnership and wish to register in your new name you should provide a certified copy of your marriage / civil partnership certificate instead of completing declaration B. You are advised to send your application by a form of delivery that requires a signature on receipt. Please ensure you address your envelopes to International Applications. Please note that post may have been signed into the building but has not necessarily been received in the International Application department. Please Note: ALL documents should be sent to: International Applications General Pharmaceutical Council 129 Lambeth Road London SE1 7BT Tel: international@pharmacyregulation.org 9

10 Documents to be supplied DIRECTLY to the GPhC The following documents should be sent from the issuing body (university, pharmacy council, referee) DIRECTLY to the GPhC. They should not be sent via the applicant or any other third party. If the GPhC considers this to be the case, the documents will be rejected and replacements will have to be provided. 1. Academic Transcript You must request a full transcript of your academic record for your pharmacy qualification. This must be certified by the relevant officer at the university or academic body. The GPhC will check the information in the academic transcript with the information provided by the applicant. Any discrepancies will be brought to the attention of the issuing body and an explanation for the differences will be required. 2. Letters confirming Registration and Good Standing You must request a letter from the regulatory authority or body that grants your licence in your country of qualification. This letter should state that you are registered or eligible to register and that you are in good standing with that authority and no adverse information is known about you. This letter must also confirm when and where you obtained your degree in pharmacy, your date of birth and your registered address. You will also be required to provide a letter confirming your good standing from any pharmacy governing body under which you have worked in the 5 years immediately prior to your application. 3. References You must arrange for a minimum of 2 references to be supplied from your country of qualification in support of your application. One must be from your current or most recent employer in your country of qualification (internships / placements included) and the other should be from a professional such as your university tutor or previous employer. If you are or have been employed in the UK / studying in the UK you must also supply a reference from your UK employer / tutor. If you have been working in a pharmacy it must be from your supervising pharmacist. Reference must: Be addressed to International Applications at the GPhC Be on official headed paper or contain the pharmacy stamp 10

11 Be issued in the name in which you are registered in your country of qualification( unless any change of name documents supersede this) State it is support of your application to the GPhC Should not be from a relative Any references that do not meet the criteria will not be accepted and new references will have to be provided. ALL DOCUMENTS SHOULD BE SENT TO: International Applications General Pharmaceutical Council 129 Lambeth Road London SE1 7BT Tel: international@pharmacyregulation.org 11

12 DOCUMENT CHECKLIST: Applicant Use: IELTS result form 7+Listening 7+Reading 7+Writing 7+Speaking Application Fee payable to GPhC Original Degree Certificate Copy Passport Questionnaire CV Photographs Copy birth certificate Copy marriage /cp certificate Statutory Declaration Requested to be sent direct to Society: Academic Transcript Registration / Good Standing References NB: ALL documents should be sent to: GENERAL PHARMACEUTICAL COUNCIL 129 LAMBETH ROAD LONDON SE1 7BT We advise you to send your application by some form of delivery that requires a signature on receipt.please ensure that you address your post to the INTERNATIONAL APPLICATIONS department. This helps to avoid delay in post reaching the department. Please note that because post has been signed in to the building, it does not necessarily mean it has been delivered to the department. If you wish make enquiries about receipt of documents please have the delivery reference and date and time of delivery with you to assist us in checking receipt. 12

13 OSPAP DECISIONS The GPhC will consider your application and decide your eligibility to apply for the OSPAP. You will be advised of the decision within 5 working days of your application being considered. The letter will be sent to you by ( or post if no address is available for you). You should ensure that you carefully read all the enclosures sent with your decision letter. It contains important information regarding your preregistration training. Please send in your application as soon as you are ready. If your application is received after July you may not be able to obtain a place at your first choice university. If there are issues with your documents you may be delayed in applying for the OSPAP. Overseas Pharmacists Assessment Programme (OSPAP) If you are considered eligible to attend the OSPAP your will be sent a form to complete stating your preferred universities in descending order. This form MUST be completed and returned to International Applications with a certified copy of your current VISA (NOT PASSPORT) and 6 passport style photographs certified as a true likeness by a solicitor ( English Law) or the equivalent legal witness in the country where you are. The form should be stamped with their business stamp. Once the form and photographs are received in the office they will be sent on to the universities with a supporting letter. All communication regarding the OSPAP should then be between you and the universities. The OSPAP starts in September / October each year and covers one academic year. Please note that there is a charge for the OSPAP and you should also consider your living expenses while on the OSPAP. The OSPAP consists of a structured academic assessment of your qualifications, attendance at specific modules and completion of ALL assessments. While there may be some exemption from some taught elements, there will be NO exemption from any of the assessments. Successful completion of the OSPAP will demonstrate the applicant s achievement of the UK M-level graduate criteria. It will not give the applicant an MPharm or any Masters level qualification. 13

14 All applications considered by the GPhC must include the International English Language Test System Report - (IELTS) certificate. You must have achieved a minimum score of Academic Level 7 in each of the test parameters - Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. English Language Competency tests are conducted by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate and by The British Council. To obtain further information you may contact the IELTS - Information Centre Line: By telephone: (UK) By general.enquiries@britishcouncil.org Or visit their web site at: Your application will not be accepted until you have passed the IELTS at the required standard and have submitted the test certificate together with all the other relevant documents as requested in the information pack provided by The Society. If you are an EEA ( non-british ) passport holder you are not required to provide an IELTS with your application for eligibility to apply for the OSPAP. You will be required to provide a valid IELTS result of the same level to the OSPAP providers. There are NO exceptions. January

15 QUESTIONNAIRE FOR ELIGIBILITY FOR THE OVERSEAS PHARMACISTS ASSESSMENT PROGRAMME (OSPAP). 1.1 Title: Mr Mrs Miss Ms Other (please state) 1.2 Surname(s): Forename(s): Maiden Name(s): 1.3 Home Address: UK contact Address: address: Home Telephone Number: 1.4 Date of Birth: Place of Birth: 1.5 Nationality: 1

16 1.6 Degree awarding body: Degree awarded: Date degree course started: Date degree course completed: 1.7 Name of Regulatory body in country of qualification: Date of first registration as a pharmacist in country of qualification: Registration number: Give details of any other registration you hold with a regulatory body: 1.8 Have you previously applied for registration with the Society Yes No Date of previous application: 1.9 Have you previously applied for registration as a Pharmacy Technician Yes No Date of previous application: Are you registered as a pharmacy technician with the Society: Yes No Date of registration: 2

17 2.0 Declaration by applicant I declare that the information that I have provided to the GPhC in my application for OSPAP eligibility is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief. Signature: Date In making this application for eligibility to apply for the OSPAP I agree that: The GPhC may make any enquiries it considers relevant and appropriate to establish an applicant s eligibility to apply for the OSPAP The GPhC may discuss or disclose any personal or sensitive data that it holds about an applicant with referees, educational establishments, professional regulatory and representative bodies, government departments, law enforcement or immigration agencies and any other third party if the GPhC considers it to be necessary and appropriate If information or supporting documentation that an applicant has provided is false or inaccurate the GPhC may decline the application and may report the matter to the relevant law enforcement agencies and any other third party that it considers should be notified At the application stage for eligibility for the OSPAP the GPhC does not make any assessment of an applicant s fitness to practise with respects to their good character and/or health. In accepting that an applicant is eligible to apply for the OSPAP the GPhC does not provide any assurances, undertakings or guarantees to the applicant that should they subsequently apply for registration that they will be registered with the GPhC Should an applicant successfully complete the OSPAP, 12 months pre-registration training and the GPhC s registration assessment and apply to the GPhC for registration a full assessment of their fitness to practise will take place at the time of their application. This is to determine an applicant s suitability to be included on the Register. An applicant for registration will be required to complete certain declarations concerning their fitness to practise as a pharmacist. In determining this application for registration and in deciding whether an applicant is of good character and/or health the Registrar is required to consider matters in the assessment frameworks. Signature: Date 3

18 STATUTORY DECLARATION You must complete whichever declaration(s) on this side of this form are applicable. You must complete BOTH boxes on the other side of this form. DECLARATION A: Inability to provide an acceptable birth certificate. I (insert full name, identical to that on your application for registration) First names. Family names.. Of (insert home address).. Do solemnly declare to the best of my knowledge and belief that I was given the name:. at my birth on.. in (date of birth) (name of country) DECLARATION B: Using a name other than that on the birth certificate/declaration A I (insert full name, identical to that given at birth) First names.. Family names.. Of (insert home address) Do solemnly and sincerely declare that since.( day, month, year) I have used and in the future will be known by the name of:. (insert full name you are using now this must be identical to the name on your application for registration) You MUST complete Section C (overleaf) of this declaration. 1

19 DECLARATION C: I..dob (Name in full) Of.. (Home address). Do solemnly and sincerely declare that I am the person referred to in the following documents given in support of my application for registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (Please tick each box) Degree certificate academic transcript letter of good standing Birth certificate Marriage certificate ( married female applicants only) Passport IELTS result form Current CV And I make the declaration(s) contained in this document conscientiously believing the same to be true and by virtue of the provisions of the Statutory declaration Act Signed: Date: DECLARATION BY SOLICITOR: (to be completed by the solicitor) Declared at. (full address of solicitor) This..day..of.20 (I confirm that I am authorised to administer this oath.) Before me: (Print Name) Signed:.. Solicitors business stamp: The appropriate declaration(s) on this form must be completed by the applicant in the presence of the solicitor who should then complete the Declaration by Solicitor (above) January

20 OVERSEAS PHARMACISTS ASSESSMENT PROGRAMME PROVIDERS ASTON UNIVERSITY BRIGHTON UNIVERSITY KINGSTON UNIVERSITY SUNDERLAND UNIVERSITY THE ROBERT GORDON UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF HERTFORDSHIRE Aston Pharmacy School North Wing 805 Aston University Aston Triangle Birmingham B4 7ET School of Pharmacy & Biomolecular Sciences University of Brighton Moulescoomb Brighton BN2 4GJ Faculty of Science Kingston University Penrhyn Road Kingston Upon Thames KT1 2EE School of Health, Natural & Social Sciences University of Sunderland Fleming Building Wharncliffe Street Sunderland SR1 3SD School of Pharmacy & Life Sciences Faculty of Health & Social Care The Robert Gordon University City Centre Campus, Schoolhill Aberdeen AB10 1FR School of Pharmacy University of Hertfordshire Hatfield AL10 9AB Contact: Administrator: Ms C M Hoban c.m.hoban@aston.ac.uk Leader: Dr J Marriott. J.F.Marriott@aston.ac.uk Tel: ext 3985 Contact: Administrator: Mrs S Gotham s.j.gotham@bton.ac.uk Tel: Leader: Mr M Ellis-Martin m.ellis-martin@bton.ac.uk Contact: ospap@kingston.ac.uk Contact: Administrator: Ms L McMurrough linda.mcmurrough@sunderland.ac.uk Leader: Dr R Slane rebecca.slane@sunderland.ac.uk Contact: Administrator: Mrs A Dalgarno. a.dalgarno@rgu.ac.uk Tel Leader: Dr S Boyle s.boyle@rgu.ac.uk Tel: Enquiries: ospapadmin@rgu.ac.uk Contact: Admissions Tutor: Ms K Lefteri MRPharmS k.a.lefteri@herts.ac.uk Tel: Fax (mark: fao K. Lefteri)