Choose a categorie of FAQs:

How to Start?
First you need to be sure that you really want to work in the UK as a pharmacist!  

What is the interview about?
They will want to know about your skills and knowlege, particularly your ability to lead a team. The length of the interview varies depending on the company but can last about an hour.

What kind of pharmacists are they looking for?
Pharmacies in the UK are looking for people who are interested in providing a good service to customers. You need to be confident, good at problem solving and able to work under pressure. Being able to work well in a team is also important and a flexible approach is vital.

What happens if my English level is too low?
Then you will need to work harder at your English and be patient! You'll make faster progress if you study at a language school in Britain.

What is the English level that I need to take part in an interview?
It is very important to have advanced-level of English. You need to be able to communicate well with customers and colleagues.

What kind of contract do pharmacies offer?
Generally it is a permanent contract.

Do I need to stay for a minimum period of time?
Genrally yes, at least a year. This is because the pharmacy is investing a lot of time and money into your training.

What happens if I don't finish my contract?
You will need to return the money invested in your training if you break your contract.

Do I need to have MUR accreditation before the  interview?
For the interviews that we organise  - yes, and for most other jobs too.

Is the cost of living very expensive in the UK?
You'll find it's very similar to Spain. Transport and accommodation are sometimes more expensive but other things are much cheaper. It also depends on where you live in the UK.

Can I live with the training salary?
Your training salary is higher than the staff who work with you, and if you need it,  you can arrange to have a loan to deal with your initial expenses.  

Would you help me with the accommodation?
Some pharmacies will pay for your accommodation in a hotel for the first four weeks, but not all of them.

Do I need experience in community pharmacy?
It's obviously good if you have had experience, but it's not necessary.

Do I need to be registered before the interview?
Yes, definitely.

Can I go with a friend and work in the same city?
That's possible - you may just need to be more flexible with your choice of town/city.

Where are the interviews?
In the UK face-to-face or on the phone.

Where are the jobs?
They are mostly in the areas of Cumbria, Norfolk, Suffolk, Devon, Cornwall and Lancashire. It's difficult to find a job in London and in places where there's a university with a pharmacy faculty. 

Do I have to be registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) to work as a pharmacist in the U.K.?
Yes.

How long will it take for me to get registered?
This is difficult to answer because it depends on, among other things, how long the institutions in your country  takes to send the letters to the GPhC. For this reason it is advisable to ask the Ministry of Education first and the Professional Association first while you collect the other documents. You need to check time limits for different documents. In general it takes approximately three months.

Which documents have to be originals?
The letter from the Ministry of Education and your professional Society

Who should certify my photocopies?
A Notary authorised to certify documents. They know exactly what to do and we will translate the wording and stamps.

The Notary says I need an Apostille, is that right? No, you do not need this.

Where can I get copies certified in England? Go to your nearest solicitor which you can find very easily on the internet. It costs about £5 a page but the price can vary.

What is the letter of 'Good Standing'?
It is a letter from your professional body confirming that you are a member and that there is nothing known about you which would prevent you from working as a pharmacist.

What do I do if I am not a member of a professional body in my country?
You can ask the Colegio Oficial de Idiomas in Madrid to send a letter confirming that you meet the requirements to be registered in Spain.

What is the letter showing “Compliance with Directives”?
It is a letter from the Ministry of Education confirming that your degree has the same value in other European countries.

My doctor said that she would not sign the Health Declaration because she will not sign something in another language.
Unfortunately you will have to find another doctor who will. If the doctor does not know you they can give you a medical examination.

Will the pharmacies refund the money I paid to the GPhC?
Most of them they do for the time you work for them.

Shall I do the registration from my country or do I need to go to the UK?
It is easier from your country.

My address is temporary. Does any information arrive through the post to my house or can I give the address of a friend? The GPhC hardly ever send anything through the post to your house. However, after registration, if you have used an address in Spain, remember to inform the Register department of your new address and post code so they can update it on their system, otherwise you may not be able to log in to the CPPE website which asks for a UK post code.

My passport is out-of-date. You can use your ID document

What level of English do I need to work as a pharmacist in the UK?
You need to have C1 on the Common European Framework of Reference. 

Do I need to do another test if I have already a certificate?
If you have passed CAE, Trinity ISE III, UBELT with a 3 or IELTS with a 7.0, within the past two years, then you don’t need to take another English test. Otherwise, yes.

Can I take one of these English tests in my country or do I have to come to England?
Yes, you can take them all in your country. Go to a reputable language school and they will be able to help you.

How quickly can I reach advanced-level English?
This is a difficult question to answer because people have different amounts of time to study, and learn at different rates. In general these are the approximate times to reach advanced-level English:

If you study English full-time at a language school in Britain,
• to progress from B1 (pre-intermediate) to B2 (upper-intermediate) –  10-12 weeks
• to progress from B2 to C1 (advanced)  – 10-12 weeks
If you study English part-time in your country, it will take longer.
• To progress from B1 to B2 –  1-2 years
• To progress from B2 to C1 – 1-2 years

To progress from one level to the next takes approximately 200 hours of study.

I have no idea what my English level is?
You can have a free level test at most language schools in your country.

Where can I find a language school in my town that can give me the right language training to work in the UK?
We work closely with Hyland Language Centre in Madrid and El centro Británico in Santiago. There are many good schools around Spain. It's important to check that they are approved by the British Council.

Can I work at the same time I am studying?
It is much more harder but if you need to work while you are studying, here are a couple of websites to get you started: www.totaljobs.com; www.jobsite.co.uk.