A nationally and internationally recognised and flexible qualification that enables candidates to gain the practical skills needed to be an effective Pharmacy Technician. It increases candidate’s confidence, personal growth and development that provide an excellent employability in the field of Pharmacy Services –a best sector of Employment in the UK, Europe, USA and rest of the western world.

The course is one year full-time study and comprises of two phases based on the College’s academic semester pattern. Course starts four times a year. Please contact the college for more details.

Formal qualifications are not required for entry to the course, however, completion of senior secondary education and experience of working with others in a pharmacy setting are desirable. Students who have completed their Higher Secondary Education are eligible to apply for this course. Applications from mature candidates are welcomed.

You must be accurate in following procedures and in labelling. You should be methodical and careful in your approach to work. Numerical skills and an interest in science are very much desired.

The College offers the ‘English Language Foundation Programme’ to help students with a lower level of English to achieve their academic and professional goals by developing a high level of fluency and expression in the English language. There is an exam at the end of the English course. A good pass in the exam is a sufficient evidence for admission, that you are ready for college study and that you do not need to take external exams such as IELTS or TOEFL.

Programme Description

This course leads to a National Vocational Qualification. NVQs are work-based qualifications which assess the skills and knowledge people have, and are able to perform effectively in their job role. These qualifications are designed using national occupational standards.

Mandatory Units

Optional Units

Mandatory Units

Optional Units

Students must select 4 optional units from a wide ranging list, some of which are detailed below. Guidance will be given according to the student’s placement.

Phase 1: 

This is a college-based period for theoretical studies of pharmacy modules as well as modules to improve communication and information technology skills.  During Phase 1 students will also find out how to prepare a portfolio which will be used for assessment of practice during Phase 2.

Phase 2:

This phase will be in the workplace, based with employers within the pharmacy sector.  Students will continue to get guidance and support from their College tutors, and will be assessed for practical skills by an approved workplace assessor provided by the college.

During both phases students will be able to work for 20 hours per week in order to financially support their studies. This may be in the same setting as their Phase 2 practice or in other settings.  The College will provide lists of suitable places for employment including Pharmacy Sector Employment Agencies

All the assessments for this NVQ will take place in your own place of work at a time agreed between yourself and your Assessor. The assessment would include: observations of your carrying out your normal tasks, oral questioning on what you are doing, completion of some written work, evidence of discussions with other colleagues

Learning and knowledge will be assessed by professional tutors who are experts in teaching the subjects and in the pharmacy profession. Tutors will set assignments which will be used to support the full NVQ Level 2 /3 assessments and help you show evidence of a good knowledge base in pharmacy related subjects.

Placement will be assessed by fully approved and qualified Workplace Assessors. This assessment will be carried out during Phase 2 and occur within the placement workplace.  Students will be expected to build up a Portfolio of Evidence which requires writing reports about their practice, answering written and oral questions, and other written material.  Records of Directly Observed Practice will be supplied by the Workplace Assessor for inclusion in the Student’s Portfolio.

On successful completion of the course you will receive an industry recognised prestigious qualification, the EDEXCEL National Vocational Qualification Level 2 or 3 (NVQ) in Pharmacy Services. & the ‘Executive Diploma in Pharmacy Services’ from Birmingham College

Awarding Body: Edexcel is a leading provider of vocational qualifications offered in the United Kingdom; they are recognised for their quality and are valued by employers in every sector of business and industry

The fee for the course is £4,500 per year and must be paid in advance. A student, who requires a Student Visa to enter or remain in the UK, will be entitled to a refund of the tuition fee if his/her visa application is refused.

To fulfil current statutory legislation of the pharmacy industry in Britain students should also complete the NVQ 3 in Pharmacy Services. Upon successful completion of both the NVQ 3 and National Certificate in Pharmacy Services students will meet the registration requirements of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. Students can also progress to Higher Education, such as an undergraduate degree in Pharmacy

There is demand for pharmacy technicians in both the health service and the retail/community sector. Employment opportunities for pharmacy technicians look extremely good especially for technicians with formal training or previous experience. Demand for pharmacy technicians in the UK is expected to grow by more then 36% by the year 2010.

This growth is due to increased pharmaceutical needs of a larger and older population and the greater use of medication by the population as a whole. There are also an increased number of middle aged and elderly people who tend to use more prescription drugs than do younger people. Another reason for greater employment opportunities for pharmacy technicians is the expansion of retail pharmacies and other employment settings.

Salaries for pharmacy technicians vary depending on the branch of pharmacy and the organisation they work for. National Health Service (NHS) employees are paid on a rising scale within defined pay bands, according to their skills and responsibilities. On the pay scales pharmacy technicians are on Band 4. From April 2006 this has been £16,405 - £19,730 a year. Higher level pharmacy technicians earn £19,166 - £24,803. Specialist pharmacy technicians and those with management responsibilities can earn up to £36,416 a year.  In the private sector, pay rates vary depending on the organisation and role and responsibilities, but are broadly in line with NHS rates. Pharmacy technicians usually work a 37-hour week, which may include shift work, including weekends, on a rota basis.

There are very high employment prospects in a rapidly growing sector in the UK economy.  Many leading recruitment have expressed that the UK should be attracting workers from overseas to meet a shortfall in available recruits for employment. Possible Employers include: community pharmacies (e.g. high street chemists' shops and supermarket pharmacy counters), NHS and private hospitals, NHS Primary Care Trusts, pharmaceutical companies and recruitment agencies including the followings. Just visit any of websites listed below and see how many opportunities are available in the UK.