Foundation trainee pharmacist national recruitment scheme
Overview
Oriel for Pharmacy is the national foundation trainee pharmacist recruitment process. All third-year MPharm students in Great Britain must undergo the process to secure their foundation programme for the foundation training year.
On this page, you’ll be able to find all the essential information to support you through the recruitment process.
Events
Oriel recruitment webinar (free for members)
Thursday 4 June 6.30–8pm
Booking link: Foundation Pharmacist Recruitment – Oriel 2026 – New Registration
Theme: Subject matter experts provide an outline and a summary of the entire Oriel process.
In conjunction with NHS England, Public Services Delivery Scotland (PSD Scotland), Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) and our student body: the British Pharmaceutical Students’ Association (BPSA).
Oriel preferencing webinar (free for members)
Thursday 16 July 12.30–1.30pm
Booking link: Preferencing (and student experiences) of the Oriel process – Oriel 2026 – New Registration
Theme: To provide an in-depth explanation and student insights into preferencing training programmes
In conjunction with NHS England, PSD Scotland, HEIW and our student body: the BPSA.
SJT and numeracy workshop (£20 for members)
Tuesday 18 August, 10.30am–12.30pm
Wednesday 2 September, 2pm–4.30pm
Booking link: Oriel: Preparing for Numeracy tests and SJTs 2026 – New Registration
Theme: To allow students to work through assessment style questions and confidently prepare for the oriel assessment
Within this price, you get access to our new Oriel practice assessment, timed with full rationales.
| Activity | Date (England/Wales) | Date (Scotland) |
| Application window opens | 15 June 2026 at 12pm | 15 June 2026 at 12pm |
| Application window closes | 3 July 2026 at 10am | 3 July 2026 at 12pm |
| Preferencing window opens | 29 July 2026 | 29 July 2026 |
| Numeracy/SJT centre booking window opens | 3 August 2026 | 3 August 2026 |
| Numeracy/SJT centre booking window closes | 14 August 2026 | 14 August 2026 |
| Numeracy/SJT centre startdDate (Pearson VUE Test Centres) | 21 September 2026 | 21 September 2026 |
| Numeracy/SJT centre end date (Pearson VUE Test Centres) | 1 October 2026 | 1 October 2026 |
| Preferencing window closes | 22 October 2026 | 22 October 2026 at 12pm |
| First round of offers released | Early November 2026 | Early November 2026 |
| Offers upgrade deadline | Late November 2026 | 25 November 2026 |
| Employers informed of recruited applicants | Mid-December 2026 | Mid-December 2026 |
*Please note the date/items are subject to change/TBC