Starting your training

The applicant handbook provides you with the necessary information to support you in making a successful application to Foundation training year. 

Foundation Pharmacy Applicant Handbook

Foundation year training comprises of:

• Minimum of 52 weeks training if completed in full. A work based placement that takes place under the supervision of a designated supervisor
• Three progress reviews with your designated supervisor should be conducted to show your competency
• Competency can be shown through achieving learning outcomes consistently
• Formal assessments by your designated supervisor who rates your progress as satisfactory or unsatisfactory

The registration assessment (of which you only have three attempts to pass). It consists of two parts. Each of these is a separate paper, and you will sit them on the same day.

• The morning paper is made up of 40 calculation questions. The time time limit to complete this paper is 2 hours.
• The afternoon paper is made up of 120 “selected response” questions. Some of these will be “single best answer” questions, where you will need to select one answer from a list of five as the best answer to the question. There will also be “extended matching questions”, where you will need to pick the best answer from from a list of 6 to 12 options for a number of scenarios (grouped by theme). The time limit to complete this paper is 2.5 hours.

Progress review & progress report

During your training your designated supervisor carries out 2 progress reviews. These will take place at 13 & 26 weeks into your training year. At each of these you should have a formal meeting with your designated supervisor. This is known as a progress review.

The progress review is an opportunity to discuss your progress with:

• learning outcomes
• assessment framework
• calculation questions 

Once agreed you and your designated supervisor will complete a progress report, your designated supervisor will rate your progress as satisfactory or unsatisfactory.

At week 49 you will need to submit your registration application, including a final declaration signed off by your designated supervisor. If your designated supervisor is unsure that you are competent in all areas of practice, they will not submit this final declaration and you may have to complete extra training.

Learning Outcomes

The learning outcomes demonstrate your competency as a pharmacist. They are separated into four domains that assess:

A. Person-centred care and collaboration

B. Professional practice

C. Leadership and management

D. Education and research 

• Each learning outcome is a description of what the GPhC expects you to be able to do and how you should behave if you were to register as a pharmacist
• You must be able to demonstrate competence consistently across all learning outcomes and record evidence of how you meet them
• Once your designated supervisor feels you have reached the necessary level of competence for a particular learning outcome they can sign you off as competent (for that learning outcome)

Achieving all learning outcomes is just as important as passing the assessment.

Highlights key milestones through your Foundation year training.

Your Foundation Timeline

Throughout your Foundation training year you may encounter situations where you need extra support and guidance, this guidance gives you information on what organisations can provide you with varying support.

Help and Support for Trainee Pharmacists

Helps you build a rapport with your Designated supervisor and gain the most out of your Foundation training.

Building rapport with your designated supervisor