Pharmacist

Pharmacists use their expert knowledge of medicines and health to make a positive difference to people’s lives and wellbeing. They provide care in a range of settings and have a role in preventing people from getting sick by helping them live healthier lifestyles and making sure they get the most from their medicines.

Pharmacists work with other healthcare professionals, such as doctors, nurses, allied health professionals and healthcare scientists, using scientific evidence to deliver care in the community. Their unique expertise and knowledge make them essential members of the healthcare team.

Pharmacists combine a love of science with a desire to improve lives. Most pharmacists work in community or hospital pharmacies. It is possible to work in many other work environments as well including, doctors’ surgeries, mental health services, the military, universities or in the pharmaceutical industry.

If you work as a pharmacist in the NHS, you’ll usually start on band 6 of the Agenda for Change pay scale (£38,682). With 5+ years’ experience this could increase to £46,580. You could reach band 9 as a chief pharmacist, which currently pays a salary of £109,179 to £125,637.

As a guide, you will be expected to have three A-B grade A-levels in chemistry and another science subject or mathematics.

To start your career as a pharmacist takes a minimum of five years and includes the following steps:

Successful completion of a General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) accredited Master of Pharmacy degree (MPharm), which is a full-time, four-year course. The MPharm degree is offered by Schools of Pharmacy at several universities in the UK.

Successful completion of the foundation/pre-registration training year, a period of paid employment in one or several sectors during which a trainee pharmacist is required to build up a portfolio of evidence and demonstrate their competence whilst being observed at work.

Successful completion of the GPhC's registration assessment.

Meeting the fitness to practise requirements for registration as a pharmacist. 

After completing these steps, you can apply for registration with the GPhC and legally practice as a pharmacist.

If you would like to pursue a career as a pharmacist, but do not have the required A-level grades or subjects, you may be able to complete an accredited foundation degree as an alternative route to join an MPharm degree.

To research local education and training opportunities that could lead to a career as a pharmacist, visit our partner website >log on | move on>.

Studying Healthcare - Pharmacist

Health Careers - Pharmacist

General Pharmaceutical Council - Pharmacist education and training

National Careers Services - Pharmacist 

Royal Pharmaceutical Society - Careers Information

Universities offering the MPharm degree course

Want to know what it's like to work as a pharmacist in the NHS? Watch the pharmacist video in How Did You Get That Job?