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London named one of the best student cities in the world 2012
News
Alumni Dinner in Kuala Lumpur 03/12
From L-R: Dr Fariz Abdul Rani, Dr Afendi Dahlan, Ms Shairyzah Hisham, Ms Nurdiana Jamil, Dr Mike Munday and Arvind Vepa
Hong Kong Alumni Reunion 02/12
Back Row Standing (L-R): Harold (Rita’s husband and UCL alumnus), Rita Tsang, Arvind Vepa, Kent Lau, Samantha Lai (and son), Winston Mok, Daniel Man, Keith In, Kenneth Man, Paulina Lau (partially hidden)
Middle Row Standing (L-R): Lillian Wong, Leo Ho, Lumbo Lam, Joanne Fan (and daughter)
Seated (L-R): Anna Yung, Prof. Ian Wong, Dr. Mike Munday, Matthew Wong, Stanley Au, Prof. Yuen Kah Hay, Cheung Hong Chung and Kai Wai (Samantha’s husband)
Information on Pre-Registration Opportunities after 2015
In order to qualify as a pharmacist in the UK, students must complete the MPharm programme successfully, undergo one-year pre-registration training and pass the licensing examination conducted by the General Pharmaceutical Council. This is also applicable to international students pursuing the MPharm.
Till April 2012, the Post Study Work visa scheme enabled overseas students to stay back for up to two year after their studies and work in the UK. This enabled MPharm graduates to undertake the pre-registration training and acquire some experience thereafter. This scheme was closed on 5 April 2012. From 6th April, new arrangements were introduced enabling overseas students to switch to Tier 2 with a minimum salary of £20,710 for both public and private pre-registration pharmacists posts.
The minimum salary of £20,710 posed a problem as the community pharmacy sector does not pay at this level for pre-registration trainees. Following extensive discussions between various stakeholder including the Heads of Pharmacy Schools, the Department of Health, The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) and the UKBA, a new scheme was devised to help those pre-registration students who would earn less than the specified salary. Therefore, earlier this year, the UK Border Agency approved the Tier 5 sponsorship scheme to be administered by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society for a fixed period of 4 years to cover students who are already studying the MPharm before the UKBA rules changed. This scheme was designed to help students undertaking the pre-registration training in community pharmacies where the salary is below the required level of GBP£20,710.
Hospital pre-registration placements pay at this level (£20,710) or higher. If the employer (e.g. hospital) is registered with the UKBA as a Tier 2 sponsor then overseas student can be sponsored for a Tier 2 visa in order to undertake the pre-registration training.
Overseas students completing the MPharm after 2015 will continue to have the option of applying for pre-registration training with employers (mainly, hospitals) who are registered as Tier 2 sponsors with the UKBA and pay £20,710 or above. To date, the UKBA has given no indication that it will close the Tier 2 route.
The Heads of the UK Pharmacy Schools have petitioned the UK government to review the salary level for pre-registration pharmacists and are awaiting a response.
The situation remains fluid and therefore somewhat uncertain, but nevertheless the RPS has already negotiated significant concessions from the government and will continue to exert pressure to ensure that our overseas students enjoy the full benefits of a UK MPharm education and experience.
- Dr. Brian Pearce
Acting Director
UCL School of Pharmacy.
3 September 2012
Page last modified on 03 sep 12 15:09
