Information, advice and guidance for prospective pharmacy learners · Ref PPets-IAG-01 · v1.0, 7 August 2026

Before you enrol

Choosing a pharmacy qualification is an investment of your money, your time and your energy. This page gives you the honest picture of what our programmes involve, who they suit, and what you need in place before you start, so you can decide with confidence. If anything is unclear, contact us at admin@ppets.co.uk before you commit to anything.

The two qualifications we offer

Level 2 Pharmacy Support Staff (Certificate)

Open Awards Level 2 Technical Occupational Entry in the Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Support Staff (Certificate) (RQF), 610/4508/1. Six units, 36 credits, designed around a 12-month plan; quicker completion (6 to 8 months) is possible if you progress well.

It trains you to work safely and effectively as pharmacy support staff: teamwork and communication, person-centred care, health and safety, your role and development, dispensing, and stock management. You join at the start of any unit and learn through online lessons, a weekly 1.5-hour class, and your everyday work.

Level 3 Pharmacy Technician (Diploma)

Open Awards Level 3 Technical Occupational Entry in the Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians (Diploma) (RQF), 610/4031/9. Twenty-one units, 132 credits, over a minimum of 24 months of supervised work-based training.

It is recognised by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), and on successful completion you are eligible to apply to register as a pharmacy technician. Entry requires GCSE English and maths at grade C/4 or above (or an accepted equivalent such as Functional Skills Level 2), a satisfactory good-character check, and a health check; a Level 2 science qualification is recommended. If your qualifications were awarded outside the UK, you will need a UK ENIC Statement of Comparability together with your original certificates or transcript, and both must be submitted with your application. If your ENIC Statement is still being processed, apply anyway and email it to admin@ppets.co.uk when it arrives — your place cannot be confirmed until we have it. The ENIC Statement establishes the level of your qualification but does not comment on grades or subjects, which is why we also need your certificates.

What every learner needs before enrolling

How you are assessed

Knowledge is assessed through workbooks marked on your e-portfolio. Skills are assessed on real work only: workplace observations by your assessor, professional discussions, reflective accounts countersigned by a registered pharmacy professional, and (at Level 2) a 200-item dispensing log and a manager appraisal.

You can book a one-to-one session with your tutor at any time that suits you, as often as you need, at no extra cost — for a topic that isn’t clicking, feedback before you submit evidence, or simply getting back on track.

There are no exams. Simulation is not used at Level 2 and is a last resort at Level 3. Deadlines are clear and support is always available; if you have a disability, learning difference or health condition, reasonable adjustments can be put in place, so tell us early.

Where it can take you

Level 2 prepares you for a skilled support role and is the natural stepping stone to the Level 3 Diploma. Level 3 leads to eligibility to apply for GPhC registration as a pharmacy technician, a regulated professional role with routes into hospital, community, primary care, and beyond, including accuracy checking and specialist roles.

Deciding and applying

Talk to your employer first: their support and your workplace’s suitability matter as much as your own commitment. Then contact admin@ppets.co.uk and we will talk through your circumstances honestly, including whether now is the right time and which level fits. If you decide to proceed, we will arrange the workplace assessment and your enrolment.

Impartial careers information is also available from the National Careers Service if you want independent advice.

This is a controlled document (PPets-IAG-01, v1.0, 7 August 2026), approved by Daniel Dicker, Director.