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

Both are regulated qualifications: they sit on the Regulated Qualifications Framework and are awarded by Open Awards, an Ofqual-recognised awarding organisation. That means the units, assessment criteria and grading are set by Open Awards rather than by us, our assessment decisions are externally quality assured by them, and your certificate is issued and recorded by Open Awards independently of PPets. You can look either qualification up by number on the public register of regulated qualifications before you commit to anything.

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 that runs from your own induction date; quicker completion (6 to 8 months) is possible if you progress well. Note that certificates are claimed from Open Awards only once your fee is paid in full, so if you finish early while paying by instalments, your certificate follows your final payment.

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 one-hour class, and your everyday work.

Fee: £1,600 paying in full, or £1,680 by instalments. First payment: £200 — the first instalment of your fee, not a charge on top. It fixes your price and covers Open Awards registration. Nothing to pay when you apply. Live class: One hour, once a week, attendance expected. Full breakdown on the course fees page.

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 (formerly UK NARIC) 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.

Fee: £3,500 paying in full, or £3,675 by instalments. First payment: £500 — the first instalment of your fee, not a charge on top. It fixes your price and covers Open Awards registration. Nothing to pay when you apply. Live class: One hour, once a week, attendance expected. Full breakdown on the course fees page.

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.

When you are ready, apply online. The form asks three short questions to make sure you end up on the right course, then takes about two minutes — you do not need any documents to hand, and there is nothing to pay at that stage.

1. You apply. Three questions, then a short form.
2. Daniel emails you within two working days. He reads every application himself.
3. You send your certificates by email and we arrange a short online admission interview.
4. The interview. An honest conversation about whether the course is right for you and whether your pharmacy can support it.
5. First payment. £200 for Level 2 or £500 for Level 3 — the first instalment of your fee, which fixes your price and covers your Open Awards registration.
6. Induction. Both levels run rolling cohorts, so there is no fixed intake to wait for — once you are registered and ready, your cohort normally begins within about four weeks. We confirm your date with you.

Still weighing it up, or not sure which level fits? Answer three quick questions, book a free 30-minute call, or email admin@ppets.co.uk with a question. We would rather talk it through than have you enrol on the wrong thing.

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

This is a controlled document (PPets-IAG-01, v1.1, 3 September 2026) — updated to reflect the online application process, fees, payments and class days. Pending re-approval by Daniel Dicker, Director.