United Kingdom, BPSA

Total number of places per year (approximately)

Area possibilities

Mainly: Community

Medium number: Hospital

Currently no possibility: Industry

University/Academia activities: Assisting in lab-based research in an academic setting.

Community activities: You will generally assist in dispensing prescriptions, selling over-the-counter medication, and interacting with patients and other healthcare professionals.

Length of training periods

We offer 2 weeks placements.

An ideal time would be 2 weeks minimum to allow you to get the most out of your UK experience. You can request a 1 week long placement if this is easiest for you as the UK is an expensive place to stay, or if you'd like more time to explore our beautiful cities. (You must work a minimum of 40 hours in order to have a successful SEP).

Available months and cities

This 2023/24 mandate we will be sending students to a variety of cities, including: London, Birmingham, Portsmouth, Leicester, Manchester, Leeds and Newcastle!

(Please be aware that the price of accommodation in the UK, especially big cities like London, will be very high).

Winter SEP 2024: January - March / Summer SEP 2024: June - August*

Other months/cities are sometimes available on a case to case basis, please feel free to ask.

Type accommodation

Previous incoming students have used student accommodation at universities, hotels, friends and family or Air B&B.

Accommodation WILL NOT be funded.

The cost of accommodation will range from 200 - 400 pounds sterling per week. Accommodation in London WILL be more expensive.

If you have family or friends that you can visit in the UK, ask if you can stay with them. If you want to take part in a SEP close to your family, ask your home Student Exchange Officer (SEO) to contact the UK SEO and special arrangements might be able to be arranged for you (such as community placement/university placement near your family/friends home).

Students who have visited the UK in previous years have stayed with friends and family for free during their placements!

Board, pocket money or other financial benefits/remuneration

Incoming students are required to cover all costs INCLUDING accommodation and travel. The SEO and our Local Exchange Officers (LEO) will try their best to find you accommodation for free or at minimum costs. However, expect to pay for accommodation.

You will not be paid for your placement. Please budget accordingly.

Language requirements

All incoming students should be fluent in English. If you are working in community, you will be expected to work in team environment and interact with patients - you must be fully comfortable with everyday English conversations. Note that language certifications are not required for proof of fluency. But to give you an idea of the level need, it would be the following: -TOEFL 100 overall -IELTS 7 overall

Other requirements

Previous experience in a pharmacy setting is required by most hosts and they may prefer if you are in your final or penultimate year of study. If you are on a 5 or 6 year course I will consider your application on a case-by-case basis regardless of year of study. This is usually more the case for academic placements.

You may also be required to obtain a Disclosure Letter from your local authorities i.e. the police demonstrating you have never had a criminal record etc. This is essential, if requested.

Information on Work Permits and Visa

Students coming to the UK from countries outside the European Union (EU) may require a Tourist Visa. European countries (including EU and non-EU), will need to check what requirements they need before travelling to the United Kingdom.

If you require a more complex visa or proof of travel. Students will be provided with an invitation letter from our SEO that can be taken to the British Embassy in your country describing the reason for travel being an experiential placement. This should be requested by the student to the UK SEO.

Students won't require working visas: a tourist visa will do just fine usually.