How to become a Pharmacist
The medicines expert — increasingly clinical and prescribing, in hospitals, GP practices and the community. MPharm + foundation training.
Entry routes
- From Pharmacy Technician: MPharm degree + foundation training year (~4 yrs)
What you'll need
Qualifications
Registration
- GPhC registration (pharmacy)
Admin
- UCAS / university application (degree route)
Funding
- Funding or apprenticeship sponsorship
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Qualifications, cost & duration
MPharm (Master of Pharmacy) + foundation training
Level 7 · ~60 months · ~£9,535
4-year integrated master's via student finance + 1 foundation training year; leads to GPhC registration.
A typical path
£25,272 now → £39,959 in ~7 yrs
- £25,272
Healthcare Assistant
Year 0 · Band 2 · entry
- £25,272
Pharmacy Assistant
Year 0.5 · Band 2 · entry
- £28,392
Pharmacy Technician
Year 2.5 · Band 4 · entry
- £31,157
Pharmacy Technician
Year 5.5 · Band 4 · top
- £39,959
Pharmacist
Year 6.5 · Band 6 · entry
- £42,170
Pharmacist
Year 8.5 · Band 6 · intermediate
Common questions
How long does it take to become a Pharmacist?
5 years (MPharm + foundation) — see the step-by-step timeline above for a typical path.
See what you'd earn as a Pharmacist
Build your personalised forecast and skills plan — free to start.
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Indicative — England 2026/27 Agenda for Change basic pay, excludes High Cost Area Supplements, unsocial-hours and overtime. Typical timings are national averages, not guarantees. Not financial advice. See data sources.