Level 3 Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship

At Medipro, we provide a blended learning approach that ensures apprentices develop practical pharmacy skills while applying their knowledge in real-world settings:

• On-the-Job Training – Apprentices gain hands-on experience in dispensing, stock control, and patient care.
• Dedicated Tutor Support – Monthly 1-2-1 coaching and structured progress reviews.
• Blended Learning Model – Online learning, live virtual workshops, and practical pharmacy exercises.
• Employer Access to Aptem – Full visibility of apprentice progress, assessments, and compliance.

Our structured programme ensures apprentices develop real-world pharmacy expertise while maintaining operational responsibilities. Click HERE for a sample e-learning module.

By the end of the programme and to become a Pharmacy Technician, Apprentices must have achieved the following:

• Level 2 functional skills in English & Maths, if not already achieved
• Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians (approved Open Awards)

Learners who successfully complete the apprenticeship will be eligible to apply to the General Pharmaceutical Council as a registered pharmacy technician.

This standard/qualification is based on National Occupational Standards and is recognised by the statutory regulator, the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), as meeting the Initial Education and Training Standards for Pharmacy Technicians (October 2017).

The qualification has been designed to confirm occupational competence for pharmacy technicians working in a pharmacy setting. The qualification meets the requirements of the pharmacy regulator and employer needs in England and Wales. On completion of the qualification and subject to regulatory requirements, it will enable candidates to register with the GPhC as a pharmacy technician.

MANDATORY ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

 GCSE English and Maths at grade C+ (4-9), or equivalent

Due to the level and content of the qualification, to enrol on the Technical Occupational Entry in the Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians (Diploma) you must have already achieved GCSE English and Maths at Grade C (4-9), or equivalent, prior to joining the course.

International qualifications English and Maths

Where you have achieved an international qualification for English and / or Maths, you must provide a “Statement of Comparability” which you can obtain from UK ENIC https://www.enic.org.uk/individuals/statement-of-comparability

Where the statement confirms your international qualification(s) is equivalent to UK GCSE, grade C+ (4-9)  this will be accepted as achievement for entry to this qualification.

If you do not provide a “Statement of Comparability”, or statement provided confirms that your international qualification(s) is NOT equivalent to UK GCSE, grade C+ (4-9), this entry requirement cannot be accepted as achieved, therefore you would not be able to join the course.

Without exception you must have already achieved Maths and English GCSE grade C (4-9 numeric) or equivalent, before joining this course. 

 ADDITIONAL MANDATORY ENTRY REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE:

 Be employed in a suitable pharmacy related workplace

1. Work-based experience must be undertaken in the UK, and
   1. under the supervision, direction or guidance of a pharmacist or pharmacy technician to whom you are directly accountable
   2. for a minimum of 14 hours per week over a two-year period, excluding justified absence such as sickness, maternity, paternity or adoption leave and holidays
2. Good character checks:
   1. Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
   2. Provide a character reference or contact for referee.
3. Health checks:
   1. A health declaration to establish “fitness to practise”, e.g. to seek information about any conditions that may affect the applicant’s fitness to practice and how any such conditions will be managed.

We provide full wraparound support to help employers maximise their investment in apprenticeships:

✔ Recruitment Assistance – Helping you find aspiring pharmacy professionals.
✔ Government Funding Guidance – Accessing 95% funding if you’re a non-levy payer.
✔ No National Insurance Contributions – Employers pay no NI for apprentices under 25 (up to £50,000 salary).
✔ Regular Progress Reviews – Ensuring your apprentice develops in line with pharmacy standards.
✔ Dedicated Safeguarding Support – 24/7 access to our learner safeguarding app for wellbeing support.

From May 2025 until 31 October 2025 Community pharmacies can now access £15,053 per year, per trainee for two years to support the training of Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technicians (PTPTs) through the Level 3 Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship. Click HERE to find out more

Who is the Level 3 Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship for?

This apprenticeship is for learners employed in a suitable pharmacy setting who want to train towards becoming a Pharmacy Technician while working.

Do I need to already have a job in pharmacy before I apply?

Yes. This is one of the most important points to make clear. Learners must be employed, or be in a training role, in a suitable pharmacy-related workplace, within the UK so they can develop competence and complete the required tasks.

Can Medipro find me a pharmacy job?

A learner must already have an employer able to support the apprenticeship before the programme can start. Once that employer support is in place, Medipro can guide the employer and apprentice through the enrolment process, eligibility checks and next steps. We do from time to time get employer specific request to support them fill various roles, these vacancies can be found following this LINK.

I want to become a Pharmacy Technician. What should I do first?

The first step is to secure a suitable employed role in a pharmacy setting with an employer willing to support your apprenticeship. After that, Medipro can check that the workplace, supervision and entry requirements are in place before enrolment.

What counts as a suitable pharmacy workplace?

The workplace must allow the apprentice to build and evidence the knowledge, skills and behaviours required by the qualification and apprenticeship. The specification says learners must have access to suitable supervision, pharmacy professionals, role models and multidisciplinary teams. You also need to complete off the job hours which is 6 hours a week.

How long does the apprenticeship take?

The duration as 24 months.

How is the apprenticeship delivered?

The apprenticeship is delivered online through a blended learning model, with live virtual workshops, practical pharmacy exercises, monthly 1-to-1 tutor support and structured progress reviews. It also says employers can monitor progress through Aptem.

What will I learn on the apprenticeship?

Apprentices will learn dispensing and medicine management, clinical governance and patient safety, supporting patients and healthcare teams, stock management, public health and legal and ethical responsibilities.

What qualification will I achieve?

Apprentices must achieve the Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians.

Will this make me a registered Pharmacy Technician?

Successful completion makes the apprentice eligible to apply to the General Pharmaceutical Council as a registered Pharmacy Technician, subject to regulatory requirements.

What are the entry requirements?

Apprentices must already have GCSE English and Maths at grade C or grade 4 and above, or an equivalent qualification, before joining. International qualifications must be supported by a UK ENIC Statement of Comparability.

Do I need English and Maths before I start?

Yes. GCSE English and Maths at the required level must already be achieved before joining this course.

Do I need a DBS check and health checks?

Yes. The qualification specification requires good character checks such as a DBS and health checks linked to fitness to practise.

What support does my employer need to provide?

The employer must provide a suitable pharmacy role, supervision by a pharmacist or pharmacy technician, enough work-based opportunities to develop and evidence competence, and support for progress reviews and workplace assessment. We also require a learning agreement before the course starts, with roles and responsibilities clearly defined between employer, learner and provider.

How is the apprenticeship assessed?

Learners complete a portfolio of evidence and must be assessed in their own workplace and in line with the employer’s standard operating procedures. Evidence can include written assignments, examinations, observations, questioning, practical activities, reflective logs, project work and witness testimony.

Can I do this apprenticeship part-time?

Apprentice must be employed in a suitable role for a minimum of 14 hours per week over the two-year period and can meet the training and evidence requirements.

What is the difference between this apprenticeship page and the commercial diploma page?

The key difference is the route. The qualification specification states that if the trainee Pharmacy Technician is employed as an apprentice, they must complete the integrated apprenticeship version of the qualification. Learners cannot be transferred between the apprenticeship and technical occupational entry routes later.