Foundation Training Year

New Standards for the Initial Education and Training of pharmacists were introduced by the Pharmaceutical Society NI and the General Pharmaceutical Council in 2021. The new Standards cover the first five years of the training continuum and refer to the four-year MPharm degree, followed by the Foundation Training Year (FTY). Currently, the FTY programme is changing year on year to introduce the changes required with full application of the new Standards anticipated by 2025/2026.

The FTY is a 12 month period of work-based learning and formal learning to be completed prior to registering as a pharmacist. It allows Trainee Pharmacists the opportunity to demonstrate that they can act independently and consistently and apply their knowledge, understanding and professional behaviours within the clinical workplace setting. Within the clinical workplace, Trainee Pharmacists are required to demonstrate their competence against a range of learning outcomes which can be evidenced by the completion of mandatory practice activities within an ePortfolio. Trainee Pharmacists are mentored within the workplace by a registered pharmacist, known as the Educational Supervisor (ES) who reviews Trainee Pharmacist progress, providing formative feedback on an ongoing basis.

During the FTY, Trainee Pharmacists are required to attend development day sessions which support the development of the knowledge, skills and attributes required of a pharmacist. The development day sessions also support Trainee Pharmacists to prepare for the Common Registration Assessment (CRA) which is typically undertaken at the end of the FTY.

Currently in NI, Trainee Pharmacists can complete their FTY in either the hospital or community pharmacy sectors. This can comprise of 12 months in the community pharmacy sector or a multi-sectoral placement consisting of 6 months in each sector. Pharmacy students must apply to undertake their FTY in a pharmacy site(s) of interest to them. Recruitment for FTY typically takes place in the third year of the MPharm programme. Students must secure a work placement before applying to undertake the FTY. The application process for FTY in NI is a two-stage process. Students must first apply to be admitted to the Student Register of the Pharmaceutical Society NI. Following successful application, students will then be invited to apply to the FTY programme run by NICPLD.

The Standards for Foundation Training Year is a document produced by the Pharmaceutical Society NI that sets out the requirements for the 12-month programme and applies to Trainee Pharmacists, prospective Trainee Pharmacists, Educational Supervisors and employing organisations. Students should read these standards prior to beginning the application process.

Further information relating to the FTY for prospective Trainee Pharmacists and Educational Supervisors/Employers can be found below.

• Information for prospective trainees
• Information for Educational Supervisors/Employers
• Podcasts

General Form
New to Northern Ireland checklist
Flow chart of application process
Application process guidance

ES accreditation is an annual process and further information on this will follow in early 2024.

General Form
ES accreditation process flowchart
Flow chart of application process
Application process guidance

Overview of the Foundation Training Year in NI
For an overview of what is involved in the Foundation Training Year, listen to our podcast containing lots of hints and tips from the NICPLD team, a current trainee pharmacist, Jathan Low and a newly qualified pharmacist who has just completed FTY in August 2023, Cassie McCullough. Fallback text or alternative content for non-supported browsers.

The Foundation Training Year Application Process
Listen to FTY Lead Pharmacist, Mairead Conlon in conversation with Laura Hughes, Registrar of the Pharmaceutical Society of NI and Dr Heather Bell, Associate Postgraduate Dean at NICPLD, as they discuss how to apply to the Foundation Training Year 2024/25. Fallback text or alternative content for non-supported browsers.