Employer Information and FAQs
To recruit via Oriel, and employ a foundation trainee pharmacist, employers must register their programme information and sign up to the Terms of Participation each year during the registration window.
The employer registration window is open from early January and will close on the first Tuesday of March at 12:00 Midday, for the following foundation training year. For example, if you want to employ a foundation trainee pharmacist to start in the summer of 2027, employers will need to follow the registration process which happens during Jan and Feb of 2026. The registration process for employing a foundation trainee pharmacist in the summer of 2026 is closed.
Foundation Trainee Pharmacists cannot be employed outside of the National Recruitment Scheme.
Please read this information available below before signing up to the scheme via our online form. NOTE: The online registration form is only available during the registration window.
2027-28 Foundation Training Year
Registration for employers opens each year in early January and closes on the first Tuesday in March at 12:00 Midday.
Once you have registered, regional leads review the programme information submitted to ensure it complies with NHS England's statutory responsibilities.
If any programme information requires amendment, a representative will be in touch, via email, with employers during March and April. However the quality and detail of the programme information (for example typos, information length etc) remains the responsibility of the employer. NHS England will not be reviewing this on behalf of employers.
Employer details and programme information will be available on the Oriel platform from early June for prospective applicants to view.
More information is available via the FAQs below to support you with finding your programme information
2026-27 Foundation Training Year and start dates
Employers have been informed whether their programmes have been filled and should get in touch with applicants to confirm employment contract information.
More information is available via the FAQs below to support you with accessing application forms.
To support consistent inductions and appropriate allocation of staff, employers must ensure trainees begin their training on a suitable date within the below windows:
Summer window: 13 July 2026 to 3 August 2026
In exceptional circumstances only; Autumn window: 19 October 2026 to 9 November 2026
Frequently Asked Question
How do I view programme information on Oriel?
Following your registration onto the National Recruitment scheme, your programme information will be live on the Oriel system from early June for you to view.
Please access the document for the step by step guide.
How do I view programme information via an excel spreadsheet?
The Pharmacy Employers and Programme Information spreadsheets below list all the employer programmes which were advertised in 2025 for the 2026-27 intake. These include details on hours and salary stipulated to support drawing up employment contracts.
What happens if I miss the deadline for registering to recruit for foundation trainee pharmacist(s)?
Unfortunately we have to work to strict deadlines and are not able to accept late submissions. The process opens each year in early January and closes on the 1st Tuesday of March at 12:00 Midday.
I cannot find the appropriate Location (sector) within the options given, what can I do?
The location (sectors) listed are agreed nationally and are fixed. Please select the location (sector) that best fits your location.
What happens if I am unable to facilitate the foundation training year places due to branch closure/loss of an designated supervisor?
In this instance you would need to inform your Regional Pharmacy Leads as soon as possible, contact details can be found below.
What are the Terms of Participation for the 2025-26 training year?
If you signed up to recruit for the 2025-26 foundation training year during 2024, or you are a new owner of an organisation, refer to the TOPs for the 25-26 training year below.
What are the Terms of Participation for the 2026-27 training year?
If you signed up to recruit for the 2026-27 foundation training year during 2025, or you are a new owner of an organisation, refer to the TOPs for the 26-27 training year below.
What are the Terms of Participation for the 2027-28 training year?
If you sign up to recruit for the 2027-28 foundation training year during 2026, refer to the TOPs for the 27-28 training year below.
How do I log into Oriel to access my applicant(s) application forms?
The Oriel system is an open access website which means that anyone can view what is on there. However when you need to access applicant information, you will need to use the secure site which is https://www.oriel.nhs.uk/Web/ and will require your log in details. If you do not have log in details please get in touch with the Recruitment Team directly.
What do I do if my applicant requires a Skilled Worker Visa sponsorship?
As an employer you can choose to offer a programme that provides Skilled Worker Visa sponsorship which is subject to the correct licence being in place and a salary and weekly working hours meeting the required threshold.
For visa related information please visit the Home Office website via the link below.
Most applicants requiring Skilled Worker Visa sponsorship will have a Tier 4 student visa and be looking to switch to a Skilled Worker Visa for their foundation training year..
What are the changes to foundation training from 2025?
The 2021 standards for the initial education and training of pharmacists (IETP) introduced a new set of learning outcomes that cover the full five years of education and training. These revised learning outcomes include pharmacist independent prescribing.
NHS England's role in pharmacist foundation training
Pharmacist foundation training is designed to give trainee pharmacists the support, direction, information and resources they need to bridge the transition from studying to registering as pharmacists. The GPhC has set out our role in the managing the quality of all foundation training sites in England and delegated a range of responsibilities to us as part of this. We provide a practice-based assessment strategy which includes assessment activities and assessment tools, an E-portfolio, virtual learning and information resources. These resources support the assurance of quality in the foundation training and assessment of all trainee pharmacists in England.
More information is available via the link below.
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