Pharmacists with a foreign degree
To facilitate the entry of pharmacists with a foreign degree into the Swedish labor market, Uppsala University offers a Complementary programme and a Proficiency test as a path to Swedish pharmacist license. In 2022, we developed our Complementary programme with a third semester with a focus on language.
On behalf of the Ministry of Education and the National Board of Health and Welfare, Uppsala University coordinates and provides a Complementary programme for pharmacists with a foreign degree. The training is given full-time, is mostly web-based and the participants currently account for more than one in three applications for Swedish pharmacist license. Today, many of our alumni work in sparsely populated regions where their skills are highly needed.
Eligibility for the programme requires foreign pharmacy training and documented knowledge of the English and Swedish languages. For several participants, however, lack of language skills are challenging. Therefore, in 2022 we introduced a third semester: Language introduction to academic studies for foreign pharmacists (Språkintroduktion till akademiska studier för utländska apotekare), designed in collaboration with the Faculty of Pharmacy and Uppsala University's Department of Nordic Languages.
When applying for the education, you assess your linguistic skills in the Swedish language. You who state that you have sufficient language skills must demonstrate this in a language test whose level corresponds to the Test i svenska för universitets- och högskolestudier (Test in Swedish for university and college studies).
Proficiency test for Pharmacists with a Foreign Degree
In order to work as a licensed pharmacist in Sweden, you first need to show that you have the knowledge and skills that correspond to the requirements of the Swedish pharmacy degree. One way to show that is to take a proficiency test. The test is free of charge and is organised several times a year.
You with a foreign pharmacist or prescriptionist degree who have received the National Board of Health and Welfare's decision that you are qualified can register for the knowledge test that is conducted in Uppsala
The test has two parts. A theoretical part and a practical part, taken on separate days in Uppsala. Both parts are split into different sections. You need to receive a passing grade in each section on the same occasion in order to pass that part of the proficiency test. You have a total of five attempts to pass the theory test and three attempts to pass the practical test. From the first test, you have a total of five years to pass the entire proficiency test.
The test is administered in Swedish. A part of the theoretical test includes a scientific article in English, but with associated questions in Swedish.
Contakt • Proficiency test for pharmacists with a foreign degree