December 6, 2019, by Mei Kee Lee
Alumni Testimonial: Cheng Jian Hao (2016)
Opting to do MPharm degree at UoN was the best decision I have ever made. Why?
Environment-wise, we have a REAL campus that every university student should enjoy and be proud of! The campus itself is beautiful and makes you feel at home. Before coming to UK, I was filled with self-doubt and was apprehensive about beginning a new life in this country. However, the transition was unexpectedly smooth – it all started with a holiday mood (summer break), and then OMG, it’s UK! Nottingham is definitely a great city to live; with moderate living cost, an advanced transportation system, and accessible oriental shops and restaurants to cure your Asian cravings. Most importantly, Nottingham is a strategic location to travel by train or by plane to other parts of UK or to Europe!
Education-wise, you get full support throughout your learning even until now, as an alumni. A month ago (at the time of writing), we were invited to a pre-registration assessment event organised by the School of Pharmacy. I am currently completing pre-registration year at Stockbridge Pharmacy in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is another step forward to push myself out of my comfort zone and to challenge myself. Just look at my photo, these people are from my MPharm batch with two juniors, and all of us are staying in the UK as students, pharmacists, pre-reg pharmacist and a PhD student, indeed there are all sorts of opportunities here!
Ours was the first batch of graduates under the new pre-reg assessment syllabus. We were also the first batch of international students subjected to the Tier 2 visa sponsorship issues. I must admit that it was tough, but we managed to overcome this hurdle with support from the School of Pharmacy, UoN. By the end of Year 3, we started receiving emails from the lecturers about pre-reg application and preparation with lots of opportunities and directions to get a pre-reg pharmacist position in England, Scotland and Ireland. I would say finding a pre-reg job is not impossible, and here are some tips:
• Always check your inbox for advertising emails sent by the School of Pharmacy.
• Keep in touch with seniors as their pharmacy might be looking for the next candidate.
• Apply for pre-reg posts in the hospital, or in Scotland, as their annual salaries meet the Tier 2 visa requirement at the time of writing.
I would also like to use this opportunity to thank the School of Pharmacy for supporting and guiding us wholeheartedly, when no one has a clue about the Tier 2 Visa changes. Almost all who wanted to stay back have successfully secured pre-reg positions in the UK.
Good luck to everyone who is registering to do the 2+2 MPharm soon, and enjoy your university life to the MAX!
Jian Hao is currently a relief Pharmacist in Boots Pharmacy, covering stores around Lincolnshire, UK.
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