English Language Test
Guidance on what English Language tests are required and why it’s so important for non-native health and social care workers…
Guidance on what English Language tests is required and why it’s so important for non-native health and social care workers wanting to move to the UK.
Please select from the options below, which will take you to an information hub specific to your profession.
Guidance on what English Language tests are required and why it’s so important for non-native health and social care workers…
Guidance on what English Language tests is required and why it’s so important for non-native health and social care workers wanting to move to the UK.
Please select from the options below, which will take you to an information hub specific to your profession.
- English language requirements for Doctors
- English language requirements for Nurses
- English language requirements for Social Workers
- English language requirements for Healthcare Assistant
English Language Testing – For Doctors
To be a doctor in the UK, you essentially need two key things: relevant qualifications and experience, and good English language skills.
Before you contact us, you’ll need to already speak decent English – and we’ll assess this on our first call. But before you can become a doctor in the UK, you’ll need to pass the IELTS with an overall score of at least 7.5, and a minimum of 7 for each section. That’s why your English skills are so important, and why you should be working on them right away.
What is the IELTS?
The International English Language Testing System, or IELTS, is an international test of English language proficiency for non-native English language speakers. IELTS is the only English Language Test approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) for visa customers applying from both outside and inside the UK.
Importantly, you must complete the ‘academic version’ of the IELTS, according to the GMC’s requirements
Things you need to know:
- The attachment is unpaid
- Accommodation is usually provided
- You will need to be on attachment for at least 30 days as part of the GMC requirement
- If have a valid IELTS score (within 2 years) that is below the GMC standard, the attachment might not be an option (dependent on score)
- Not all hospitals are offering this
- Not all grades/ job roles will be considered – normally only positions with a large shortage of doctors will be applicable due to the timescale and engagement required to ensure this process is successful
Why is the IELTS so important?
It’s very simple: to be a doctor in the UK, you must complete the IELTS first. Your career in the UK depends on it.
But more than that, it represents a level of English skill that will make your life in the UK much more fulfilling. You’ll be better at your job, you’ll settle more comfortably into British life, and you’ll find it much easier to get things done. Furthermore, it’s also a requirement for immigration to Australia and New Zealand, and to get into the UK’s world-renowned universities.
Best of all, your CV will look so much stronger with an IELTS score of 7.5 or more. Improving your English will improve your career prospects immediately.
What IELTS score is needed to become a doctor in the UK?
- At least 7.0 in the listening and reading sections
- At least 7.0 in the writing and speaking sections
- At least 7.5 (out of a possible 9) overall
Is there any other way to gain GMC Registration without the IELTS?
Yes – You can choose to complete a 30-day attachment with an NHS Hospital, who will make a comprehensive judgement on your English language skills. In order to be eligible, you will need to attend a Skype interview with the NHS hospital. If successful, you will then be offered an attachment.
As part of the attachment, you will work in-depth with the department, shadowing both Consultants and other colleagues supporting with some of their duties including:
- Teaching junior doctors / nurses
- Taking patient history and making correct notes
- Interaction with colleagues and meetings
- Support with referral letters
- Take part in clinical handovers
- Read patient notes, blood results, feedback accurately
The hospitals Responsible Officer will then support your application to the GMC by authorising the “Structured English Language Reference” form (SELR). They have a duty to ensure safe medical practice and competence of your English language skills.
Things you need to know:
- The attachment is unpaid
- Accommodation is usually provided
- You will need to be on attachment for at least 30 days as part of the GMC requirement
- If have a valid IELTS score (within 2 years) that is below the GMC standard, the attachment might not be an option (dependent on score)
- Not all hospitals are offering this
- Not all grades/ job roles will be considered – normally only positions with a large shortage of doctors will be applicable due to the timescale and engagement required to ensure this process is successful
Typical job roles accepted:
- Emergency Medicine – Consultant and Specialist
- Internal Medicine – Consultant Level (such as Acute Medicine, Gastroenterology, Stroke, Care of the Elderly)
- Radiology – Consultant
English Language Testing For Nurses in the UK
To be a nurse in the UK, you essentially need two key things: relevant qualifications and experience, and good English language skills. If you were trained in a country that is not classed as a native English-speaking country, you’ll need to either pass the IELTS or the Occupational English Test (OET) with satisfactory scores in listening, reading, speaking and writing.
What pieces of evidence are accepted by the NMC?
To register with the NMC, you will need to be able to satisfy them that you have the necessary knowledge of English to communicate clearly and effectively.
Communication is defined as speaking, reading, listening and writing and your evidence to the NMC will need to demonstrate competence in these four mandatory skills.
This will mean you either:
- Have recently achieved the required score in one of the English language tests accepted by the NMC, either the IELTS or the OET You must achieve the required score in each of the four skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking.
- Have a recent pre-registration nursing, midwifery or nursing associate qualification which was taught and examined in English.
- You have recent practice of at least one year in a majority English speaking country. This generally means if you have been registered with the NMC within the last two years; or if you have met the practice hours requirements of either 450 hours in the previous three years or 750 hours in the previous five years in a majority English-speaking country
What is the IELTS?
The International English Language Testing System, or IELTS, is an international test of English language proficiency. There are a number of countries where IELTS is non-mandatory for NMC registration. Click here to see which countries are exempt.
IELTS is the only English Language Test approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) for visa customers applying from both outside and inside the UK.
Importantly, you must complete the ‘academic version’ of the IELTS, according to the NMC’s requirements.
What IELTS score is needed to become a nurse in the UK?
You must complete the academic version of the IELTS test and achieve:
- At least 7.0 in the listening, speaking and reading sections
- At least 6.5 in the writing sections
- At least 7.0 (out of a possible 9) overall
What is the OET?
The Occupational English Test (also known as OET) is an international English language test for the healthcare sector. It assesses the language communication skills of healthcare professionals who wish to register and practise in an English-speaking environment. This was introduced by the NMC on 1st November as an alternative to the IELTS.
What OET score is needed to become a nurse in the UK?
- at least a B grade in listening, reading and speaking, and
- at least a C+ grade in writing
Why is IELTS/OET so important?
It’s very simple: to be a nurse in the UK, you must complete the IELTS/OET first, unless you have been trained in a native English-speaking country. Your career in the UK depends on it.
But more than that, it represents a level of English skill that will make your life in the UK much more fulfilling. You’ll be better at your job, you’ll settle more comfortably into British life, and you’ll find it much easier to get things done.
Best of all, your CV will look so much stronger with an IELTS/OET pass. Improving your English will improve your career prospects immediately.
English Language Testing – For Social Workers
To be a Social Worker in the UK, you essentially need two key things: relevant qualifications and experience, and good English language skills.
Before you contact us, you’ll need to already speak decent English – and we’ll assess this on our first call. But before you can become a Social Worker in the UK, you’ll need to pass the IELTS with an overall score of at least 7.0, and a minimum of 6.5 for each section. That’s why your English skills are so important, and why you should be working on them right away.
What is the IELTS?
The International English Language Testing System, or IELTS, is an international test of English language proficiency for non-native English language speakers. IELTS is the only English Language Test approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) for visa customers applying from both outside and inside the UK.
Importantly, you must complete the ‘general version’ and ‘academic version’ of the IELTS, according to the HCPC’s requirements.
Why is the IELTS so important?
It’s very simple: to be a Social Worker in the UK, you must complete the IELTS first. Your career in the UK depends on it.
But more than that, it represents a level of English skill that will make your life in the UK much more fulfilling. You’ll be better at your job, you’ll settle more comfortably into British life, and you’ll find it much easier to get things done. Furthermore, it’s also a requirement for immigration to Australia and New Zealand, and to get into the UK’s world-renowned universities.
Best of all, your CV will look so much stronger with an IELTS score of 7.0 or more. Improving your English will improve your career prospects immediately.
What IELTS score is needed to become a social worker in the UK?
You must complete the academic version of the IELTS test and achieve:
- At least 6.5 in the listening and reading sections
- Taking patient history and making correct notes
- At least 6.5 in the writing and speaking sections
- At least 7.0 (out of a possible 9) overall
The HCPC will not accept applicants who score lower than this standard and the IELTS scores are valid for two years.