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Latest Changes to the English Language requirements for International nursing vacancies in the UK.

Posted: Thu Nov 28, 2019 5:18 am
by Kunle Emmanuel
Latest Changes to the English Language requirements for International nursing vacancies in the UK.

From Tuesday 28 January 2020, we’ll accept an OET certificate that confirms you scored a minimum of C+ in writing alongside a minimum of B in reading, listening and speaking, so long as you achieved the minimum overall score of B.

Our Council agreed this change at their meeting on Wednesday 27 November 2019.

We’ll be updating our guidance to reflect the change when it comes into effect on Tuesday 28 January 2020. Our current requirements, as set out in the guidance below, are in effect until then.

We accept two language tests as evidence of your ability to communicate effectively in English: the International English Language Test System (IELTS) and the Occupational English Test (OET).

You must achieve the required score in each of the four areas of reading, writing, listening and speaking. Test scores are valid for two years.

International English Language Test System (IELTS)
We'll accept an IELTS Academic examination certificate that confirms you achieved:

an overall score of at least 7
at least 6.5 in the writing section and at least 7 in the reading, listening and speaking sections.
We updated this requirement on Wednesday 5 December 2018.

Combining IELTS test scores
You can achieve the required mark across two test sittings if:

you sit the tests within six months of each other
you’re tested in all four sections at the same time
all scores in both sittings are above 6.5, and
you achieve at least 6.5 in the writing section and at least 7 in the reading, listening and speaking sections in either of the two test sittings.
Examples of combining IELTS scores
Occupational English Test (OET)
We’ll accept an OET examination certificate that confirms you achieved:

at least a B grade in the writing, reading, listening and speaking sections.
Combining OET test scores
You can achieve the required mark across two test sittings if:

you sit the tests within six months of each other
you’re tested in all four sections at the same time
all grades in both sittings are above Grade C+, and
you achieve Grade B or higher in all four sections when the results of both sittings are viewed together.

Last updated: 27/11/2019

The NMC are the professional regulator for nurses, midwives and nursing associates. We work to ensure these professionals have the knowledge and skills to deliver consistent, quality care that keeps people safe.