NHS Requirements On IELTS & OET Tests

From the NHS:

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.

We accept both the paper based and computer based IELTS Academic test delivered at a test centre.

Combining IELTS test scores

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

• You sit the tests within 12 months of each other
• You’re tested in all four sections at the same time
• You achieve at least 7 for reading, listening, and speaking, and at least 6.5 for writing in at least one of the two test sittings and
• No scores in either of the two test sittings are below 6.5 for listening, reading, and speaking, or below 6 for writing

Occupational English Test (OET)

We’ll accept an OET examination certificate that confirms you achieved:

• At least a grade C+ in the writing section
• At least a grade B in the reading, listening and speaking sections.

We updated this requirement on Tuesday 28 January 2020.

Combining OET test scores

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

• You sit the tests within 12 months of each other
• You’re tested in all four sections at the same time
• You achieve at least grade B (350-440) for reading, listening and speaking, and at least grade C+ (300-340) for writing in at least one of the two test sittings and
• No scores in either of the two test sittings are below grade C+ (300-340) for listening, reading, and speaking, or below grade C (250-290) for writing

Submitting your evidence

If you’re submitting an OET certificate as part of your application, you’ll need to give us permission to verify your results through your myOET account.

Find out how to give a verification institution access to your results on the OET website.