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NMC, UK announces flexibility for foreign Nurses in IELTS English exam

Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) has announced changes in its International English Language Testing System (IELTS) requirements for nurses and midwives coming on to the register from overseas and within the European economic area.

This is aimed at making it more flexible for overseas Nurses to acquire the required IELTS score while still ensuring that the appropriate minimum standard is met to carry out their jobs successfully.

Under the previous system, applicants were required to achieve the IELTS Academic Test Level 7 in reading, writing, speaking and listening in a single sitting. Under the new protocols the NMC still requires applicants to achieve Level 7 in all areas, but this can now be achieved over two sittings of the tests. Both tests must be within six months of each other and no single score must be below 6.5 in any of the areas across both tests.

Nurses trained within EEA/EU can take any version of IELTS Academic Test as they currently do not need any work visa to come and work in the UK, however overseas Nurses from outside EEA who want to come and work in the UK must take the UKVI version of the IELTS Academic exam as its needed for processing their Tier 2 General visa.

Separate test sessions are held for UK Visas and Immigration applicants. You must ensure you register for an “IELTS for UKVI” test date.  The IELTS test for UK visa purposes is designed to meet certain administrative requirements that are specific to UK Visas and Immigration. Test Report Forms will be slightly different, to show that test takers have taken the test at an IELTS UK visa session.

There are no differences in the test format or questions. The actual test taken is the same – same content, examiners, format, level of difficulty, scoring and so on. For further details and to book please visit:  http://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/ielts-ukvi/book-ielts-ukvi

We at UK Visa Works specialise in providing immigration and recruitment services to the healthcare sector in the UK. If you are an overseas nurse trained wishing to work in the UK then please get in touch using our contact form. You can also follow us through our facebook page.

Comments

  1. I would like to ask what UKVI academic ielts score is required for nurses anout to take osce?

  2. Egbule Judith

    Please, which ielts exam type is required for NMC registration, normal or ukvi?
    Thanks

    1. NMC will consider both for registration purpose; however for getting the Tier 2 General visa, you will have to submit the UKVI version so please take that exam as it will meet both purposes.

  3. Please, I just took my ielts academic version in June. I never knew there was ukvi version. Can I prove my English language in other way or i must sit for ielts ukvi?

    1. Mary there are other options such as if you are a national of a English Speaking country or you can prove your knowledge of English by having a degree that was taught or researched in English.

      (If you have a degree from a UK university, you only need your original degree certificate.
      If your degree isn’t from a UK university, you’ll need your original degree certificate and one of the following:

      * an original letter or certificate from UK NARIC confirming the equivalent level of your degree, plus an official letter from your university with your name and degree confirming that your degree was taught in English
      * an original and official certificate from your university confirming the degree was taught or researched in a majority English-speaking country (except Canada))

  4. Greetings!

    I would like to ask something about combined IELTS. I took IELTS UKVI Academic and scored Listening 7, Reading 7, Writing 6.5, Speaking 6.5; however, I’m planning to take another exam to meet the needed minimum band score. Can I take the Regular IELTS Academic instead?

    This needs urgent response because I’m planning to take it as soon as possible. Thank you!

    1. You will need to take IELTS UKVI Academic in order to be eligible for combining the score with the one you have already taken; as NMC criteria to assess English of overseas qualified Nurses is through the IELTS Academic version and not General.

      Based on the IELTS UKVI Academic scores you have posted above you will need to score at least the following: Listening 6.5, Reading 6.5, Writing 7, Speaking 7. Thank you

  5. Greetings, I want to understand clearly the ielts test to take as a nurse wanting to work in the UK.is it UK vi academic?

    1. Thank you for contacting us.

      Yes any Non-EU national Nurse who wishes to come to UK and work on work visa must take the UKVI version of IELTS.

  6. Agesin olajoke

    Greetings!
    I will like to know how I can get materials in preparation for IELTS UKVI. Thanks

  7. I took both IELTS ACADEMIC. My scores were:
    Listening 8.5 reading 7 speaking 6.5 writing 6.5

    After a month, retook the exam ang got

    Listening 6.5 reading 6.5 speaking 7 writing 7

    My question is, am I qualified for the two sitting policy?

    Btw – i haven’t taken ukvi yet.

    Thankyou!

    1. Hi, yes you shall be eligible now to apply to Nursing Council in UK. You can combine these two test scores and apply to NMC for CBT. To get UK Tier 2 visa you will need the UKVI version though.

      Thank you

      1. Which IELTS for UKVI should be taken academic or general for someone who already averaged 7.5 in IELTS Academic.

        1. Hi, General UKVI or Academic UKVI both will be ok since you already have required score in IELTS Academic for meeting the NMC requirements. Thank you

  8. Hello,
    I am an overseas applicant, I am a graduate of MSc in Health Studies from University of Hull 2016, BSc in Nursing Science from Cardiff University in 2010, General nursing diploma and Specialized Midwifery Diploma from my country ( Oman). Do I still need to get IELTS to work as a nurse in the UK?

    1. Hi, yes you will need IELTS Academic or OET exam. YOu dont have to worry about UKVI version as you have a Masters degree from UK and that meets the visa issuance requirements. Thank you

  9. suryabhan singh

    so ukvi will be ok for NMC and visa purpose.
    u have any idea about radiographer

  10. Cristine Borreros

    Hi good day! Can you evaluate my two IELTS results? If i already meet the requirement or need to retake

    Nov. 2017. Mar. 2018
    UKVI. Academic
    Overall : 7.0. 7.5
    L -8.0. L -7.5
    R- 6.5. R – 8.5
    W – 6.5. W -6.5
    S – 6.5. S-7.0

    Im not sure because i have one 6.5

    1. hello, unfortunately not because of your 6.5 in writing section of both exams. You are almost there so please dont give up and take IELTS Academic UKVI version or the recently approved OET exam to become eligible for NMC registration process. Thank you

  11. Mansi Raval

    Dear Sir,
    I have done my diploma nursing from India, and done B.Sc. (Hons)Nursing and Health care from Thames valley University(The west London University) in 2011. Furthermore I have 2 years experience to work in Dr’s Surgery in London . So could you please advice me which type of IELTS I need to be scored.
    Thank you.
    With Regards,
    Mansi U.Raval

    1. Hi Mansi,
      Your BSc qualifies you to meet the UKBA requirements; however for NMC requirements you need IELTS Academic version. Its better if you take the UKVI version but its ok if you just take the normal version too because of your BSc in Nursing from UK.
      Thank you

  12. Mansi Raval

    Dear Sir,
    Thank you for your reply. Could you please suggest me which tier I can apply after giving IELTS OR I can apply and then I will give IELTS?
    Thank you .
    With Regards,
    Mansi U. Raval

  13. Hi. Am an nurse trained in Gambia wit has a Degree in Nursing. Did IELTS academic last yr and got 7 in all except reading.
    Am I qualify to use English evidence 2.
    Can I substitute my result for ukvi

    1. Hi, we can not make out what you mean by “Am I qualify to use English evidence 2.” Thank you

  14. I wrote IELTS Academic and scored L 8, S 8, R 7.5 W 6.5. If I take the UKVI Academic and score at least a L 6.5, S 6.5, R 6.5, W 7. Can I combine both the Academic IELTS and UKVI together for NMC registration? And would UK visas accept the UKVI Academic for application for work visa?
    Thank you

    1. Yes it shall be possible; please confirm with NMC, UK and share your experience for helping others. Thank you

  15. Hello…
    Please is it possible to combine scores from UKVI academic and normal IELTS academic for NMC registration?

  16. Richa Rapisura

    I took my ielts ukvi last july and then I received my results it says that I have overall bandscore of 6.5 ( L:7; R: 7.5; W & S: 6) could I take the regular IELTS Academic as an alternative? Thank you.

    1. Hi, yes you could take the regular IELTS Academic exam as that will meet the NMC requirements and when the stage comes to apply for the visa then you can use the UKVI version that you have already passed last year. Please note that the IELTS exam results are only valid for two years. Thank you

  17. Hello, I’m a nurse graduated in Philippines. I’m planning to apply in UK. I’m confused , is it ok to take IELTS UKVI rather than Academic IELTS? If that so, just in case I passed the IELTS UKVI, no need for me to take an Academic IELTS since IELTS UKVI can be used as a requirement for both, NMC and visa application?

    1. UKVI can be Academic or General; which version did you sit out of those two? If you can not make out please email us your IELTS certificate and we can advise. Thank you

  18. Hello.
    I had my Bachelor of Nursing degree from Babcock University,Nigeria.I used evidence 2 for my NMC application and presently,i have applied and my credentials and certificates are being verified.Do I still need to take ielts?if yes,which of the versions do i need to take and what band score is required of me.Thanks.

    1. Hi, if NMC accepts your degree to meet English language requirements then you can sit for any version for both Academic or General IELTS; but just make sure that they are UKVI version. Thank you

  19. Hello,
    I am a nurse graduated in India and having MSc Nursing from Scotland. Do I need IELTS for NMC registration? Will the UK -NARIC statement of comparability and english language assessment certificate sufficient for NMC registration. Please guide.

    1. Hi,

      Unfortunately NMC will not accept your MSc Nursing for the purpose of English requirements generally; however your degree from UK will be sufficient for UKVI visa application requirements.

      Thanks

  20. Please can I take the regular ielts for nurses after these test results R 7.5 L 7.5 W 5.5 S 7??

    1. Hi,

      If you have taken one UKVI version then the other version could be non UKVI, however both need to be IELTS Academic.

      Thank you

  21. Zunaira Rashid

    hi. I want to ask you about english test. I did my nursing diploma in english from pakistan an d also i got the top up degree from uk university. still i need english test or not beacuse i read online that if your degree was in english then you dont need ielts you need to provied latter from university. cloud you guide me please. Thanks

    1. Hello, if you have passed a degree from UK then you will not need to pass IELTS for visa purpose; however for registering with NMC-UK you will still need to pass the IELTS Academic exam with the required score. Thank you

  22. Hi I just got an email about Refusal of clear enterance due to my IELTS version. I took just normal IELTS not for UKVI.
    I never knew it. I already passed academy IELTS, CBT and got a job in one of hospitals in the UK.

    I did not do any other study in English. so I think I need to take IELTS again but UKVI version.
    Do I need to get each 7 score again for tier 2 visa?

    1. We are sorry to hear that your visa was refused due to the non-UKVI version of IELTS. For visa application again you do not need 7 again in IELTS UKVI version, however if you do then its better.

  23. As a graduate nurse from Nigeria, which IELTS I’m I supposed to write for both working and visa application.

    1. Hi,

      You can either take IELTS UKVI (Academic) or OET, both exams are now acceptable for registration with Nursing and Midwifery Council in UK as well as for your visa application to UKVI.

      Thank you

  24. Hi,
    Thanks for addressing issues in this platform.
    My question is: can I combine results from Ielts UKVI (Academic) with British Council and Normal ielts (Academic) with MOD (idp)

    1. Hi,

      Yes it shall be possible. The UKVI version IELTS requirement is imposed by UKVI and not NMC, UK. NMC UK considers any version of IELTS Academic and now in addition to it they have started accepted OET as well.

      Many overseas trained Nurses are finding OET easier than the IELTS Academic to prove the required English level for registration as a Nurse in UK.

      Thank you

      Thank you

  25. Sowmya Asha Fernandes

    Hello Admin,

    I heard about a new rule in 2019 that diploma nurses need not write IELTS UKVI, instead they can give OET directly and can process once OET is cleared. Is that so? Kindly advise.

    1. Hi,

      Yes the changes have been introduced; they will accept the exam as long as the regulatory body accepts it as suitable for registration with them. In case of Nurses registration in UK the relevant body is Nursing and Midwifery Council UK; they accept OET to prove one’s required English level.

      Thank you

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