A flowchart to show how you can become a nurse in the UK
Education requirements
10 years of school education before starting your post-secondary education nursing or midwifery training program, which leads to registration. The ideal course would be a three-year full-time B.sc nursing degree or a Diploma programme that is at least three years in length.
REQUIREMENTS FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY
EVIDENCE 1
IELTS
- Minimum 7.0 in listening, reading and speaking tests.
- Minimum 6.5 in writing test.
- Minimum 7.0 overall.
Both the paper based and computer based IELTS Academic test delivered at a test centre are accepted.
IELTS indicator test is not accepted because the security measures for the indicator test are not comparable to those in place for the face-to-face test and do not meet the standards we require for registration.
OET
- Minimum B grade in listening, reading and speaking tests.
- Minimum C+ in writing tests.
If OET certificate is submitted as a part of the application, you’ll need to give us permission to verify your results through your myOET account.
Combination of IELTS and OET
It is possible to combine two IELTS tests or two OET tests if both exams are completed within six months. However, IELTS and OET cannot be combined. IELTS requires a minimum score of 7 in Reading, Listening, and Speaking, and 6.5 in Writing, with an overall score of 7. For OET, at least B in Reading/Listening/Speaking and a C+ in Writing are required, with a minimum C+ in each test.
Examples of combining IELTS Scores
Combined IELTS scores: Accepted
This combination would be accepted. The applicant has scored at least 7 in the listening, speaking and reading sections and at least 6.5 in the writing section in either of the two test sittings, and no score is lower than 6.5.
Combined IELTS scores: Not accepted
This combination would be accepted. The applicant has scored at least 7 in the listening, speaking and reading sections and at least 6.5 in the writing section in either of the two test sittings, and no score is lower than 6.5.
Combined IELTS scores: Not accepted
This application would not be accepted. The applicant has a score lower than 6.5
Combined OET scores: Accepted
The applicant has scored at least grade B in the listening, speaking, and reading sections and at least grade C+ in the writing section in either of the two test sittings, and no score is lower than grade C+.
Combined OET scores: Not accepted
This application would not be accepted. The applicant has scored lower than grade C+.
For more info visit Accepted English language tests
Related pages
EVIDENCE 2
- A Pre-registration Nursing or Midwifery qualification which was taught and examined in English with a transcript of training.
- A letter of recommendation from your school (or the training institution can complete sections 8a and 8b on the form to accompany their transcript of training). The programme must have had at least 50% clinical interaction, conducted in English with at least 75% of patients, service users, families, and other healthcare professionals.
**NMC is currently reviewing this route**
EVIDENCE 3
Registration and practice of at least one year in a country where English is the first and native language and an English language assessment was required for NMC registration. Experience in bedside preferred.
EXPERIENCE
- A recent pre-registration nursing or midwifery programme that has been taught and examined in English.
OR
- Registration and one year’s practice with a nursing or midwifery regulator in a country where English is the first and native language.