We ask all applicants applying through the international route to confirm their proficiency with the English language
The ability to communicate effectively in English is crucial to working as a health professional in the UK.
To demonstrate this, as part of your application you'll be asked to provide a certificate from an English language proficiency test that shows your score.
We accept the following certificates of English language proficiency, providing they are no more than two years old when your application is received. We cannot accept any TOEFL test score undertaken in the UK.
Test |
Minimum score |
|
International English Language |
7.0 with no element below 6.5 |
|
Test of English as a Foreign |
Minimum score of 100/120 |
* We accept both the IELTS Academic and IELTS General tests. We accept UKVI and non-UKVI versions of the test. The test needs to be taken at an official test centre and not at home.
** We do not accept any TOEFL test score undertaken in the United Kingdom.
Test |
Minimum score |
|
International English Language |
8.0 with no element below 7.5 |
|
Test of English as a Foreign |
Minimum score of 118/120 |
* We accept both the IELTS Academic and IELTS General tests. We accept UKVI and non-UKVI versions of the test. The test needs to be taken at an official test centre and not at home.
** We do not accept any TOEFL test score undertaken in the United Kingdom.
IELTS one-skill retake
We accept one-skill retakes for applicants using the IELTS test, if the retake is done within 6 months of the original test. The retake results should be provided within the test report, alongside the original results. They are valid for the same two-year period as your original results.
Exemptions to certification
Every international applicant must provide a certificate with their application, unless they are:
- A native English speaker, for whom English is their first language
You can declare that English is your first language, meaning you don't have to provide certification. This must only be done if it is the main or only language that you use on a day-to-day basis. Having studied English or undertaken higher education that was taught in English is not sufficient to claim that English is your first language.
We may ask for further evidence if you claim that English is your first language and you are not from a majority English-speaking country.
- A national of Switzerland applying with mutual recognition under the Swiss Citizens Rights Agreement
Except speech and language therapists. These individuals must provide us with an appropriate English language proficiency text certificate unless English is their first language.
Undertaking English language tests not formally recognised by us
Applicants whose first language is not English and are therefore required to provide a language test certificate as evidence of their proficiency may do so by completing another English language test which is not formally recognised by us.
If you do so you must include within your application, in addition to the certified test results:
A certified statement of comparability issued by the test provider which clearly demonstrates that the test and score achieved are comparable to the IELTS level 7.0 with no element below 6.5 (or IELTS level 8.0 with no element below 7.5 for speech and language therapists). Failure to provide this with your test results may delay the processing of your application.
Providers issue comparability statements upon request. Applicants should ensure the test provider they choose can issue such a statement prior to undertaking any test.
IELTS can provide descriptions of the scoring system it uses, and some of this information is available on its website. The test can be taken in 180 centres in 110 countries.
For further information, contact the British Council offices in your own country, or write to the British Council Information Centre, Bridgewater House, 58 Whitworth Street, Manchester, M1 6BB, United Kingdom.
