MTS has helped 592 nurses to start their careers in nursing in the UK so far in 2022
Matthew Steele
MTS has helped 592 nurses sit IELTS tests in 2022, and outlines the NMC's upcoming changes to the IELTS score requirements for nurses in the UK from 2023.
One of the requirements for nurses to begin their careers in the UK’s healthcare sector is to demonstrate a certain standard of proficiency in English. This is because clear and effective communication in English is key to achieving high-quality care and maintaining public trust in the nursing and midwifery professions.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is the independent regulator for nurses and midwives in the UK, and nursing associates in England.
The NMC requires all nurses working in the UK to take either the IELTS or OET exam and attain a certain minimum result.
MTS delivers IELTS English Language tests across 19 cities in the UK, and between January 2022 and November 2022, we helped 592 nurses to sit IELTS tests at our test venues.
MTS is also aware that the IELTS score requirements are changing for nurses in the UK.
In 2022, the NMC carried out a consultation exercise to review the language requirements for nurses entering the UK profession, and will be making some changes from 2023 so that standards are still held high, but also ensuring a fair and proportionate process.
What are the NMC’s changes to IELTS score requirements?
1) From 2023, the NMC will be standardising the minimum scores they accept when combining test scores from multiple tests and extending the period for this from 6 to 12 months.
2) From 2023, there are certain circumstances where applicants will be able to provide supporting information from their employers as additional evidence of their English language proficiency.
Right now, the IELTS scores required for NMC registration are:
- Listening: 7.0
- Reading: 7.0
- Writing: 6.5
- Speaking: 7.0
From 2023 onwards, the IELTS scores required for NMC registration will be:
- Listening: 6.5
- Reading: 6.5
- Writing: 6.0
- Speaking: 6.5
And if you take more than one IELTS test, you might be able to combine your scores across the different skills (Listening/Reading/Writing/Speaking) but only if there was a 0.5 band score difference across the skills. More details about this, and about supplementary evidence of language proficiency can be found on the NMC's website.
If you are a nurse needing to take the IELTS test, then choose MTS for your IELTS test, alongside the 592 nurses we have already welcomed through our doors in 2022. We also offer preparation courses to help you to achieve the score you need!