Eligibility Applications: English Language Proficiency FAQs

Applicants who need to submit an eligibility application must have demonstrable skills in listening, reading, writing and speaking in English that enable effective communication about medical topics with patients and colleagues, as set out in the GMC’s Good Medical Practice (2024).

There are three acceptable forms of evidence of English language proficiency for an eligibility application:

1: Primary Medical Qualification

A PMQ will only be accepted as evidence of English language proficiency if it was gained from a medical school / university in a country where English is the first and native language. The GMC maintains a list of countries where English is a first and native language. The UKFPO will refer to this list when making decisions about applications. Please note:

– If you gained your PMQ from an overseas campus of a non-UK university, you will be deemed by the UKFPO as having studied in the country where the campus is located.
– If you studied at an overseas campus of a UK university, you will be deemed by the UKFPO as having studied in the UK.

OR

2: IELTS

A valid IELTS certificate with a minimum score of 7.5 in each domain and achieved in one sitting (speaking, listening, reading and writing).

If you have scored below 7.5 in any domain, your IELTS will not be accepted as proof of English language proficiency (even if your overall score is 7.5 or greater).

IELTS certificates must be dated two years or less before the start date of the training programme (no earlier than 06 August 2023).

For more information please visit the IELTS website.

OR

3: OET

Evidence of completion of the OET with a minimum score of 400 in each domain (listening, reading, writing and speaking).  These scores must have been achieved in one sitting of the OET examination. We do not accept OET results which are graded with a letter only, e.g. ‘Grade B’.

If you have scored below 400 in any domain, your OET will not be accepted as proof of English language proficiency (even if your overall score is 400 or greater).

OET certificates must be dated two years or less before the start date of the training programme (no earlier than 06 August 2023).

For more information please visit the OET website.

IMPORTANT: You must share your OET results with the UKFPO. If your results are not shared, the UKFPO will be unable to verify your result and your application may be marked as ineligible. Instructions on how to share your results through your OET online account can be found OET website.

You must provide evidence of your English language proficiency at the time of application. You will be asked to provide this information as part of the online eligibility application form.

No. The required score for IELTS is 7.5 in each domain in one sitting. The required score for OET is 400 in each domain in one sitting. You cannot combine sittings to achieve the required score.

Yes. Applicants who wish to take advantage of the One Skill Retake option must bear in mind that the UKFPO must be able to view/verify the final result on the IELTS verification portal.

Please note that there are multiple types of IELTS. The UKFPO will only accept Academic and UKVI (Academic) versions of the IELTS test. The UKFPO will no longer accept IELTS General Training certificates. The UKFPO does not accept the IELTS indicator; however, the IELTS online exam is accepted.

Please note the required scores must be met and proof provided as required in the Eligibility Guidance.

Yes, UKFPO will accept results from home/online/proctored sittings of IELTS (Academic and UKVI Academic) and the OET, as long as the required scores are met and proof is provided as required in the Eligibility Guidance.

No, the UKFPO does not accept the IELTS Indicator test.

No. There are three acceptable forms of evidence of English language proficiency for an eligibility application – primary medical qualification (PMQ), IELTS and OET.

No exceptions or exemptions can be made under any circumstances.

When deciding if an IELTS/OET certificate is valid and in date, the UKFPO uses the date of the examination, not the date that the applicant received their results.

IELTS and OET certificates must be dated no earlier than two years prior to the start of the programme to which you are applying (please see the applicant guidance for the exact date, which will alter each year).

In addition, as our Eligibility Applicant Guidance explains, we use the IELTS TRF number or OET candidate number to look up and verify results, and when we do this, the exam providers only show us the date of examination sitting.

If an applicant has used the IELTS One Skill Retake, the UKFPO will consider only the original date of examination, not the date of the One Skill Retake, to determine if an examination is in date.