Required IELTS score increased

Applicants for trainee specialist registration, general registration or specialist registration who are not EU/EEA/Swiss citizens and do not have EU rights are required to pass or be exempted from the Academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The IELTS score is valid for a maximum period of two years from the date the test was taken and must be valid on the date a medical practitioner is declared eligible to sit or be exempted from the Pre-Registration Examination System (PRES).

The Medical Council reviewed its IELTS score requirements in 2009 and decided on 12th March 2009 that the required score would be increased, effective from 4th June 2009.

New IELTS Score Requirement since 4th June 2009.
Applicants who are not exempt are required to pass the Academic IELTS and obtain an overall band score of 7.5 with a minimum score of 7.0 in the Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking modules. As stated above, the IELTS score is valid for a maximum period of two years from the date the test was taken and must be valid on the date a medical practitioner is declared eligible to sit or be exempted from the Pre-Registration Examination System (PRES).
Click here for further information about the IELTS.

Previous IELTS requirements
Before 4th June 2009, applicants were required to obtain an overall band score of 7.0 with a minimum score of 6.0 in the Listening, Reading, Writing modules and a minimum score of 7.0 in the Speaking modules. The required score was increased on 4th June 2009.