IELTS vs OET:Which English Test Do You Need for UK Nurse Registration?

If you’re planning to work as a nurse in the UK, choosing the right English test is a critical first step.

Understanding the difference between IELTS and OET—and how they are assessed by UK authorities—can save you significant time and effort in your registration journey.

Working as a Nurse in the UK and the Role of the NMC

To work as a nurse in the UK, you must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
The NMC is the UK regulatory body responsible for managing the registration and licensing of nurses and midwives—similar to a national nursing council in other countries.

For international nurses, meeting the NMC’s English language requirements is mandatory before registration can be approved.

In this article, we will explain those English language requirements in detail and help you understand whether IELTS or OET may be the better option for you.

English Language Tests Required for NMC Registration

Let’s first look at the English language tests accepted by the NMC. To demonstrate English proficiency, applicants must submit results from either IELTS or OET, meeting the following minimum scores:

IELTS

Listening: 7.0
Reading: 7.0
Writing: 6.5
Speaking: 7.0

OET

Listening: 350
Reading: 350
Writing: 300
Speaking: 350

Meeting the IELTS or OET requirement is the first major step in the NMC registration process.

After that, candidates must pass the computer-based test (CBT) and the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) to complete registration.
For a full overview of the entire process, please refer to the relevant NMC guidance article.

Combining Test Results Within 12 Months

The NMC allows applicants to combine two test results obtained within a 12-month period.
However, minimum scores must still be met in each section. These minimum thresholds are:

IELTS (minimum scores for combination)

Listening: 6.5
Reading: 6.5
Writing: 6.0
Speaking: 6.5

OET (minimum scores for combination)

Listening: 300
Reading: 300
Writing: 250
Speaking: 300

Example of an Accepted Combined IELTS Result

For clarity, here is an example of a combination that would be accepted by the NMC:

IELTS Attempt 1

Listening: 7.0
Reading: 6.5
Writing: 6.0
Speaking: 7.0

IELTS Attempt 2

Listening: 6.5
Reading: 7.0
Writing: 6.5
Speaking: 8.0

In this case, the combined results meet all minimum requirements.

This system allows candidates to focus their study on weaker sections after each attempt, making preparation more efficient and less stressful.

Reference: NMC – Accepted English language tests

Understanding IELTS and OET

Let’s take a closer look at IELTS and OET and how they differ.

Overview of Each Test

	IELTS	OET
Test format	Paper or computer	Paper or computer
Test fee	Vary by country	AUD 587
Test locations	Nationwide (many cities)	Nationwide (many cities)
Score range	0.0 – 9.0	0 – 500
Test duration	About 3 hours	About 3 hours
Sections	R (60 min), L (40 min), W (60 min), S (11 min)	R (60 min), L (40 min), W (45 min), S (20 min)

At first glance, the higher cost of OET stands out.
However, these two tests are fundamentally different in purpose and design.

Key Differences Between IELTS and OET

IELTS is one of the most widely taken English exams worldwide.
It is available in many locations and is commonly used for study, migration, and general purposes. The test evaluates overall English proficiency across a wide range of everyday topics.

OET, on the other hand, is specifically designed for healthcare professionals such as nurses and doctors.
Its purpose is to assess whether candidates can communicate effectively in real clinical and workplace settings.

As a result:

IELTS covers a broad range of general topics.
OET focuses exclusively on medical and healthcare-related content.

For OET:

Reading and Listening are the same for all healthcare professions.
Writing and Speaking are customized according to the candidate’s profession (e.g., Nursing, Medicine).

Which Test Should You Choose?

Some candidates struggle to decide whether to prepare for IELTS or OET.
In reality, both tests are set at comparable difficulty levels, so the best choice is the one you can consistently study for and stay motivated with.

IELTS is known to be particularly challenging in Writing and Speaking.
For UK nurse registration, the Writing requirement is 6.5 (with a minimum of 6.0 when combining results), which is lower than in some other English-speaking countries. This makes IELTS a realistic option even for candidates who are less confident in writing.

Another advantage of IELTS is the abundance of study materials, including many resources available in multiple languages. Structured textbooks and level-based materials make it easier for those with weaker foundational English to get started.

The biggest advantage of OET is motivation.
Because OET preparation directly reflects real clinical communication, many candidates find it more engaging and relevant. However, the downside is the limited availability of quality materials. Without a solid English foundation, learners may struggle to continue improving with OET alone.

For this reason, candidates who wish to take OET are often advised to first raise their IELTS overall score to around 6.0–6.5, then switch to OET.

Some candidates even switch back to IELTS after attempting OET—particularly if they find OET Listening difficult. Monitoring your score progression and remaining flexible in your test strategy is essential.

For a more detailed comparison between the two exams, please refer to the related article.

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