English language requirements

This webpage sets out our English language requirements for registration.

International Medical Graduates (IMGs) who are considering sitting the IELTS test for the purposes of applying for registration should also see our important information for IMGs.

The flowchart below provides an introduction to our English language requirements. Please go through the steps carefully to see if you can provide us with alternative evidence of your English language capability. Click the highlighted text for further information.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Who needs to provide evidence of knowledge of the English language?

If you are an International Medical Graduate seeking registration, you must satisfy the GMC of your English language proficiency. The only exceptions, under European law, are:

• Nationals of member states of the European Economic Area (EEA) other than the UK
• Swiss nationals who since 1 June 2002 benefit under European law.
• UK nationals who are exercising their European Community (EC) rights of free movement within the EEA. Generally speaking this means you must have worked as a doctor in another EEA member state and be returning to the UK to work.
• UK nationals and non-EEA nationals who are married to EEA nationals who are exercising their EC rights of free movement within the EEA. Generally speaking this means that your spouse must be coming to the UK to work.

2.The International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

To satisfy us that you have the necessary knowledge of English you must submit an original IELTS certificate showing:

• That you have taken the academic version of the IELTS test.
• That you have obtained an overall score of 7.0, with minimum scores of 7.0 in speaking and 6.0 in listening, reading and writing.
• That you obtained these scores in a single sitting of the test.

IELTS is administered by the British Council and IDP Education Australia and is run in over 100 countries. You can find further information at the IELTS website at www.ielts.org

IELTS certificates are only valid for two years. Please note that your IELTS test or alternative language evidence must be valid;

• on the day you sit PLAB Part 1 or
• if you are sponsored, hold an acceptable postgraduate qualification or are eligible for entry onto the specialist register it must be valid when your registration is granted.

If it is over two years old you must prove to us that you have maintained your English language skills. You can do this by submitting:

• Your original IELTS certificate showing that you acquired the required scores.

or

• Evidence that you had your alternative English language evidence accepted by us

and

• Evidence that you have successfully completed a postgraduate course of study, where the language of instruction and examination is English, within the past two years.

or

• A reference from a UK employer or your tutor or lecturer on a postgraduate course of study within the last two years covering at least three months full time employment or study. (There is a form for completion click here (71kb, pdf )).

We will consider whether we can accept this as proof that you have maintained your language skills. If we are not satisfied, we will ask you to take the IELTS test.

3.Alternative Evidence

Under certain circumstances we will consider evidence other than an IELTS certificate. Where you have already taken the IELTS test and failed to achieve the required scores we will not accept alternative evidence. In these circumstances you must retake the IELTS test and achieve the required scores.

Table 1 lays out the circumstances where we will accept alternative evidence. The table also identifies the alternative evidence that will be required.

Table 1: Alternative evidence requirements

Circumstances	Evidence requirements
If you passed your primary medical qualification during the twelve months before applying for registration or to sit Part 1 of the PLAB test and you graduated from an institution where the language of instruction and examination is English.	An original letter or certificate from the institution where you qualified confirming that the language of instruction and examination is English. and A statement that you have not taken the IELTS test before.
If you received your primary medical qualification more than twelve months before applying for registration or to sit Part 1 of the PLAB test. And you have been working in a country where the first and native language is English. We do not accept evidence from experience in countries where English is an official language.	An original letter or certificate from the institution where you qualified, confirming that the language of instruction and examination is English. and A Certificate of Good Standing (CGS) from the medical regulatory authority in the country where you have been practising covering your work experience for the last two years. and References from your employers for the last two years, outlining your English language capability. (There is a form for completion click here (71kb, pdf)). and A statement that you have not taken the IELTS test before.
If you are moving to the UK from an English speaking country where you took an English examination to obtain registration with the medical regulatory authority.	A Certificate of Good Standing (CGS) from the medical regulatory authority in the country where you have been practising. and The English Language test certificate used for the purpose of gaining registration in that country We will also contact the medical regulatory board for further details about the test they use and what their requirements are for that test. and Evidence that you have practised in that country for the two years immediately preceding your application for PLAB or registration. and A statement that you have not taken the IELTS test before.

Please note that we will need to confirm this information with our overseas contacts, which can take up to three months. If you require registration sooner please consider taking the IELTS test.

4.Where to send the information

Please send all documentation to the address below;
General Medical Council
Registration Support Team (IMG)
5th Floor
St James’s Building
79 Oxford Street
Manchester
M1 6FQ

Please note sending information to our London address will delay your application.