Changes to the guidance on alternative evidence to demonstrate knowledge of English

Our requirements for the provision of additional or alternative evidence of knowledge of English will change on 1 February 2011. This page provides more information about how these changes may affect international medical graduates.

Current arrangements

Under our current arrangements, international medical graduates may demonstrate their knowledge of English in a number of ways:

• By obtaining the required scores in the academic version of the IELTS test.
• Where the required scores in the IELTS test were obtained more than two years before applying for registration, by submitting:

1. a. Either confirmation that they have undertaken a postgraduate course of study where the language of instruction and examination is English, within the two years.

Or

1. b. A reference from a UK employer or a reference from a tutor/lecturer on a postgraduate course of study within the last two years.

• By holding a primary medical qualification obtained from a medical school where the language of instruction and examination is English and where the final examinations were successfully completed within the 12 months before their application for registration. Or by submitting evidence that they have a primary medical qualification obtained from a medical school where the language of instruction and examination is English and having worked continuously for the last two years in a country where the first and native language is English.

New arrangements from 1 February 2011

From 1 February 2011 international medical graduates may demonstrate their knowledge of English in one of the following ways:

• By holding a primary medical qualification which was taught and examined solely in English and where the final examinations were successfully completed within the 12 months before their application for registration. At least 75% of any clinical interaction, including personal contact with patients, their families and other healthcare professionals, which takes place as part of the course of study, or work, must have been conducted in English.
• By holding a primary medical qualification (taught and examined solely in English) which was awarded  to the applicant more than 12 months before they applied for registration (or to sit part 1 of the PLAB test) and where the applicant has been working continuously, for at least two years, in a country where English is the first and native language. At least 75% of any clinical interaction, including personal contact with patients, their families and other healthcare professionals, which takes place as part of the PMQ and as part of the continuous work requirement, must have been conducted in English.
• By requesting that the validity of their IELTS test scores is extended by submitting confirmation that they have undertaken a postgraduate course of study which has been taught and examined solely in English. At least 75% of any clinical interaction, including personal contact with patients, their families and other healthcare professionals, which takes place as part of the course of study, or work, must have been conducted in English.
• By requesting that the validity of their IELTS test scores is extended by submitting confirmation that they have been employed in a country where English is the first and native language.

Read more about how these changes might affect you.