The Savvy IMG

Can I bypass IELTS?

The academic IELTS can be a very intimidating test. Here I discuss ways you might be able to do gain GMC registration without it.

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I’ve read that the IELTS is a difficult exam, is there any way I can bypass it as an IMG?

Answer: Possibly. It depends on your situation.

The academic IELTS can be a very intimidating test. On numerous PLAB forums and Facebook groups you will come across doctors who are struggling to pass IELTS despite multiple attempts, but demonstrating a high command of English is a strict requirement of GMC registration. 

But it doesn’t have to be met through IELTS. In this FAQ, I will discuss the other ways you can demonstrate English proficiency. There are different options depending on whether you are applying for GMC registration through the PLAB route, or through a NON-PLAB route.

PLAB route

There are only 2 other ways to show that you meet the GMC English requirements if you are going through the PLAB route.

1. Take the Occupational English Test (OET) instead

The GMC announced that it would start accepting the OET just a year ago in February 2018. From what I gather, the OET is a much more manageable examination as it is designed specifically for doctors. The pass grade is “B” or a score of 350 in all areas (speaking, reading, listening and writing).

Read our article on IELTS vs OET here.

If you are considering the OET there are a few downsides to be aware of:

  • It is more expensive than IELTS. (See all the costs for GMC registration here)
  • It is not available in all countries – currently it can only be taken in 40 countries
  • It is not accepted if you are applying to the 2-year Foundation Programme.
  • If you are applying for Standalone FY2 as a first job in the NHS, you need a grade of “A” or a score of 400 in all sections.
 

2. Your medical degree was in English

The criteria for this option are quite strict. You must meet all of the following criteria:

  • The Primary Medical Qualification (PMQ) was taught and examined solely in English, and
  • At least 75% of your communication with patients, their relatives, and colleagues, was also in English, and
  • Your medical school must issue a certificate to confirm the above 2 criteria, and
  • You’ve never taken IELTS or OET before, and
  • Your university is not on this list.

Be aware that even if you satisfy all these criteria, the GMC can still reject this as proof of English.

If it has been more than 2 years since you passed your final exam, then you will need to show that you have kept up your English skills. This should be through references from all your employers over the past 2 years. Keep in mind, the GMC only accepts references from countries where the first and native language is English.

Ascension, Australia, Bermuda, British Antarctic Territory (BAT), British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), Canada, Falkland Islands, Gibralta, Guernsey, Guyana (formerly British Guiana), Ireland, Isle of Man, Jersey, New Zealand, Pitcairn, Singapore, South Africa, Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia on Cyprus (CBA’s), South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, St Helena, Tristan da Cunha, United Kingdom, United States of America, US Virgin Islands.

Caribbean Islands: Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, Bahamas, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Grenadines, Jamaica, Montserrat, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands

Source

NON-PLAB route

There are 2 other routes to GMC registration aside from PLAB:

  1. Acceptable postgraduate qualification
  2. Sponsorship

If you use one of these 2 routes, there are 5 ways to prove your competence in English aside from taking IELTS. Bear in mind that you cannot use any of the non-exam options if you have failed the IELTS or OET previously.

1.  Take OET instead

See above in the PLAB route for more information about this exam.

2. Your medical degree was in English.

See above in the PLAB route for full details about using your Primary Medical Qualification (PMQ) as evidence of English.

3. You work in an English-speaking country

If your PMQ was not taught in English but you have worked in a country where English is the first and native language for at least the past 2 years then this path can be tried. If you fit in this category then the GMC may accept a letter from your employer confirming you can communicate well in English. There is no guarantee. Read more about it here.

4. You already have a job offer in the UK

This is usually for those who are registering with the GMC through a sponsor, including those under the Medical Training Initiative (MTI). You have to show that you have fulfilled your future employer’s own requirements for English. Again, you cannot use this route if you have already failed IELTS or OET previously.

5. You passed an English test elsewhere

If you have passed the English test for registration in a country where English is the first and native language you might be able to use this with the GMC. So for example you passed the test for registration in Australia. This has to be within the last 2 years. (source)

Follow up questions

What if I previously failed IELTS or OET?

I’m afraid you can no longer use any of the non-PLAB methods above. You must pass either IELTS or OET.

I did a Masters/PhD/O-levels/A-levels/went to primary school in the UK, can I bypass IELTS?

No. None of these involve interacting with patients as a doctor so they can’t be used for GMC registration. (source)

Which countries and territories are considered to speak English as the first and native language?

Ascension, Australia, Bermuda, British Antarctic Territory (BAT), British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), Canada, Falkland Islands, Gibralta, Guernsey, Guyana (formerly British Guiana), Ireland, Isle of Man, Jersey, New Zealand, Pitcairn, Singapore, South Africa, Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia on Cyprus (CBA’s), South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, St Helena, Tristan da Cunha, United Kingdom, United States of America, US Virgin Islands. Caribbean Islands: Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, Bahamas, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Grenadines, Jamaica, Montserrat, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands Source

Further reading

Learn more about coming to the UK as a doctor in our IMG Crash Course. Read the full list of GMC requirements here.

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24 Responses

  1. Hi
    I got an 6.5 in my writing component of IELTS , is there some way i can still get my English proficiency verified ??

    1. Hi, you can request them to recheck your paper, if the score remains the same you’ll need to retake the test I’m afraid.

  2. Greetings, I’ve finished the MRCEM. Wouldn’t the OSCE exam count as an exemption from taking these subjective English exams? Would a job offer suffice in this case?
    I would really like to bypass this part.

    1. Hi Ed, so far the OSCE exams for any specialty are not considered as one of the rules for exemption. However yes, you can try using a UK job offer but it depends on whether your employer is willing to provide this. Best of luck!

  3. Hi, I am planning to take the IELTS academic exam for PLAB, should I take the computer-based or paper-based exam?

    Thank you.

  4. Hi,
    I am an Indian studying medicine in an English speaking country – Guyana.
    I have just given my final exams over here in Guyana and planning to go back to India for my internship which I will be doing for one year.
    So, if I apply after that will I still be not required to give IELTS?
    Pls clarify.
    Thanks in advance!

    1. Hi there! Exemption is based on where you did medical school so you should be fine. If you require further clarification, we recommend contacting the GMC directly for advice. Their email address is gmc@gmc-uk.org and the phone number is +44161 923 6602. They are open Monday to Friday 8 am–5.30 pm and 9 am–5 pm on Saturday. You can also send them a message on FB messenger, they usually reply within a day or 2. Best of luck!

  5. Hello! I am a junior doctor working in Singapore. I graduated from a local university with a MBBS degree and am planning on obtaining the MMed (FM) and MRCP (UK). May I check the likelihood of the GMC accepting a reference from my current employer as proof of my English proficiency? Thank you so much for your help!

    1. Hi Jane, Singapore is on the list of countries the GMC accepts as having English as a first and native language so I don’t see why it would be rejected. You can contact the GMC directly if you require further clarification. All the best!

  6. Hi there,

    I’m a gynecologist who has worked in Iran for 15 years now.

    I have been recently scored in ielts exam 7 (7.5 / 7/7 /6.5 ) .

    what should I do to work in England?

    I appreciate your help,

    with regard,

  7. Hello, I’m really confused about one particular point, I have passed my ielts with L/S/R/W (9.0/8.5/7.0/7.0) and overall 8.0. Ive met the requirements for the GMC registration so I’m able to book my PLABS but I don’t meet the requirement for the foundation programme as they need 7.5 in all sections which I don’t have unfortunately. So my question is, is it possible to register for the gmc with my current ielts results then I take the ielts exam again and if I get the 7.5 in the 2nd attempt can I register with that results for the foundation programme? Or is that not possible? Do I have register with the same ielts results for gmc registration and foundation programme registration?
    I would appreciate your help.

  8. HI, I did my Medical course in US. But im looking forward to write PLAB without attending IELTS. Is that possible?

    1. I don’t see why not, please see the article above – no. 2. You can also contact the GMC directly to confirm what evidence they require for this.

  9. Hi. I have obtained proof of English Proficiency from my university. What is my next step? I’m not seeing any info about that on their website.

  10. Hi ! I’m confused by “ have never done IELTS or OET”

    If I graduate from the medical school in a English-speaking country and my medical degree is absolutely in English.

    But I have done IELTS many years ago , like more than 10 years ago . And there is no any records of my IELTS results as IELTS test center had deleted my records.

    In this case , can I be exempted from proving IELTS results ?

    1. Hi there, the GMC website does state a time limit so unfortunately, I don’t know the answer to that. But if you graduated from a country on their list of English-speaking countries then I would think that is sufficient. It’s best to contact the GMC directly to clarify. Best of luck!

  11. MD – Doctor of Medicine Degree – Transfer student to Saba University School of Medicine, The Netherlands Antilles, Dutch West Indies – for Clinical Rotations (72 weeks) and Graduated in 1999.
    I completed my primary medical degree and graduated in 1999 from SABA University School of Medicine and 1 year clinical rotations training at Sanfernando General Hospital, Trinidad & Tobago, West Indies – 1997 – 98, 42 weeks and remainder in UK NHS trust Hospitals under Consultant supervision – 30 weeks electives at four different hospitals – 6 weeks each.

    Since I have had a very long break in career, as I was caring for my Late patents, I was interested in getting back into practising Medicine.
    I am very keen to register for the purpose of getting limited / full registration with the GMC?.

    I did take the PLAB exam back in 2001 – but failed and did not pursue further due family reasons. I also took IELTS as pre-requisite for the exam and achieved required scores, at the time of min 6 in all areas. My average was 7.5. I understand that they have now increased this??? and that there has been some resistance to this? and I feel they should still accept these scores from previous attempt, as I have continued use of my English language skills in the UK, especially working in the NHS for over 12 years and meet all requirements of competency and mandatory training as Senior Manager (non clinical roles) and resident of the UK.

    Also of interest – as this is not list on their criteria for English as evidence?

    Native language of Saba
    Language: Dutch is the official language, but English is the native language of Saba.

    Languages
    Both English and Dutch are spoken on the island and taught in schools, and both languages are official. Despite the island’s Dutch affiliation, English is the principal language spoken on the island and has been used in its school system since the 19th century.[2] English is the sole medium of instruction in Saba schools. Dutch government policy towards Saba and other SSS islands promoted English medium education.[29] English can therefore be used in communications of and to the government.[2]​

    Culture of Saba. Although part of the Netherlands Antilles since 1954, Saba’s official language (along with that of Sint Maarten and Sint Eustatius) is both Dutch and English, given the fact that the majority of Sabans speak English as their first language. English has been added to Saba’s school curriculum by the Dutch government as a result.
    Best
    NP

    1. Hi there, if you have a unique situation, it’s best to contact the GMC directly for further advice. Best of luck!

  12. Hi
    I am a GP from Algeria in North Africa
    I passed three times my IELTS exam and I scored 6.5,I wanted to practice in the uk,I am asking about another option :what do I need to do to study any speciality in médecine in the uk.i mean from which level can i start and how much does it coast and can I be able to practice in the uk if I finished it.i have been looking everywhere to answer this question
    Best regards

    1. Hi, to practice in the UK you will need GMC registration. To get this you must pass IELTS with 7.5 overall and 7.0 minimum in each section or OET with Grade B. Without one of these English exams, you will not be able to get GMC registration and work in the UK.

      For the cost please see this article. Regarding which level you can start it depends on your previous experience. You can read this article for your options for working in the UK.

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Meet the Team

Hi, we’re Drs Nick & Kimberly Tan, the two IMGs behind The Savvy IMG. We write comprehensive guides, create courses, and provide one-to-one guidance to help other overseas qualified doctors on their journey to the UK.
We have scoured the official guidance to put these posts together, but we can make mistakes! If you spot anything that is incorrect, please get in touch and we’ll put it right.
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