This article will walk you through everything you need to know about the IELTS exam, its structure, costs and minimum IELTS requirements for EVERY medical school in the UK updated as of May 2024.

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What Is The International English Language Testing System (IELTS)?

The International English Language Testing System, known as the IELTS, is a global examination used to assess English Language proficiency.

It’s designed to provide evidence of a migrant’s English language skills to aid employment or admission to an educational institution in an English-speaking country.

Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK currently use the IELTs exam.

IELTS For Studying At Medical School - Why Do You Need To Take It?

Sitting the IELTS may be a requirement for employment or entry to universities or other educational institutions.

To study medicine in the UK, or work as an international medicine graduate (IMG), you will be required to sit the IELTS.

Effective communication is vital in the role of a doctor, and therefore a high proficiency in listening, reading, writing and speaking in English is essential for patient safety and teamwork.

👉🏻 Read more: How To Become A Doctor In The UK

IELTS Sections & Exam Types

There are 2 different types of the IELTS exam

Academic - This is the type you will need to sit for your Medical School application
General Training - This exam is for training or studying at below degree level.

You do not need to sit both exams.

The academic IELTS exam consists of 4 sections:

Listening - 40 questions to be answered in 30 minutes
Reading - 40 questions to be answered in 60 minutes
Writing - 2 tasks to be completed in 60 minutes
Speaking - 4 parts lasting 11 - 14 minutes in total

Listening Section

The listening test comprises 4 parts with 10 questions each.

Each part comprises a recording of a conversation in English and a set of 10 questions relating to the recording.

Parts 1 and 2 relate to typical, everyday conversations you may face, such as making a phone call to arrange a doctor's appointment or organising car insurance.

Parts 3 and 4 will be conversations related to education or employment, such as a conversation between 2 students about a lecture, or an employee asking about working hours.

Reading Section

The IELTS reading section will provide you with pieces of text from a book, journal, magazine or newspaper.

You will be given 40 questions in the form of multiple choice questions, true/false/not given questions, yes/no/not given questions, short answer questions, matching information, sentence completion, summarising, and diagram labelling tasks.

Writing Section

The writing section of the academic IELTS contains 2 tasks.

Task 1 requires you to write at least 150 words describing provided graphs, diagrams, charts or tables. This should take 20 minutes.
Task 2 has more freedom, and asks you to write a 250-word (minimum) discussion on a given argument or problem. This should take no more than 40 minutes.

Both of these tasks will be marked based on whether the tasks were achieved, the fluency and clarity of your writing, the range of vocabulary used and the grammatical accuracy.

Speaking Section

This examination is conducted face-to-face with an interviewer. It is recorded.

There are 3 parts to the speaking exam.

Part 1 - General personal questions, such as your home life, family and hobbies.
Part 2 - Answering questions on a task card - focused on one particular topic.
Part 3 - Discussion of the questions in part 2

👉🏻 Read more: How To Reply To UCAS Offers For Medical School

Who Needs To Sit The IELTS Qualification?

If you’re planning on studying medicine or practising as a doctor in the UK, and do not speak English as your first language, you must have evidence of your English proficiency.

The IELTS is a universally accepted English language assessment across all UK medical schools.

There may be alternative English proficiency examinations such as the OET, Cambridge Advanced Exam (CAE) or Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

However, we recommend sitting the IELTS to avoid disappointment if the university or role you’ve applied to doesn’t recognise your alternate qualification.

Where Can I Sit The IELTS?

The IELTS can be taken remotely, via an online platform.

This assessment style is not accepted by visa immigration authorities, therefore it’s worth checking with your associated institution which assessment style they prefer.

The UK’s General Medical Council also do NOT accept the online IELTS examination.

IELTS can also be sat in person at an IELTS test centre, either using a computer or using pen and paper.

There are more than 4000 test centres globally, but you can find your nearest centre using this link.

👉🏻 Read more: How Much Do Doctors In The UK Actually Earn?

When Will I Receive My IELTS Score?

Your results processing time will depend on how you sat your exam.

If you sat your test remotely online, your results will be available within 6 - 8 days of sitting your exam.

If you sat your exam in person using a computer at an IELTS test centre, your results will be available within 3 - 5 days of your test.

If you sit your exam using pen and paper in person, your results will take longer to be processed. You can expect to receive your results within 13 days of test taking.

How Much Does The IELTS Examination Cost?

There are a number of fees associated with sitting the IELTS test. We’ve summarised these for you below:

Service	Fee
IELTS Academic Examination	£190 - £220 depending on location
Cancellation of Test	£40
Transfer of Test Date	£30
Appeal of Results	£120 (fully refunded if your mark is changed)

Understanding Overall IELTS Band Scores

IELTS Band Scores and Skill Levels

IELTS Band Score: 9 - Skill Level: Expert

A Band 9 indicates that the test taker has a fully operational command of the language. Their use of English is appropriate, accurate, and fluent, demonstrating complete understanding.

IELTS Band Score: 8 - Skill Level: Very Good

A Band 8 shows that the test taker has a fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriate usage. They may misunderstand some things in unfamiliar situations but handle complex and detailed argumentation well.

IELTS Band Score: 7 - Skill Level: Good

A Band 7 signifies operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriate usage, and misunderstandings in some situations. They generally handle complex language well and understand detailed reasoning.

IELTS Band Score: 6 - Skill Level: Competent

A Band 6 reflects an effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriate usage, and misunderstandings. The test taker can use and understand reasonably complex language, particularly in familiar situations.

IELTS Band Score: 5 - Skill Level: Modest

A Band 5 indicates partial command of the language, coping with overall meaning in most situations, though likely to make many mistakes. The test taker should be able to handle basic communication in their own field.

IELTS Band Score: 4 - Skill Level: Limited

A Band 4 shows that the test taker's basic competence is limited to familiar situations, with frequent problems in understanding and expression.

IELTS Band Score: 3 - Skill Level: Extremely Limited

A Band 3 reflects that the test taker conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations, with frequent breakdowns in communication.

IELTS Band Score: 2 - Skill Level: Intermittent

A Band 2 indicates great difficulty in understanding spoken and written English.

IELTS Band Score: 1 - Skill Level: Non-User

A Band 1 means the test taker has no ability to use the language except for a few isolated words.

IELTS Band Score: 0 - Skill Level: Did Not Attempt the Test

A Band 0 signifies that the test taker did not answer the questions.

What Are The Minimum IELTS Entry Requirements For Studying Medicine In The UK?

To study medicine at a UK medical school, you will be required to meet a minimum IELTS grade. This varies per university; our handy table below summarises the IELTS requirements for EVERY UK Medical School.

University:	IELTS Requirement
University of Aberdeen	Listening - 5.5 or above Reading - 5.5 or above Speaking - 7.0 or above Writing - 6.0 or above Overall - 7.0
Anglia Ruskin University School of Medicin IELTS Requirement	Overall - 7.5
Aston University Medical School	Listening - 7.0 or above Reading - 7.0 or above Speaking - 7.0 or above Writing - 7.0 or above Overall - 7.0
Bangor University	Overall - 6.5
University of Birmingham	Listening - 7.0 or above Reading - 7.0 or above Speaking - 7.0 or above Writing - 7.0 or above Overall - 7.0
Brighton and Sussex Medical School	Listening - 7.0 or above Reading - 7.0 or above Speaking - 7.0 or above Writing - 7.0 or above Overall - 7.0
University of Bristol	Listening - 7.0 or above Reading - 7.0 or above Speaking - 7.0 or above Writing - 7.0 or above Overall - 7.5
University of Buckingham	Listening - 6.5 or above Reading - 6.5 or above Speaking - 6.5 or above Writing - 6.5 or above Overall - 7.0
University of Cambridge	Listening - 7.0 or above Reading - 7.0 or above Speaking - 7.0 or above Writing - 7.0 or above Overall - 7.5
Cardiff University	Listening - 6.5 or above Reading - 6.5 or above Speaking - 7.0 or above Writing - 6.5 or above Overall - 7.0
University of Dundee	Listening - 7.0 or above Reading - 7.0 or above Speaking - 7.0 or above Writing - 7.0 or above Overall - 7.0
Edge Hill University Medical School	Listening - 7.0 or above Reading - 7.0 or above Speaking - 7.0 or above Writing - 7.0 or above Overall - 7.5
University of East Anglia	Listening - 7.0 or above Reading - 7.0 or above Speaking - 7.0 or above Writing - 7.0 or above Overall - 7.5
University of Edinburgh	Listening - 7.5 or above Reading - 7.5 or above Speaking - 7.5 or above Writing - 7.5 or above Overall - 7.5
University of Exeter	Listening - 7.0 or above Reading - 6.0 or above Speaking - 7.0 or above Writing - 6.0 or above Overall - 7.5
University of Glasgow School Of Medicine	Listening - 7.0 or above Reading - 7.0 or above Speaking - 7.0 or above Writing - 7.0 or above Overall - 7.0
Hull York Medical School	Listening - 7.0 or above Reading - 7.0 or above Speaking - 7.0 or above Writing - 7.0 or above Overall - 7.5
Imperial College London	Listening - 6.0 or above Reading - 6.0 or above Speaking - 6.0 or above Writing - 6.0 or above Overall - 6.5
Keele University School of Medicine	Listening - 7.0 or above Reading - 7.0 or above Speaking - 7.0 or above Writing - 7.0 or above
Kent and Medway Medical School	Listening - 7.0 or above Reading - 7.0 or above Speaking - 7.0 or above Writing - 7.0 or above Overall - 7.0
King’s College London	Listening - 6.5 or above Reading - 6.5 or above Speaking - 6.5 or above Writing - 6.5 or above Overall - 7.0
Lancaster University Medical School	Listening - 7.0 or above Reading - 7.0 or above Speaking - 7.0 or above Writing - 7.0 or above Overall - 7.0
University of Leeds Medical School	Speaking - 7.5 or above Overall - 7.5
University of Leicester	Listening - 7.0 or above Reading - 7.0 or above Speaking - 7.0 or above Writing - 7.0 or above Overall - 7.5
Lincoln Medical School	Listening - 7.0 or above Reading - 7.0 or above Speaking - 7.0 or above Writing - 7.0 or above Overall - 7.5
University of Liverpool IELTS Requirement	Listening - 7.0 or above Reading - 7.0 or above Speaking - 7.0 or above Writing - 7.0 or above Overall - 7.0
University of Manchester IELTS Requirement	Listening - 6.5 or above Reading - 6.5 or above Speaking - 6.5 or above Writing - 6.5 or above Overall - 7.0
Newcastle University Medical SchooI ELTS Requirement	Listening - 5.5 or above Reading - 5.5 or above Speaking - 5.5 or above Writing - 5.5 or above Overall - 6.5
University of Nottingham IELTS Requirement	Listening - 7.0 or above Reading - 7.0 or above Speaking - 7.0 or above Writing - 7.0 or above Overall - 7.5
University of Oxford IELTS Requirement	Listening - 7.0 or above Reading - 7.0 or above Speaking - 7.0 or above Writing - 7.0 or above Overall - 7.5
University of Plymouth IELTS Requirement	Listening - 7.0 or above Speaking - 7.0 or above Overall - 7.5
Queen Mary University London IELTS Requirement	Listening - 5.5 or above Reading - 5.5 or above Speaking - 5.5 or above Writing - 6.5 or above Overall - 7.0
Queen’s University Belfast IELTS Requirement	Listening - 7.0 or above Reading - 6.5 or above Speaking - 7.0 or above Writing - 6.5 or above Overall - 7.5
University of Sheffield IELTS Requirement	Listening - 7.0 or above Reading - 7.0 or above Speaking - 7.0 or above Writing - 7.0 or above Overall - 7.5
University of Southampton IELTS Requirement	Listening - 7.0 or above Reading - 7.0 or above Speaking - 7.0 or above Writing - 7.0 or above Overall - 7.0
University of St Andrews IELTS Requirement	Listening - 7.0 or above Reading - 7.0 or above Speaking - 7.0 or above Writing - 7.0 or above Overall - 7.0
St George’s, University of London IELTS Requirement	Listening - 7.0 or above Reading - 7.0 or above Speaking - 7.0 or above Writing - 7.0 or above Overall - 7.0
University of Sunderland IELTS Requirement	Listening - 5.5 or above Reading - 5.5 or above Speaking - 5.5 or above Writing - 5.5 or above Overall - 6.0
University College London IELTS Requirement	Listening - 7.0 or above Reading - 7.0 or above Speaking - 7.0 or above Writing - 7.0 or above Overall - 7.5
University of Central Lancaster IELTS Requirement	Listening - 7.0 or above Reading - 7.0 or above Speaking - 7.0 or above Writing - 7.0 or above Overall - 7.0

To work as a doctor in the UK, the General Medical Council (GMC) require an IELTS of band 7.5 overall, with a minimum of band 7 in each of the 4 modules of the exam.

You may have studied at a UK medical school with a lower IELTS grade threshold than that required by the GMC.

If your IELTS scores do not meet the requirements of the GMC, you may need to resit the IELTS examination to prove that your English proficiency has improved and meets these requirements.

👉🏻 Read more: Our 2024 Application Packages For Medicine

How Long Is My IELTS Certificate Valid For?

Your IELTS certificate is only valid for 2 years.

This means that if you’re moving to the UK and applying to a UK medical school, you must have sat your IELTS in the last 2 years.

If you sat your IELTS over 2 years ago but can prove that your English skills have been maintained, such as if you have been working in the UK, you might not need to retake the exam.

👉🏻 Read more: Applying For Medicine In The UK

How Many Times Can You Resit The IELTS?

There are no limits on the number of retakes for your IELTS examination.

However, your most recent examination results must meet the minimum requirements to apply to UK medical school, or to work as a doctor in the UK.

👉🏻 Read more: Ultimate Medical School Guide

Comparison with Other English Proficiency Tests

Alternatives to IELTS

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) For Medical School in the UK

Format: TOEFL iBT includes four sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing, similar to IELTS. It primarily focuses on American English.
Costs: The TOEFL iBT test costs around $180 to $300, depending on the test centre location.
Acceptance: Widely accepted by UK medical schools, though not as universally recognized as IELTS. Always check specific university requirements.

OET (Occupational English Test)

Format: OET is designed specifically for healthcare professionals, including medicine, nursing, and pharmacy. It tests Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking in a healthcare context.
Costs: The OET exam fee is approximately $587 AUD.
Acceptance: Increasingly accepted by UK medical schools and the General Medical Council (GMC) as an alternative to IELTS, particularly for healthcare-related programs.

CAE (Cambridge English: Advanced)

Format: CAE tests all four language skills: Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking, and includes Use of English tasks.
Costs: The CAE exam fee ranges from $150 to $200.
Acceptance: Some UK medical schools accept CAE, but it is less commonly required compared to IELTS. Verify with each medical school in the UK.

When choosing an English proficiency test, it’s essential to consider the specific requirements of the medical schools you are applying to.

While IELTS remains the most commonly accepted test, TOEFL, OET, and CAE also provide valid assessments of English language skills, each with unique advantages tailored to different contexts and professions - check the individual page of each medical school.

How To Revise For The IELTS Test

There are a number of official resources on the IELTS website that can help guide your revision. These include sample questions and mock examinations.

Further free resources are available from the British Council, and IDP.

The key to revising for this exam is regular and consistent revision and practice of your English skills.

If you’re not sure where to start on your application to a UK medical school as an international applicant, we offer 1 to 1 support in your application.

Detailed IELTS Preparation Strategies

Study Tips and Resources

Listening Section:

Study Tips: Practice listening to a variety of English accents through podcasts, news channels, and films. Focus on understanding the context and specific details.
Resources:
IELTS Official Website: Offers sample listening tests and practice materials.
British Council: Provides free listening practice tests.
IELTS Liz: A popular website with tips and practice exercises.

Reading Section:

Study Tips: Improve your reading skills by reading English newspapers, journals, and books. Practise skimming and scanning techniques to find key information quickly.
Resources:
Cambridge IELTS Books: Series of books with past papers and sample questions.
IELTS Online Practice: Offers reading tests and exercises.
IELTS Buddy: Provides free reading practice tests and tips.

Writing Section:

Study Tips: Practice writing essays and reports within the time limits. Focus on task response, coherence, vocabulary, and grammatical accuracy.
Resources:
IELTS Official Website: Sample writing tasks and marking criteria.
British Council: Offers tips and sample writing exercises.
Magoosh IELTS: Provides writing tutorials and practice questions.

Speaking Section:

Study Tips: Practice speaking English with friends or in study groups. Record yourself and listen for areas of improvement in fluency, coherence, and pronunciation.
Resources:
IELTS Official Website: Provides speaking test samples and examiner criteria.
IELTS Simon: Offers speaking tips and sample questions.
EngVid: Free video lessons on IELTS speaking topics.

How to Revise for the IELTS Test For Medicine in the UK

There are numerous official resources on the IELTS website that can guide your revision, including sample questions and mock examinations. Additional free resources are available from the British Council and IDP.

Key strategies for effective revision include regular and consistent practice of your English skills across all four sections: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Utilise a mix of official materials, online resources, and study guides to cover different question types and topics.

For those unsure where to start, personalised support is available. Consider one-to-one tutoring or join an IELTS preparation course to get tailored guidance and feedback on your performance. This can significantly enhance your chances of achieving the desired band score.

IELTS: Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the IELTS exam for international medical school applicants?

The IELTS exam, or International English Language Testing System, is a globally recognised test that assesses English language proficiency for non-native speakers, essential for admission to UK medical schools.

2. Why do I need to take the IELTS to study medicine in the UK?

IELTS is required to demonstrate your English proficiency, ensuring you can effectively communicate in clinical settings and meet the rigorous language demands of medical education and patient care.

3. What are the sections of the IELTS academic exam?

The IELTS academic exam comprises four sections: Listening (40 questions, 30 minutes), Reading (40 questions, 60 minutes), Writing (2 tasks, 60 minutes), and Speaking (3 parts, 11-14 minutes).

4. What is the minimum IELTS score required for UK medical schools?

Minimum IELTS scores vary by university, typically ranging from an overall band score of 6.5 to 7.5, with specific minimum scores in each section (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking).

5. How much does it cost to take the IELTS exam?

The IELTS exam costs between £190 and £220 depending on the location. Additional fees may apply for test cancellations, date transfers, and appeals.

6. How can I register for the IELTS exam?

You can register for the IELTS exam online through the official IELTS website, selecting a convenient date and location from one of the many global test centres.

7. How is the IELTS exam scored?

The IELTS exam is scored on a 9-band scale, with each section receiving an individual band score. These scores are then averaged to provide an overall band score.

8. How long is my IELTS certificate valid for medical school applications?

Your IELTS certificate is valid for two years. If you are applying to a UK medical school, you must have taken the IELTS exam within the last two years.

9. What resources are available to help me prepare for the IELTS exam?

Official IELTS preparation materials, including sample questions and mock tests, are available on the IELTS website. Additional resources can be found through the British Council and IDP.

10. Can I retake the IELTS exam if I don't achieve the required score?

Yes, you can retake the IELTS exam as many times as necessary. However, your most recent scores must meet the minimum requirements for admission to a UK medical school or to practise as a doctor in the UK.