IELTS & OET – A Guide for Aspiring Healthcare Professionals
Why IELTS and OET Matter at 360 Recruitment Group
Our specialty at 360 Recruitment Group is placing qualified medical personnel at prestigious hospitals and healthcare institutions around the world, especially in the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and the Middle East.To work in these countries, demonstrating English language proficiency is a mandatory requirement for registration and licensing. That’s where IELTS and OET come in.
We provide expert-led training to help candidates pass these exams with confidence and meet the requirements of NMC (UK), AHPRA (Australia), DHA, HAAD, and other international regulatory bodies.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
Purpose:
Measures general English proficiency for education, migration, and work, including healthcare.
IELTS Versions:
IELTS Academic: Required for healthcare professionals such as nurses and doctors.
IELTS General: Used for general migration or non-academic work purposes.
Exam Format:
- Listening (30 minutes):
4 sections
40 questions
Tests understanding of spoken English in various contexts.
- Reading (60 minutes):
3 sections (Academic passages for Academic version)
40 questions
Tests reading comprehension, inference, and logical thinking.
- Writing (60 minutes):
Task 1: Describe a graph, chart, or diagram (Academic).
Task 2: Essay writing on a general topic.
- Speaking (11–14 minutes):
Face-to-face interview with an examiner.
Includes short questions, a longer talk, and a discussion.
- Scoring:
Scored on a 9-band scale.
For UK NMC: Minimum score of 7.0 overall and 7.0 in each section is typically required.
OET (Occupational English Test)
Purpose: Specifically designed for healthcare professionals to test English in a medical context.
OET Professions Covered:
Nursing, Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Radiography, and more.
Exam Format:
- Listening (approx. 40 minutes):
3 parts
Focuses on patient consultations and healthcare communication.
- Reading (60 minutes):
3 parts
Texts relevant to healthcare and patient care.
- Writing (45 minutes):
One task: Writing a referral letter, discharge letter, or similar healthcare communication based on case notes.
- Speaking (20 minutes):
Role-play scenario based on your profession (e.g., nurse-patient interaction).
- Scoring:
Graded from A (highest) to E.
For UK NMC: Grade B in all four skills is typically required.
How 360 Recruitment Group Supports You
We provide:
Personalized coaching from certified trainers
Study materials and mock exams
Flexible online and in-person training schedules
One-on-one mentoring and progress tracking
Post-exam guidance for licensing and relocation
At 360 Recruitment Group, your success is our mission. With expert IELTS and OET preparation, we ensure you’re fully equipped to start your international healthcare career with confidence.
