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English language requirements

Applicants from outside the UK need to meet specific English language requirements in order to register with the RCVS.  

You must demonstrate that you can communicate in English at an appropriate level.

This can be demonstrated by taking either the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the veterinary version of the Occupational English Test (OET). The required scores for these tests are shown in the table below:

Provider Average Score Component Scores
IELTS (Academic Paper and online tests accepted) 7.0 or higher

6.5 or higher in one component

7.0 or higher in all other components

OET (Veterinary Paper and online tests accepted) Grade B or higher

C+ or higher in one component

B or higher in all other components

 

Accepted IELTS UKVI Academic score examples

Listening Reading Speaking Writing
7.0 7.0 6.5 8.0
Average score: 7 and above

Listening Reading Speaking Writing
7.0 7.0 7.0 8.0
Average score: 7 and above

Unaccepted IELTS UKVI Academic score examples

Listening Reading Speaking Writing
6.5 6.5 6.5 7.0
Average score: 6.625

Listening Reading Speaking Writing
8.0 7.0 7.0 6.0
Average score: 6.5

Accepted OET (Veterinary version) score examples

Listening Reading Speaking Writing
350 (Grade B) 370 (Grade B) 390 (Grade B) 450 (Grade A)
Overall score: Grade B and above

Listening Reading Speaking Writing
330 (Grade C+) 370 (Grade B) 390 (Grade B) 350 (Grade B)
Overall score: Grade C+ and above

Unaccepted OET (Veterinary version) score examples

Listening Reading Speaking Writing
290 (Grade C) 250 (Grade C) 390 (Grade B) 340 (Grade C+)
Overall score: Grade C and above

Submitting your results

Once you have achieved the required standard in one of these assessments you must arrange for the results to be provided to us. This will be a Test Report Form if you took the IELTS or a Statement of Results if you took the OET.

When you apply, you should upload a good quality scanned copy in the online registration form (we cannot accept photocopies). Alternatively, you can arrange for your test centre to post it directly to us.

Please note we can only accept 6.5 (IELTS) or C+ (OET) in one of the listening, reading, writing and speaking components element no matter how high your average overall score is. We can only accept English test scores from IELTS or OET.

If you pass some sub-tests of the OET but fall below the required standard in others then you may re-sit those failed sub-tests. IELTS now allow candidates to re-sit individual components with the IELTS One Skill Retake, therefore if you fall below the required standard in any component of the IELTS test you will be able to retake the component. We will confirm that we have received the test report, once we have verified your scores through the IELTS/OET verification service.

For OET users, please ensure that you add the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons to the list of verifier institutions permitted to access your results. IELTS test results are normally available to collect from the test centre 13 days after taking the test, whilst the OET results are normally available 17 days after the test.

IELTS and OET certificates are valid for two years.

English language test exemption

All RCVS registrants must be able to communicate effectively in English at an appropriate level. This can be demonstrated by passing either the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Occupational English Test (OET) at the minimum required standard.

However, if you can demonstrate that your veterinary degree was taught and assessed entirely in English, in order to be considered for an exemption, you must provide:

  • A letter sent directly to the RCVS from your university that formally confirms your whole veterinary degree was obtained at an English-speaking University where the whole course was taught and assessed solely in the medium of English. This letter must be written in English and be sent directly from the University to the RCVS at [email protected]