COVID-19 FAQs: IELTS & OET

Please see advice below.

• Some of the approved overseas English test centres were closed due to COVID-19. Where can I take English test now?

  List of tests and test centres approved by UK Visas and Immigration to show that applicants have the required level of English for their visa has been published on the UKVI website on 19 June. Please check the list for available test centres outside of UK here.

  Please check the required test type and required test scores for IELTS & OET test on the ISTP Supporting documents page.

• My OET/IELTS is due to expire in five months. Due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, would you think that I should resit the the exam now so that I am ready when things are back to normal? Is there any possibility that I will be placed into a post before my test results certificate expires?

  ISTP is currently closed to new applications and current applicants will not be matched with placements scheduled to start before October 2020.  You must have a valid IELTS/OET certificate at the time you submit your application to the GMC for registration. Given these timescales, you may consider to taking your IELTS / OET again before it expires.

• I applied to join ISTP in December, but my IELTS/OET test has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Is there a deadline for providing the my IELTS/OET test result?

  There is no specific deadline to submit your IELTS/ OET test results. However, the ISTP Team will not be able to assess your application until all your supporting documents (including your IELTS/OET test certificate) have been submitted.

• Is there any possibility that the validity of the IELTS/ OET test certificates may be extended due to the COVID-19 pandemic?

  We are not responsible for issuing IELTS/OET test result certificates and therefore cannot advise on this.  You should seek advice and further clarification from the organisation that issued your certificate.