Medical Council minimum IELTS and OET scores
The rules are on the Medical Council's English language page and apply to all new applications received on or after 1 March 2025. Certificates are verified at source and must be dated within two years of the date of registration.
Confirm on the Medical Council page before you book, as it says the exemptions are likely to change.
| Test | Medical Council minimum | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 7.0 overall, 6.5 in each module | Single sitting, last two years. Not IELTS Indicator or IELTS Online |
| OET Medicine | Grade B in each module | Single sitting, last two years. Not OET@Home |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency | Pass at C1 or C2 | Within the last two years |
| PTE Academic, TOEFL | Not listed | Not applicable |
Who has to take an English test
The Medical Council currently does not ask for English evidence from graduates of Irish, EU/EEA, UK, Australian, New Zealand or US medical schools, from EU citizens, or from applicants for Specialist, Visiting EEA or Internship registration (Medical Council). Everyone else must provide it.
Instead of a test, you can show you completed your basic medical degree and internship, or a higher qualification with a postgraduate medical training body, through English in one of the Council's listed countries where English is the predominant language.
Know your target? Check where you stand
Take a free AI-scored IELTS mock and see your score per skill before you book the real test. Free account, no card.
Take a free scored IELTS mock →Combining sittings, One Skill Retake and validity
Both IELTS and OET must be passed in a single sitting, so scores from two attempts cannot be combined. Whether the Medical Council accepts IELTS One Skill Retake is not stated by the Medical Council, so ask before relying on one.
Certificates older than two years are not accepted. For general rules on studying in Ireland with IELTS see IELTS for Ireland.
Frequently asked questions
What IELTS score do doctors need for the Irish Medical Council?+
IELTS Academic with 7.0 overall and at least 6.5 in each module, in a single sitting within the last two years.
Is OET accepted in Ireland?+
Yes. OET Medicine with at least grade B in each module in one sitting. OET@Home is not accepted.
Is PTE accepted by the Medical Council of Ireland?+
PTE Academic is not on its list. The accepted tests are OET Medicine, IELTS Academic and Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency.
Can I combine two IELTS sittings?+
No. The Medical Council requires the scores in a single sitting.
Is IELTS Online accepted?+
No. The Medical Council does not accept IELTS Online or the IELTS Indicator.
Keep reading
Related
- IELTS for doctors in the UK (GMC)
- IELTS for Ireland
- IELTS band score calculator
- Free IELTS Academic mock test
- All 711 guides
Verified against the linked official sources on 30 September 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.
© 2026 BandLadder. Written and checked by the BandLadder team. You may quote or cite this page with credit to BandLadder and a link to it; republishing it in full needs our written permission. Content use policy