A guide to living in the

United Kingdom
for nurses
Are you planning on living in the United Kingdom?
We’ve put together a guide to help you on your way.
UK destination guide for nurses
CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION TO THE UK’S NMC
2. INFORMATION ABOUT TAKING OET
AS PROOF OF ENGLISH PROFICIENCY
Using OET for Tier 2 (General) Visas
4. INTRODUCTION TO THE UK
5. WORKING AND LIVING IN THE UK
4. USEFUL LINKS
5. CONTACT US
2
So you want to work and live in the UK?
Are you planning on working in the UK as
a nurse or midwife? We’ve put together
a guide to help you on your way.
03 OET is accepted as proof of English proficiency for
registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council
(NMC). Nurses and midwives seeking work in the UK
must first register with the NMC.
05
You can use your OET results when applying for Tier 2
(General) UK visas if you meet the requirements set out
08 by the NMC.
There’s a lot to think about besides registration,
13
including applying for a work visa, registering for tax
and arranging things like accommodation and a bank
18
account.
18 It might seem a bit overwhelming right now, but if you
take it one step at a time and do your research you can
get to live your dream of working in the UK soon.
UK destination guide for nurses 01. Introduction to the UK’s NMC 3

The NMC regulates nurses in the UK.

INTRODUCTION It’s responsible for making sure nurses
TO THE NMC have the required training, education
and skills, as well as the right level of
English, to work effectively.

01
1. WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO WORK IN THE UK
UK destination guide for nurses 01. What you need to do to work in the UK 4

Nursing and Midwifery

Council (NMC)
OET is accepted as proof of English proficiency for
registration with the NMC, an organisation that regulates
nurses and midwives in the UK.
All nurses and midwives wanting to work in the UK must
first register with the NMC. To register, you will need
to provide the NMC with your qualifications and other
registration information. This includes:
Health and character information
Proof of English language proficiency
Your nursing or midwifery qualifications
Education institutes details
The NMC has provided several learning
resources to help you prepare for the CBT.
The second part is a clinical exam that test your
professional knowledge in a clinical practice. Made
up of six stations, the first three stations require you
to demonstrate assessment and care within a clinical
scenario. The last three stations ask you to demonstrate
your clinical skills in an unrelated scenario.
To prepare for the OSCE, check out the
information provided by the NMC on their
website.
NMC has strict requirements for nursing qualifications
and proof of English proficiency – for more information,
take a look at the NMC website: nmc.org.uk/registration/
joining-the-register/

Whether you’ve been registered

Once your application has been evaluated and you

meet the eligibility criteria, you might be asked to
do test of competence. Made up of two parts, the test
of competence includes:

A multiple-choice computer-based test (CBT)

A practical test (OSCE)

The first part is made up of 120 questions that tests your

theoretical practice-based knowledge. It assesses your
ability to apply your professional knowledge in the UK.
UK destination guide for nurses 02. Information about taking OET as proof of English 5
proficiency

INFORMATION ABOUT OET is an international English

language test that assesses the
TAKING OET AS language proficiency of healthcare
PROOF OF ENGLISH professionals who seek to register
and practise in an English-speaking
PROFICIENCY environment.
OET tests health practitioners from 12 healthcare
professions. It provides a valid and reliable assessment
of all four language skills – listening, reading, writing

YOU CAN USE and speaking – using real healthcare scenarios.

YOUR OET
OET is accepted as proof of English proficiency
by healthcare boards and councils for registration

RESULTS WHEN
purposes in the US, the UK, Ireland, Australia, New
Zealand, Singapore, Namibia and Dubai. It is also
accepted by Australian and New Zealand immigration
APPLYING for visa purposes.

FOR TIER 2
(GENERAL)
UK VISAS

02
1. WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO WORK IN THE UK
UK destination guide for nurses 02. Information about taking OET as proof 6
of English proficiency

Why do nurses You can find more on

choose OET? the OET website:
Nurses and midwives who want to work in the UK Why choose OET?
choose OET for many reasons, including:
Who accepts OET as proof of English proficiency?
OET is recognised by
the UK’s NMC What’s in the test

OET helps you prove you have the right How is OET scored?
level of English, while at the same time
learning the kind of language you’ll need Where and when can I take OET?
every day at work
How do I apply to take OET?
OET uses real healthcare scenarios so
you’ll feel more confident on test day
How can I prepare for test?

OET is widely recognised and

Shop for OET preparation materials
well respected

Success stories
It’s easy to prepare for the test using
the OET’s preparation materials

OET tests all four

language skills:

Listening
Listening Reading
Reading Writing
Writing Speaking
Speaking

Writing
Writing Speaking
Speaking
UK destination guide for nurses
Applying to work in the UK
Nurses and midwives can search for jobs in the National
Health Service (NHS) via NHS Jobs and NHS Careers or
on other healthcare recruitment websites.
Job openings are also advertised in local and national
newspapers, healthcare journals and employer
websites. Once you find a suitable job opening make
sure you read the job description carefully and take your
time to make your application.
As a part of the recruitment process, you may be asked
to take aptitude tests. You are also likely to have a
health assessment and criminal record check through
the Disclosure and Barring Service.
02. Information about taking OET as proof 7
of English proficiency
Getting a UK work visa
Once you have been offered a job, your employer will
need to sponsor you for a work visa if you are from
outside the European Economic Area and Switzerland.
Once the sponsorship process has been completed you
will need to apply for a work visa via the UK Visas and
Immigration website.
You can use your OET results when applying for a Tier
2 (General) visa. For more information about the UKVI
process, make sure you check out the UK Home Office
website.
Using OET for Tier 2
(General) Visas
You can now use your OET results when applying for
Tier 2 (General) UK visas.
Nurses no longer need to take an additional English
language test when applying for a Tier 2 (General) UK
visa if their OET results satisfy the NMC requirement.
You can find more information about this as well as
frequently asked questions on our website.
UK destination guide for nurses 03. Introduction to the UK 8

INTRODUCTION Moving to a new country and starting

a new life is exciting and nerve-racking
TO THE UK at the same time. Our recommendation
is to do as much research as possible
before you arrive – the more prepared
you are, the smoother your transition
will be. In this guide you will find some
pointers on what you need to do, where
to go to apply and an explanation of
some systems and terms you might not
be familiar with.

03
UK destination guide for nurses 03. Introduction to the UK 9

An overview Quick facts

of the UK
LANGUAGE

ENGLISH
CAPITAL
The United Kingdom (UK) is a European nation made
up of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Each of these countries come with their own people, LONDON
languages and cultures.
LARGEST CITY
Headed by a monarch for much of its history, the
UK was the first industrialised nation and remains
one of the strongest economies in the world. For a LONDON
long period of time, it also commanded a world-wide
empire stretching from India to North America.
POPULATION

While the UK’s climate varies depending on where

you live, generally it is cool and cloudy. However, you 63 MILLION
will find warmer weather in the south, while the north
tends to be colder.
CURRENCY

POUND STERLING (GDP)

UK destination guide for nurses
Why move to the UK?
History
No matter where you are in the UK, you’re
surrounded by history. Whether you’re interested
in monuments to famous leaders, ancient stone
structures or more recent history, you are never be
far from a historical landmark.
Location
Due to its location, UK residents enjoy easy access
to Europe and the Americas. With at least 28 days of
holiday available, there is plenty of time to fly off to
a Greek island, explore Paris’s many bistros or even
take a trip to one of the UK’s many coastal towns!
Did you know?
03. Introduction to the UK 10
Culture
Due to its history of empire and migration, the UK is
rich with tradition, food and different cultural practices.
Living in the UK means you can spend time eating
global cuisines, taking in the artwork at one of the many
famous art galleries or exploring the many different
communities that make up the UK.
Healthcare
All legal residents of the UK have access to the National
Health Service (NHS), which offers free healthcare
services. Boasting some of the best hospitals in the
world, the NHS is renowned for its fantastic quality of
care. It is also one of the world’s largest employers.
BRITISH
PEOPLE DRINK
165 MILLION
CUPS OF TEA
A DAY
The UK is the destination of choice for people from
all over the globe. It is frequently cited for its many
employment opportunities and its excellent healthcare
system. But that’s not the only reason you should
consider it.
UK destination guide for nurses
The UK Culture
Orderly
The UK is known for its love of an orderly queue.
Seeing clear lines of people waiting patiently is a
normal part of life. Queueing reflects a deeper belief
in equality and fair play, where everyone has a duty
to wait their turn.
Reserved
You might have already heard about the ‘British
Reserve’: the idea that people in the UK do not easily
show emotion. While this isn’t always the case, the
UK public do value privacy and as a result are self-
contained and not always forthcoming with their
emotions.
Diversity
The UK has always been a hub for migration, partly
as a legacy to its world-spanning empire. People
from across the world have settled in the UK,
creating vibrant and inclusive communities that
colour the country’s unique cultural tapestry.
Did you know?
03. Introduction to the UK 11
Artistic
Literature, film and theatre are just a few areas where
the UK has been at the forefront of arts. Whether it’s
Shakespeare’s plays, the Beatles’ songs or Banksy’s
contemporary art, the British have an aptitude for
creative thought.
Regional
Although the UK is geographically small, its people
are highly diverse. Each region, county, city, town and
village have their own identity. Part of this is the great
variety of regional accents that can be found across
the UK.
Football
While this may seem like a strange thing to add, football
is central to the majority of people living in the UK.
Almost half of all children in England, for instance,
played football in 2018. Whether you’re having a pint at
a pub or enjoying the UK’s many parks, you’ll never be
far from a game of football.
FOOTBALL,
RUGBY, GOLF,
BOXING AND
CRICKET WERE
ALL INVENTED
IN THE UK
Driven by migration and multiculturalism, the UK
is home to a rich tapestry of people, cultures and
communities. Living and working in the UK means
embracing some of the dominant elements that make
the country unique.
UK destination guide for nurses
Popular Destinations
London
London is the centre of the UK in both economic and
cultural terms. People from across the world flock
to the city seeking culturally diverse experiences,
excellent jobs and bright, lively neighbourhoods.
Edinburgh
If you love Harry Potter, you’ll love Edinburgh. The
Scottish capital inspired J.K Rowling’s magical world
when she wrote the novels. With fantastic natural and
architectural beauty, the Edinburgh is a great place
to live and work. However, with temperatures in
Edinburgh regularly dropping close to zero Celsius, it
can get cold!
Bristol
Largely destroyed during World War Two, Bristol
was rebuilt and now stands as one of the UK’s most
liveable locations. Often touted as a student city,
Bristol is fantastic for families as well. Make sure you
check out the city’s amazing waterfront, boutique
shops and the spectacular Clifton bridge.
Did you know?
03. Introduction to the UK 12
Newcastle
If you’re looking for one of the UK’s cultural capitals,
look no further than Newcastle. Located in the north of
England, Newcastle is home to almost 11 theatres and
67 libraries per million people. Geordies (as people
from Newcastle are called), are known for their friendly
demeanour and love of fun. .
Manchester
Often called the UK’s second city, Manchester is home
to world’s most valuable football team – Manchester
United. The city is also known for its diversity, where
more than 200 languages are spoken and close to 50%
of the city’s adult population are multilingual.
Cardiff
The Welsh capital is all about location. Close to the
beautiful Brecon Beacons and the unspoilt beaches of
Gower, the city is close to several regional sites. Unlike
some of the other major cities in the UK, Cardiff is also
very affordable.
NOWHERE
IN THE UK IS
FURTHER THAN
113KM FROM
THE SEA
UK destination guide for nurses 03. Living in the UK 13

WORKING AND The UK is a popular choice with

healthcare professionals due to its
LIVING IN THE UK strong economies, excellent standard
of living and wide employment
opportunities.

03
UK destination guide for nurses 03. Introduction to the UK 14

Living and working in the UK is characterised by its
tolerant and welcoming culture, even though you
will need to break through the ‘British Reserve’. As a
healthcare professional, working in the UK will demand
some extra requirements, such as a taking English
language test.
Read on to learn more.
Registering for income
When you first arrive
When you first arrive, you might not get paid straight
away so make sure you have enough funds to pay for:
Temporary accommodation when you arrive
Bond/deposit and your first month’s rent –
rent is paid in advance

tax in the UK
Mobile phone and internet access

You will need to register for tax in the UK by applying for

a National Insurance number (NI). This is a unique number Council tax
assigned to individuals who work in the UK. It is used to
ensure that you pay the correct amount of tax, and also Transport
ensures you can benefit from the UK health system.
Food
UK destination guide for nurses 03. Introduction to the UK 15

Finding a place to live Types of accommodation

You can rent an entire dwelling or one room in a share
Your choice of accommodation will depend on your house and there are several options listed below.
financial state, where you want to live and whether you Usually rented accommodation is fully furnished and this
want to share with others. is clearly stated in the advert.

Location Types of accommodation:

The first and most important consideration is location. Studios have the bed, sofa and kitchen all in one room with
You need to think about proximity to work, schools and a separate bathroom
other important facilities and infrastructure.
Flats are apartments with one or more separate bedrooms
You will also need to investigate transport options
and usually several flats share a common entrance from
between your accommodation and your work. Find out if
the street
it’s near a train station, bus line or if you’re able to walk -
use a mapping website, such as Google Maps, to figure
out your route. Houses and maisonettes have their own entrance from
the street
People forget that your neighbourhood can have a
large impact on and even determine your lifestyle. Do Shared accommodation, which will include a room in a
research on the neighbourhoods that appeal to you. If house or apartment sharing a kitchen, bathroom and lounge
you have time, explore a shortlist of neighbourhoods to
get a feel for each.

Did you know?

83% OF
PEOPLE IN THE
UK LIVE IN AN
URBAN AREA
UK destination guide for nurses 04. Working and Living in the UK 16

Rights and responsibilities Getting around

In the UK, tenants have specific rights and
responsibilities. It’s important to be aware of these
to ensure you understand what is expected of you
under law.
You can view these on the Government renting website.
When to start looking?
If you are going to rely on public transport to commute
in the UK, use the following links to get an idea of the
cost of travel:
By Plane:
Due to the short distances between cities, flying is not
the cheapest nor the most convenient way to travel
through the UK. The exception to this is would be flying
between southern England and Scotland.

Start looking for accommodation before you move to get
an idea of rent and the suburbs you like. You may need
to stay in hotels, hostels or use Airbnb when you first
arrive, so you can inspect accommodation and make an
application to rent.
Transport in the UK can be time consuming and
expensive, so check how long it takes to get to work
from your selected accommodation. Find out if it is near
a train station, bus line or if you can walk and then use
a mapping website to work out your route.
Some common terms when searching for
accommodation::
F/F Fully furnished
N/S Non-smoking
S/C Self-Contained Rail website has all timetables available for download.
O/R Own Room
While budget airlines have made domestic flights
considerably cheaper, make sure you look in advance
for the best fares.
By Train:
The UK highly developed train system and is a highly
popular way to travel. In Great Britain, the national rail
covers close to 34,000 kms of tracks with over 2,600
stations. While in Northern Ireland, the Northern Island
Railways is the main rail network.
Train travel is a great way to explore the country and
especially for intercity travel. Because of its popularity,
it is important to book early or else pay high prices. The
difference between a week can see prices rise £50 or
more. There are several railcard discounts for travels
which can save you significantly.
For information about planning your trip, the National
Alternatively, you can call the National Rail Enquiries
phone service on 08457 48 49 50 or access its handy
app.

S/R Share Room When you book the tickets, there are two classes to
choose from: Standard class and First class. The main
AGY Advertised by an agency difference is that first class seats are more comfortable
with extra legroom and the potential for at-seat services.
80pw/inc Cost per week inclusive of bills
Tickets come in three forms:

80pw/exc Cost per week exclusive of bills Advance Choose a specific day and purchase in
advance to save
DEP Deposit/Bond required
Off-Peak Buy any time, travel during off-peak which
differs depending on your journey

Anytime 
Most expensive but can be bought any
time and used any time.
UK destination guide for nurses
It’s important to remember than none of these tickets
guarantee a seat unless you have a seat reservation.
While this might come with the ticket purchase, some
companies will ask you to purchase it. Check with the
company if you’re not sure.
By Bus:
Local busses cover the entire country but are different in
cost and quality depending where you are.
In London, you find the iconic red buses that run often
and almost all night. You can find timetables at the
Transport for London website. The website is great for
planning your journey. You’ll be able to find maps, fares
and live updates.
Buses in London are now cashless, so you will need to
either pay with the Oyster card or a credit/debit card.
Outside of London, bus systems are privatised. You will
need to research which company operates in the city or
area you’re living in. Most will offer smart travel cards, so
do check these out.
By Car:
Renting, leasing or purchasing a car is a great way travel
around the UK. Unlike other parts of the world, the UK
drives on the left. It also uses the imperial system. Road
signs will be in miles, with speed in miles per hour.
The UK has an effective and well-kept road system.
Alongside parking, petrol can be expensive so keep
an eye out for supermarket stations which tend to be
cheaper.
However, traffic is an issue especially during ‘rush hour’
typically 07:00–10:00 and 16:00–19:00.
While nearly all roads are toll free, if you do drive in
London you will have to pay the London Congestion
Charge. Most cities will have a park and ride scheme.
You can park on the edge of the city and travel into the
urban area by public transport.
By Bicycle:
Riding a bicycle is a popular mode of transport in the
UK. As a result, cyclists have access to a wide network
of bike tracks and lanes.
It’s a legal requirement to have reflectors and a bell as
well as front and rea lights (if you plan to ride at night).
Google Maps and Cycling UK are great resources to sue
when planning your journey.
04. Working and Living in the UK 17
Setting up a bank account
Your salary will be paid into a UK bank account. To
open a bank account in the UK, in most cases, you will
be required to visit a branch (local bank) with proof of
identity and proof of a UK address (for example a utility
bill or rental contract). To find the best bank for your
purposes, visit different UK bank websites and make
sure you understand the benefits, terms and conditions
of your selected bank account before you apply.
Paying your Council Tax
Council Tax is payable to the local government authority
where you live to cover the costs of common areas
such as parks and pavements, waste removal and
general maintenance of the area. If you are renting a
property you will most likely need to pay council tax,
but the amount varies depending on the size of your
property and where it is located. When searching for
accommodation make sure you ask how much the
council tax will be.
You can find more information about council tax here.
Paying your utility bills
In the UK, a tariff is what energy providers charge
consumers for their gas and electricity. It’s important to
shop around to find the best deal.
To find the energy company that fits your needs, check
out their websites and compare them to see which
suits your needs. Comparison websites such as Which?
Switch can help you compare prices and make an
informed choice.
Setting up a mobile plan
The UK is home to several telecommunications networks.
When choosing a plan, it’s important to consider (and
even list) the types of actions you take.
Do you need extra data so you can watch your favourite
shows on the run? Will you need a high number of
overseas minutes to call family back home?
While price is important, you need to pick the plan that
covers your needs. You don’t want to end up paying more
at the end of the month because you blow through your
monthly allowance.
04 05
UK destination guide for nurses

USEFUL LINKS
NMC
04. Useful links
05. Contact Us

CONTACT US
If you have a question about OET,
18

go to our Helpdesk.
NMC Registration
NHS Jobs
NHS Careers
OET
Prepare for OET
UK Visas and Immigration
Housing Rights and Responsibilities
What is council tax?
OFGEM
Which Comparison

Source
nmc.org.uk
nmc.org.uk/standards/code
nmc.org.uk/registration/joining-the-register/
trained-outside-the-eueea
jobs.nhs.uk
nhsprofessionals.nhs.uk
gov.uk
healthcareers.nhs.uk
UK destination guide for nurses 19

UK DESTINATION
GUIDE FOR NURSES

Postal address
OET
PO Box 16136
Collins St West
Melbourne, VIC 8007
Australia

Telephone
AUS +61 3 8658 3963
UK +44 1202 037333
US +1 855 585 0125

Website
oet.com