Are you interested in studying for a university degree in the UK or another English-speaking country? We can help! Read this article to discover some possible options!

Do I need to pass an exam like IELTS to get into university?

If you are a non-native speaker of English, you might need to prove you have the right English level for university study. One way of proving this is through an IELTS test.

Even if you have a good level of English, IELTS preparation classes can help you improve your technique before you take your exam to give you a better chance of success.

Will I need a good level of English to study at university in the UK?

Universities will need to make sure you have the necessary English language skills to complete a degree course. They will expect students to be ready, so it is really important to make sure you can cope with the demands of your studies. Most courses require lots of reading and self-study: you will need to be able to study outside of lectures and tutorials.

Some universities (or particular courses) have higher requirements than others. For example, if you want to study a subject like medicine or law, you will need a higher IELTS score. You might be asked to complete an additional qualification, such as an International Foundation Year before you can study.

What is an International Foundation Year?

An International Foundation Year (IFY) is a bridging course between the end of high school or secondary school, and the start of an undergraduate university degree. It is specifically designed for students who have not studied in an English-speaking country. It will help you improve your studying and academic skills, and prepare you to begin your university course with confidence.

An IFY usually lasts for an academic year – around nine months of study. Depending on where you study, you will take in-person classes on a variety of different subjects. You will usually study for between 20 and 25 hours a week. There may be additional supporting tutorials and workshops to help. In addition, you will need to study outside class and complete homework tasks.

One of the subjects that you are likely to study is English for Academic Purposes or EAP. During your EAP classes, you will be supported with Academic English – this includes writing essays and giving presentations in English.

You will also have support with applying to university. This includes writing a personal statement and providing an academic reference.

You will be assessed before, during and at the end of your IFY course. These scores will show universities that you have the language and academic ability to study for a degree.

What are the differences between a Foundation Year and an International Foundation Year?

A Foundation Year is an additional year of study for students who don’t have the required A-level results to apply to university.

An International Foundation Year is an additional year of study for students from non-English speaking countries who want to study at university.

Do I have to study an International Foundation Year in the UK if I want to go to a UK university?

No!

There are study centres and colleges in many different countries that offer IFY programmes. Â鶹ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø’s brand new college in beautiful Malta has IFY programmes supported by , our long-time collaborator.

NCUK has partnerships with more than 45 universities in five different countries, including the UK.

As English is one of the official languages of the island and spoken by the majority of the population, you will be immersed in language both inside and outside the classroom!

 

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We hope this article has been helpful. If you need any more advice, our expert team will be happy to help you decide on your best option for study. Contact us today or follow BSC Education on or to see more from us.

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The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) and OET (Occupational English Test) are both used to test the English language of doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals around the world.

These exams are chosen by regulatory bodies to ensure that healthcare workers have sufficient language skills to communicate effectively with patients and colleagues and deliver adequate medical care.

Which one is right for you? This article will help you decide.

Why do candidates take OET?

The Occupational English Test (OET) is recognised by the (NMC) and the (GMC) in the UK and Ireland. Visit the OET website for a .

One noticeable difference is that OET tests the ability of a trained medical professional to communicate in English. In contrast, IELTS is more general, rather than particularly designed for healthcare workers. Having a good IELTS score can support you with university applications or other, non-medical job applications.

The exam is designed for . The Listening and Reading subtests can be on any profession (remember, it’s an English language test, not a test of your medical knowledge, so don’t worry if there is a part of the exam that is not on your profession!) The Speaking and Writing subtests are specific to your profession.

Is OET easier than IELTS?

Despite some rumours that OET is easier than IELTS, the English level required for both exams is the same. The difference here is that students preparing for OET only work in healthcare. They need to take an exam to prove their level of English: the test assess skills they already have. This is where OET-focused classes can really help, as they are designed to support you pass the test the first time they take it.

For example, the OET writing assessment involves writing a referral letter. As a doctor or nurse, you will need to do this on a daily basis, meaning that you will already have experience of writing them.

For IELTS writing, the two written tasks could be on a variety of different topics. Task 1 asks candidates to respond to a piece of visual information (a graph, chart or diagram, for instance), writing around 150 words. In Task 2, students need to respond to an argument, problem or opinion, using appropriate academic language. You should write at least 250 words for this task.

Similarities

Both exams contain four sub-tests: reading, listening, writing & speaking.

Students receive a graded score rather than ‘pass’ or ‘fail.’ For example, the General Medical Council in the United Kingdom requires doctors to score B in OET with a B in each separate paper or an IELTS 7.5 with a minimum score of 7 in each paper.

Both a ‘7’ in IELTS and a ‘B’ on the OET is considered by the Common European Framework of Reference.

Differences

OET tests medical English, whereas IELTS tests academic English.

OET is recognised by healthcare regulatory bodies in Australia, Canada, Ireland, Maldives, Malta, Namibia, New Zealand, Philippines, Qatar, Singapore, Spain, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates and the United States of America.

Meanwhile, IELTS is recognised by universities, healthcare regulatory bodies, immigration authorities and companies across the world.

IELTS is marked out of 9 with a separate score for each paper. OET is marked from A to E with an accompanying numerical score to show your precise grade.

Comparing OET & IELTS

Compare the key factors of both exams:

OET Courses at Â鶹ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø

We have three different options to support you with your exam. Our teachers use OET-specific material to help you with specialist exam training.

OET Masterclass: this is a week-long, exam focused class, offered face-to-face in all of our UK colleges. Regular start dates mean that you can choose the right time to fit in with your schedule.

Are you currently working? If so, don’t worry! One of our Online OET courses on Saturdays could be perfect for you. We have both 4-week and 6-week classes available. Contact our team to discover more.

At BSC Education, we’re here to guide you on every step of your language journey. Don’t hesitate to contact us and our team of experts will be able to give you expert advice on choosing the right exam preparation course for you.

The post IELTS or OET – which exam should I take? appeared first on BSC Education.

Getting ready for the IELTS exam can be a daunting experience. Whether it is to help you get into university, improve your job prospects or for visa or migration, our Academic Team has the tips you need to help you succeed. We realise that getting ready for a test can be a stressful time and we are here to help.

This is a great time to book your IELTS course, so here are ten tips to support you with your preparation:

1. Use authentic materials whenever possible

Listen to news and podcasts regularly.  You can find a variety of music, culture, and current affairs shows on the . Get into the habit of taking notes on interesting stories. Read newspapers like the Economist or the Guardian every week. You’ll find they have articles of the same length and complexity as those you will be faced with in the test.

2. Use model answers

Try copying out model answers from the back of test books in order to solidify your command of vocabulary and sentence and essay structure.

3. Make ‘Fair Copies’ of your essays

Rewrite essays you’ve had corrected, following the advice and comments from your teachers. Make sure to correct all the spelling and grammar errors they have pointed out. Rewriting an essay will help you to improve your writing, and show your teachers that you have learnt from your mistakes.

4. Practice makes perfect!

Make sure you are familiar with all sections of the exam. Replicating exam conditions at home will help you with time management on the day. This is especially true for the writing exam, where it is very easy to lose track of time. You can prepare for the speaking section in class or get a friend to help you at home. It’s also important to make sure you go to class every day and ask your teachers what you need to do to improve.

5. Practice reading in English

Use graded readers (simple versions of classic fiction books) to help improve your reading speed and pick up lots of passive vocabulary. Your college will have a library of books that you can borrow – speak to your College Manager or Student Experience team to ask for help. Ask your teachers if they have any book suggestions for you. You could also join the local library, particularly if you are studying with Â鶹ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø for more than four weeks.

6. Search for grammar tips online

Pick up useful grammar tips from specialist websites such as the .

7. Practice writing

Watch news videos on Youtube containing graphs and tables and practice writing descriptions of what you’ve learnt. Watch a short and see if you can summarise it in five sentences or fewer. Start with a topic that you are interested in, as you are more likely to remain engaged. Remember: the more you write, the more you improve!

8. Record yourself

Record yourself telling stories about your experiences. Listen to the recordings and critique your grammar, accent and pronunciation. Repeat the activity and see if you improve.

9. Learn what your common mistakes are

Take careful note of mistakes – regularly write down mistakes you keep making (both speaking and writing). Ask for regular feedback from your teachers, as they will be happy to support you with your learning.

10. Be persistent

Be consistent in your approach. Go to class every day and do your homework. Work with other students outside class. Find ways to use English in your everyday life. Make sure you regularly ask your teachers what you need to do to improve.

Pass your IELTS exam confidently

We have helped thousands of students pass their exams – Â鶹ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø IELTS exam preparation course can help you get the result you want.

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