United Kingdom · Professional registration
IELTS score for GPhC registration (pharmacists and pharmacy technicians)
The GPhC accepts a recent IELTS Academic pass, including IELTS for UKVI Academic, with an overall score of at least 7 and no score below 7 in any skill, all at one sitting.
Set by General Pharmaceutical Council. Checked against the official source on 23 October 2026.
Scores required
Test: IELTS Academic
- Overall
- 7.0
- listening
- 7.0
- reading
- 7.0
- writing
- 7.0
- speaking
- 7.0
Scores are minimums: the score in each skill must be at least the figure shown, as well as the overall band.
What else to know
- IELTS for UKVI Academic is accepted; IELTS Life Skills is not.
- All four scores must come from one sitting.
- "Recent" means less than two years old when you apply. Older scores may be accepted with evidence that you have kept up your English, for example by working as a pharmacy professional in a mainly English-speaking country.
- The alternative is the Pharmacy OET with at least grade B in all four areas at one sitting; OET@Home is not accepted.
Official sources
- GPhC: Guidance on evidence of English language skills (June 2025, PDF)assets.pharmacyregulation.org/files/2025-06/gphc-guidance-on-evidence-of-english-language-skills-june-2025_0.pdf?VersionId=mVM04vIcMMIFvAEFLndFbbECucj_rCfB
- GPhC: Language requirementswww.pharmacyregulation.org/pharmacists/registering-pharmacist/eea-qualified-pharmacist-registration/language-requirements
Figures confirmed by hand on 23 October 2026; sources last checked automatically on 23 October 2026. Requirements change: the official source always decides.
Preparing for this score
This requirement is for IELTS Academic. Writing is usually the hardest score to reach, so practise full Task 1 and Task 2 answers under time and check where you lose marks.
See how close you are to the score you need
Take a timed mock test and get estimated band scores for each skill, with the errors that are costing you marks.
Try a mock testOther requirements in United Kingdom
- NMC (nurses, midwives and nursing associates)Listening 7.0, reading 7.0, writing 6.5, speaking 7.0
- GMC (doctors)Overall 7.5; 7.0 in each skill
- HCPC (allied health professions)Overall 7.0; 6.5 in each skill
- Skilled Worker and Health and Care Worker visas5.5 in each skill; CEFR B2 in reading, writing, speaking and listening
- Student visaCEFR B2 for degree-level study; CEFR B1 below degree level
- Family visa (partner or spouse)CEFR A1 for a first application; A2 to extend after 2.5 years; B1 for settlement after 5 years
This page summarises a published requirement. It is not immigration or legal advice, and we cannot advise on individual cases: for that, use the official body or a regulated adviser. IELTS is a registered trademark. IELTS Prep Studio is not affiliated with or endorsed by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, or Cambridge Assessment English.