Fifth OSCE test centre opens to candidates in Leeds

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is the fifth partner to offer internationally trained professionals and those returning to practice the chance to take their Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). This is the newest test site to open as part of the NMC’s current drive to increase the number of OSCE providers and test capacity.

This will give candidates more choice about where to take their test so they can join our register quickly and safely. Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust joins Northumbria University, Oxford Brookes University, the University of Northampton and Ulster University, meaning OSCE providers across the UK can now accommodate up to 35,000 candidates each year.

Andrea Sutcliffe, Chief Executive and Registrar at the NMC, said:

“I’m delighted that our newest test site is now open in Leeds, making our OSCE tests even more accessible to skilled nursing and midwifery professionals. Increasing our total national OSCE testing capacity to 35,000 candidates each year, will help more professionals to join our register quickly and safely."

"We’re grateful to Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust for working with us to make this happen so that people across the UK can continue to receive the safe, kind and effective care they deserve. I was particularly impressed with the care and thought Leeds had given to supporting candidates with kindness and fairness.”

Notes

• The NMC uses the Test of Competence (ToC) to assess the skills and knowledge of people applying to join our register from overseas or rejoin our register after a long period away from practice. Each Test of Competence is split into two parts – a multiple-choice computer based test known as the CBT, and a practical test known as the OSCE.
• Further information about the Test of Competence and the OSCE can be found on our website.

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