The information on this page will provide important information on preparing your candidates and how to book if you are a NHS Trust or Agency.
NHS Trust and Agency dedicated test days
The Test Centre is able to run OSCEs up to five days a week.
Whilst we appreciate there may be internal demands within your Trusts, such as training, we request that all Trusts contact us as soon as possible if they have candidates who need to take the OSCE within a restricted time period.
Whilst we will do everything we can, we cannot guarantee that your candidates will be assessed on or by certain days or dates.
To formally request a dedicated test day for your Trust please complete the online enquiry form.
We will try to accommodate your request for specific dates. Failing this, we will provide you with reasonable alternatives.
We are only able to hold/reserve a test day for a maximum period of five days.
Group Bookings
We cater for group and block bookings from NHS Trusts and Agencies.
It can take up to ten days to confirm a group booking
Candidate details are required when booking the OSCE
In order to continue supporting candidates and employers with their OSCE bookings, we require candidates, employers and agencies to provide candidate details at least eight weeks before their OSCE appointment.
If candidate details are not provided three weeks prior to the OSCE appointment, the appointment will be automatically cancelled by the test centre and a refund provided. Priority booking spaces will then be offered to individuals who are currently on our waiting list.
This is important so that we can plan capacity based on confirmed bookings. This also helps the NMC to ensure candidates who need to sit the legacy test before 31 July are able to do so.
The following candidate information is required when making an OSCE booking:
- Candidate's name
- Candidate's PRN (10 digit number beginning with 10...)
- Application type (e.g. Adult Nursing, Children's Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Learning Disability Nursing, Midwifery, Nursing Associate)
- Which exam candidate will be sitting (Legacy or ToC 2021)
Booking process
Once your candidate has received confirmation from the NMC they are eligible to sit the Test of Competence
- The candidate can contact us individually to arrange payment and book a place on an individual test day
- You can confirm your candidates to us and make a payment by contacting ctc@ulster.ac.uk
Once booked, candidates will receive details on how to access preparation materials will provide them with all the information they will need to prepare themselves for the examination.
Please note that we strongly recommend at least 14 days access to the online material in order to help candidates prepare sufficiently for the exam.
Examination process
The OSCE examination consists of assessing the patient journey and assessment of skills. Candidates are in the test centre for approximately three hours.
An identification (ID) check will be conducted on-site by the NMC ID checker during your OSCE where all the candidate’s original documents submitted as part of the application process to the NMC will be verified.
Please see the NMC website for further details.
Cost of the examination
The OSCE test costs £794. (Effective from 1st April 2019)
Should your candidate need to re-sit, the costs are as outlined below..
*Please allow ten days between original test date and re-sit to allow for additional preparation and action on feedback.
Test | Description | Costs |
|---|---|---|
OSCE | Full OSCE application | £794 |
Legacy ToC 2014 | Partial Resit Fail (1 - 4 stations)For candidates who failed up to four stations across both the APIE / skill stations: Full Resit (5-6 stations)For candidates who failed five or more stations across both the APIE and skill stations:
| £397 |
Legacy ToC 2014 | Full Resit (5-6 stations)For candidates who failed five or more stations across both the APIE and skill stations:
| £794 |
| ToC 2021 | 1st Attempt Fail (1-7 Stations) For candidates who failed up to 7 stations across both the APIE/skill stations. You will require a resit at 50% cost which is equal to £397. | £397 |
| ToC 2021 | 1st Attempt Fail (8-10 Stations) For candidates who failed 8 - 10 stations across both the APIE/skill stations. You will require a resit at full cost which is equal to £794. You will need to sit only the APIE station(s) that you failed. You will be given your original paperwork from the APIE stations that you passed (where applicable), in order to complete the resit station(s). You will require 10 days to elapse before booking your 2nd attempt. | £794 |
2nd Resit | Costs are as 1st Resit. Should a candidate fail the 2nd resit then a new OSCE application is required. The new application will be charged at full cost. |
Cancellation Policy
NHS Trusts and Agencies can change their candidates’ examination dates.
Should you wish to cancel or reschedule your candidate examination please contact us.
Methods of payment
We accept all methods of payment, either via payment card (except AMEX), or invoice (with a purchase order number if applicable).
Payment via invoice is expected within 28 days.
Once we have received the purchase order number (if applicable), or you have received the invoice (once confirming your booking to us via email) we can process your candidates.
When making a payment you need to include the following information:
- Name of organisation;
- Appropriate contact name and contact details;
- Registered address;
- Purchase order number (if applicable);
- Names of candidates and candidate ID numbers.