Do I need a UK employer before sitting OSCE?

OSCE (Test of Competence Part 2) is taken inside the UK at NMC-approved centres — Oxford, Dundee, and London Northwick Park are the main ones. You travel to the UK to sit it.

For the vast majority of African candidates that travel happens on a Health & Care Worker visa, which requires a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a UK-based employer (NHS trust or qualifying private body). Without an employer, you generally cannot enter the UK as a working candidate to sit OSCE.

Most UK employers also fund the OSCE fee, the prep course, accommodation, and flights as part of their international-recruitment package. Confirm this in writing before signing.

There are rare visitor-visa routes for self-funded candidates, but the path is narrow and the visa rules can change — confirm directly with NMC and UK Visas & Immigration.