Everyone who is writing NMC Test of Competence Part 2 will be aware that there are three recognised centers for your Objective Structured Clinical Examination or OSCE. Candidates will be wondering how can they reach the test centers? What are the facilities and equipments available at these centers? Is there any lodging facilities in and around the centers? and also about how to reach timely at these centers? This article provides you with a brief summary of each ot the recognised test centers for NMC OSCE.

Information about NMC OSCE Test Centers

We will discuss this topic broadly under the following headings

How to reach your OSCE Center?

In United Kingdom, each building or a specific area has a pin code unlike other countries. So if you get your test center pin code just type it in your google map app. It will show the available transport facilities to that pin code. It will be showing you the bus route, train route etc. Pin codes are a six letter phrase for eg. pin code for University of Northampton NMC OSCE test center is NN1 1SY.

Buses – You will get long distance buses only in motor ways (National highways). Other buses will be of very short distances.

Train – Trains are available round the clock. There are peak times and off peak times. Train fares are dynamic that means it will be high during peak hours and will be less during off peak hours. You can buy an open ticket which can be used only in either peak hours or off peak hours (depending on type you purchased) irrespective of time.

You may need to change trains at stations in between to reach your destination. But you can take the full ticket all at once including the return ones. Train tickets can also be bought online.

Taxis – Taxi fare is considerably high in UK. But there are many people working as taxi drivers with out a taxi badge. You can save a big amount of money by using them. Only thing is you will need to pay them by cash.

Where you can you stay overnight before exam?

There are travel lodges all around UK which gives you accommodation at affordable costs. You will have to book your room a minimum of one month before to get it around 18 to 24 pounds per day. You can check the distance from the travel lodge (using pincode) to your test center by use of google maps.

There are also some other affordable hotels given in university sites.

You can get a break fast at a travel lodge by paying a 5 pounds extra.

How long do the exam lasts?

Your osce exam will last for around 1 to 1.5 hours even though in the admit card/booking reciept it will be showing time duration of four hours.

What are the routines at an OSCE Exam Center?

First they will make you sign a confidentiality agreement, then they will introduce you to OSCE exam pattern and equipments used (by one of the examiners), next you will be called according to booking. After finishing your OSCE, you will be asked for all original certificates you had provided during your NMC application for verification which will usually take 5 – 10 minutes. After this has been done, you can leave the test center.

The three NMC OSCE Test Centers

OSCE Test Center of University of Northampton

The University of Northampton Innovation Centre
Green Street
Northampton
NN1 1SY

Contact Details of University of Northampton

Email – ctc@northampton.ac.uk

Phone Number – 01604 892 066

OSCE Test Center at Oxford Brookes Unversity

Oxford Brookes University has two test centers located at Swindon and at Oxford.

Swindon Campus

Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
Oxford Brookes University
Delta 900
Welton Road
Westlea
Swindon
SN5 7XQ

Oxford Campus

Oxford Brookes University
Jack Straw’s Lane
Marston
Oxford
OX3 0FL

Contact Details of Oxford Brookes University
Email – ctc@brookes.ac.uk
Phone Number – 01865 488 414

Accommodation Options at Oxford University

At Swindon
Holiday Inn Express Swindon City Centre
Great Western Hotel Swindon
Lydiard House Conference Centre
Jurys Inn Swindon

At Oxford
Red Mullions Guest House
Pickwicks Guest House
All Seasons Guest House

OSCE Test Center at Ulster University, Northern Ireland

Ulster University
Northland Road
Derry~Londonderry
County Londonderry
BT48 7JL

Contact Details of Ulster University

Ulster University – Magee
Email – ctc@ulster.ac.uk
Phone Numbers – 02871 675 540, 02871 675 698

You need to produce all the documents you have submitted to NMC as a part of application at your OSCE center after your exam.

Hopes this article is useful to some one who is going to take the NMC test of Competence Part 2 exam or OSCE in the immediate future.

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