If you searched for “NMC OSCE test centres 2026” because you’re not sure where to book, you’re not alone. Two of the five centres that used to run the OSCE have closed in the last twelve months, and a lot of the information floating around in nursing WhatsApp groups and Facebook pages is out of date.
This guide sets out exactly which centres are currently approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) to deliver the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), what changed, and what it practically means for your booking, your resit, and your preparation timeline.
We’ll keep the tone simple and factual. No panic, no guesswork just what’s confirmed and what you need to do next.
Quick Answer: The Current NMC-Approved OSCE Centres
As of now, there are three NMC-approved centres delivering the OSCE for internationally educated nurses, midwives, and nursing associates:
| Test Centre | Status |
| University of Northampton | Open and accepting bookings |
| Ulster University | Open and accepting bookings |
| Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust | Open and accepting bookings |
| Oxford Brookes University | Closed since 31 July 2026 |
| Northumbria University | Closed since 19 February 2026 |
If you were planning to sit your OSCE at Oxford Brookes or Northumbria, you’ll need to book at one of the three remaining centres, or, if you already sat and failed a station there, follow the specific transfer process for resits (covered in detail in our related guide on resitting after a test centre closure).
Why Do NMC OSCE Test Centres Close?
It’s worth understanding this, because it isn’t unusual, and it isn’t a sign of anything wrong with the OSCE itself. The NMC works with a small number of university and NHS partners who are contracted to deliver the practical exam on its behalf. Contracts end, capacity changes, and partners sometimes step back from delivering the test this has happened more than once since the current Test of Competence structure was introduced.
What matters for you as a candidate is simple: the exam itself, its structure, its marking criteria, and its standards haven’t changed because a centre closed. Only the list of places you can sit it has changed.
What This Means If You Haven’t Booked Yet
If you’re still at the stage of preparing for your CBT or getting ready to book your first OSCE attempt, the practical impact is straightforward: you now choose between three centres instead of five. Each delivers the same NMC-blueprinted test, with the same station structure and the same marking standards, regardless of location.
Realistically, your decision will come down to:
- Location and travel cost how far you need to travel and whether you’ll need accommodation.
- Booking availability with fewer centres, popular exam dates can fill up faster, so it’s worth booking earlier than you might have previously.
- Familiarity with the environment some candidates prefer to visit or research a centre’s layout in advance through their preparation provider.
None of the three current centres is “easier” than another. The OSCE is standardised precisely so that this isn’t the case the same clinical scenarios, timing, and marking criteria apply everywhere.
What This Means If You Were Booked at Oxford Brookes or Northumbria
If your booking was cancelled or you’re mid-way through resits at one of the closed centres, you are not starting from scratch. The NMC has confirmed a transfer process:
- You choose which of the remaining approved centres you’d like to resit at.
- You email that centre directly, including a specific reference in your subject line so they know it’s a transfer request.
- Once the new centre confirms it can accommodate you, they notify the NMC and your booking is updated.
- From that point, any further resits must be taken at your new centre you can’t switch back and forth.
If your identity check hadn’t been completed at the closed centre, that also needs to happen at your new centre, and it’s worth knowing that ID check appointment availability can vary between centres.
We’ve written a full step-by-step breakdown of this exact process, including what to put in your email and what to expect afterwards.
Comparing the Three Approved OSCE Centres
Here’s a general overview to help you plan. Always confirm current availability, fees, and location details directly with the centre before booking, as capacity changes throughout the year.
| Centre | Region | Best For |
| University of Northampton | East Midlands, England | Candidates based in the Midlands or South England |
| Ulster University | Northern Ireland | Candidates based in Northern Ireland or looking for shorter travel from Ireland |
| Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust | Yorkshire, England | Candidates based in the North of England |
Wherever you sit your OSCE, the test itself is identical in structure: ten stations, covering assessment and care planning (APIE), clinical skills, professional values, and evidence-based practice. If you want a refresher on exactly how those stations work and how they’re marked, our detailed OSCE preparation resources cover this in full.
Booking Timeline: What to Expect
With fewer centres delivering the exam nationally, it’s sensible to build in extra lead time. A realistic planning timeline looks like this:
| Stage | Suggested Timing |
| Confirm your field-specific eligibility and pass your CBT | Before booking OSCE |
| Choose your preferred approved centre | As early as possible |
| Book your OSCE slot | As soon as you’re ready don’t wait until the last minute given reduced centre capacity |
| Begin structured OSCE preparation | At least 6–8 weeks before your test date, ideally longer |
| Attend your OSCE | On your booked date |
| Receive results | Within 5 working days |
Common Mistakes Candidates Make Right Now
Because this is a recent change, we’re seeing a few avoidable mistakes:
- Relying on outdated blog posts or social media groups that still list five centres, including the two that have closed.
- Assuming a resit automatically transfers without candidates actually emailing the new centre themselves it doesn’t happen automatically.
- Leaving booking too late, not accounting for the fact that three centres are now absorbing demand that used to be spread across five.
- Choosing a centre based on rumour about which one is “easier,” when in reality the exam content and standard are the same everywhere.
Does the Centre You Choose Affect Your Pass Rate?
This is one of the most common questions we get, so it’s worth answering directly: no reputable evidence supports the idea that one NMC-approved centre is meaningfully easier or harder than another. The OSCE is designed and marked centrally to a fixed blueprint precisely to prevent this kind of variation. Your preparation, not your postcode, is what determines your result.
That said, practical factors like travel fatigue, unfamiliar surroundings, or last-minute logistics can affect performance on the day which is exactly why solid preparation should include practising your journey, timing, and routine in advance, not just the clinical content.
How to Prepare With Confidence, Whichever Centre You Choose
Choosing the right OSCE training can significantly impact your success rate, particularly when travel and centre logistics add an extra layer of pressure to an already demanding exam. Structured preparation covering the full station format, marking criteria, and realistic mock exams matters more than which specific centre you’re assigned to.
Medax OSCE Academy runs comprehensive preparation programmes across every nursing field, available onsite, virtually, or as a full comprehensive track, so you can prepare in the format that fits your schedule and confidence level. You can explore all current OSCE training programmes or view the complete course catalogue to find the right fit for your field and learning style.
If you’re preparing for Adult Nursing, our Adult Nursing OSCE Comprehensive programme covers the full station format end to end. Mental Health, Midwifery, Paediatric, and Nursing Associate candidates have equivalent comprehensive, onsite, and virtual options tailored to their field.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Oxford Brookes University still an NMC OSCE test centre?
No. The Oxford Brookes University OSCE centre closed on 31 July 2026. Candidates previously booked there need to arrange a resit at one of the three remaining approved centres.
Is Northumbria University still an NMC OSCE test centre?
No. The Northumbria University OSCE centre closed on 19 February 2026, for both the RN/RM route and the nursing associate route.
How many NMC-approved OSCE centres are there now?
Three: University of Northampton, Ulster University, and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
Will my OSCE be different depending on which centre I sit it at?
No. All approved centres deliver the same NMC-blueprinted stations, timings, and marking criteria. The exam content is standardised nationally.
Do I need to do anything if I was booked at a closed centre and haven’t sat my OSCE yet?
Yes. You’ll need to contact the NMC or your new chosen centre to arrange your booking at an approved centre, following the current transfer process.
Will more centres close in future?
The NMC periodically reviews its network of test-delivery partners, so it’s worth checking the official NMC OSCE page close to your exam date for the current list, rather than relying on older articles.
Does a centre closure affect the cost of the OSCE?
No. The standard OSCE fee and reduced resit fee structure apply regardless of which approved centre you sit your exam at.
Final Thoughts
Test centre closures can feel unsettling when you’re already juggling exam preparation, work, and often relocation planning. But the core facts here are simple and reassuring: the exam hasn’t changed, the standard hasn’t changed, and there are still three fully approved, NMC-recognised centres ready to take your booking.
What matters most now is choosing your centre early, understanding the transfer process if it applies to you, and preparing thoroughly regardless of location.
If you’d like structured guidance through this process from choosing your centre to building genuine exam-day confidence, register with Medax OSCE Academy today and speak to our team about the training pathway that fits your situation.
