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Abstract. In this paper we present a nonconforming finite element method for solving fourth order curl equations in three dimensions arising from magnetohydrodynamics models. We show that the method has an optimal error estimate for a model problem involving both (∇×) 2 and (∇×) 4 operators. The element has a very small number of degrees of freedom, and it imposes the inter-element continuity along the tangential direction which is appropriate for the approximation of magnetic fields. We also provide explicit formulae of basis functions for this element.