The Education Academy
Visiting Elective Programme
The Visiting Student Elective Programme offers 1-4 week, observational placements for UK and international medical students in their penultimate or final year of study. Based at one of the Barts Health NHS Trust hospital sites, students gain first-hand insight into their chosen specialty by shadowing clinicians and observing day-to-day clinical practice.
Eligibility:
Elective Placements must start on the first date of each block listed above.
The Trust are not in the position to accommodate split Electives, date overlaps or students whose Elective Placement falls outside the block periods.
- Applicant must be a student in their penultimate or final year of medical school.
- Students must be studying at a Medical School that is listed on the World Directory of Medical Schools.
- Students must be in good standing with their Medical School and be able to provide a letter of recommendation.
- Students must meet Occupational Health checks before undertaking their placement & provide adequate Enhanced DBS/Local Police Check requirements.
- Students must have a valid passport and be able to provide 3 valid forms of proof of ID.
- Students must have the appropriate visa permission (if applicable) to undertake an Elective Placement.
- English Language Proficiency
Any applications submitted which do not meet these requirements will not be considered and rejected.
(Please refer to the Applicant Handbook below for the full requirements and specifications for each document)
Application Process
Applications must be submitted during the designated application window. Please note that application windows may close early if capacity is reached, and applications submitted outside the advertised application windows will not be considered.
Applications must be for placement dates within the block you are applying for. Requests for dates outside the selected block will not be considered.
All elective placements must start on the first day of the selected block, as listed below. Alternative start dates cannot be accommodated.
Please note we cannot offer split placements across departments.
| 2027 | Placement Dates | Applications Open |
| Block 1 | 11th January 2027 – 5th February 2027 | 16th-27th November 2026 |
| Block 2 | 8th February 2027 – 5th March 2027 | 30th November – 11th December 2026 |
| Block 3 | 5th April 2027– 30th April 2027 | 25th January – 5th February 2027 |
| Block 4 | 10th May 2027 – 4th June 2027 | 1st – 12th March 2027 |
| Block 5 | 7th June 2027 – 2nd July 2027 | 29th March – 9th April 2027 |
During an open application window, the form will appear on this page (input if we are using Gravity).
Fees
The total fixed fee for an elective placement is £950, comprising the following:
- Administration fee: £500 – non-refundable.
- Placement fee: £450 – refundable only in exceptional circumstances, in accordance with the Refund Policy.
Successful applicants will receive formal confirmation of their elective placement and must pay the full £950 fee within five working days of receiving their offer.
Failure to make payment within this timeframe will result in the offer of placement being withdrawn. Once full payment has been received, the honorary contract process will commence.
(Please note we are unable to facilitate placements through the Erasmus+ programme.)
APPLY HERE BOX (again if possible)
Frequently Asked Questions
What am I allowed to do whilst on placement?
The visiting elective programme is strictly an observational placement. There are clear limitations on the duties and opportunities for visiting elective observers and the supervising consultant may use their discretion to allow the following interaction with patients:
- attendance at ward rounds.
- observation of consultations in clinics.
- undertaking of patient histories under direct clinical supervision in a clinical observer capacity only.
- undertaking routine physical examinations with the patients’ consent under direct clinical supervision by registered medical member of staff.
- directly observing surgery (i.e. not assisting in surgery)
Under no circumstances may a visiting elective observer:
- perform invasive procedures.
- advise on patient treatment.
- initiate, alter, or stop the treatment of a patient.
- document or make changes to the patient care record.
- take part in any procedure involving patients, including ordering tests, taking specimens, obtaining, or witnessing signatures for consent
- visit other departments except for appropriate attachments where agreed in advance with the supervising consultant and other consultant staff
Can I be signed off for competencies?
As the placement is observational in nature, it does not involve the activities required for formal clinical competency assessment and sign-off.
What if I have already obtained approval from a consultant for my placement?
Arrangements with a consultant without making an application will not be considered. Where a consultant has agreed to support the proposed placement, this may be indicated on the application form, however please note that the requested dates must be within the block dates and begin on Day 1of the relevant block.
How long can my placement last?
Placements can span from a minimum of 1 week to a maximum of 4 weeks, beginning on a Monday and ending on a Friday.
Can I apply early/get an early decision?
Out of fairness to other applicants who apply in the same application round, we cannot allow for applications to be received outside of the timeframes advertised on our website. Early decisions are also not guaranteed. It is best advised to apply as soon as the application round is open, as applications are reviewed in the order received, on a first come, first served basis.
One of my required documents is delayed – Can I still submit my application and have it placed on hold until I can submit the missing documents?
To ensure a fair and consistent application process, all documents required at the application stage, including your CV, covering letter and references, must be submitted alongside your application. These requirements are outlined in the handbook, and applicants are responsible for ensuring they have all the necessary documents ready before submitting their application. Unfortunately, we are unable to hold incomplete applications pending receipt of outstanding documents.
Once you have secured a placement, you will have approximately 6–8 weeks to gather and submit any additional documentation required for the honorary contract process. These requirements are also outlined in the handbook, and it is the applicant’s responsibility to review these in advance and ensure the necessary documents can be provided within the required timeframe.
Do I need a VISA to travel?
Students must have the appropriate permission to enter the UK as a Standard Visitor for the purpose of undertaking their elective. Depending on nationality, this may be a Standard Visitor visa, an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), or, in some circumstances, neither. Please check the GOV.UK guidance for travelling to the UK. If your government requires a confirmation of placement letter, this can be requested from
What are the fees?
There is a fixed fee of £950 (£500 administration fee, 450 placement fee).
How do I pay my fees?
If your application is successful and you are offered a placement, you will receive an invitation letter via email confirming your placement offer, which will also include the link to complete your payment.
You will have five working days from the date the invitation email is sent to pay the full fee. Please note that failure to make payment within this timeframe will result in your placement offer being withdrawn.
By completing the payment, you are formally accepting your placement offer.
Am I entitled to a refund of the placement fee as my placement falls within a Bank Holiday?
Refunds of the Elective Placement Fee are not considered if your placement falls within a Bank Holiday.
If my Elective Placement is for less than 4 weeks, will the fee be reduced?
The standard fee of £950 (£500 administration fee, 450 placement fee) is fixed and the same for all Electives between 1-4 weeks.
Can I split my placement between different departments?
Unfortunately, split placements are not permitted. Your entire Elective Placement will take place within a single department.
Can my requested placement dates fall outside the designated block dates or overlap between two blocks?
Your requested placement dates must begin on Day 1 of one of the designated blocks and fall entirely within that block’s specified dates. Placements cannot overlap between two blocks or extend beyond the dates listed. Applications that do not meet these requirements will be rejected.
Can I change my requested department or dates once I’ve been allocated a place?
No, once an offer of an Elective Placement has been given, it is non-negotiable.
How do I obtain an enhanced DBS?
Please contact your university, who will be able to arrange an Enhanced DBS check on your behalf. If your existing DBS certificate is more than 12 months old, you will need to request a new Enhanced DBS check through your university.
Where Barts Health NHS Trust is required to request a Certificate of No Criminal Conviction (CNCC) on your behalf, please email the relevant team as soon as you receive your invitation letter to confirm that a CNCC is required.
Will I be covered by insurance for any liability arising from my activities during the placement?
All Elective Placement student must hold an Honorary Contract with Barts Health, which:
- Provides NHS indemnity cover
- Is subject to the same pre-employment checks as substantive staff, in line with Trust policy and NHS Employers Checking Standards
Honorary contracts are unpaid and do not include salary, sick pay, paid leave, travel expenses or pension contributions.
Do you provide accommodation?
Barts Health is unable to provide accommodation throughout your placement.
What is the dress code?
Students attending their Elective Placement must adhere to the Barts Health Trust dress code policies. If you require scrubs on your placement, these will be provided within the designated department, however must be returned at the end of each day.
When will I receive my Certificate of Completion.
The Medical Education Team will provide you with a Certificate of Completion once you have completed your Elective Placement, submitted your feedback form and returned your student ID badge and lanyard.
Any clinical documentation required by your home institution can be signed by your supervising clinician before your departure.
Can I still apply if I am not in my final year of study?
Applicants must be in their penultimate or final year of study at the time of application. Applications from students who do not meet this requirement will be rejected.
Can I apply through the Erasmus + programme?
We are currently unable to facilitate placements through the Erasmus+ programme.
