Medical & Healthcare Student Elective Placements

Are you ready to elevate your medical and healthcare elective placement?

Your elective is a unique opportunity to gain valuable experience that will shape your future career. By choosing an overseas elective, you’ll go beyond the ordinary and unlock your potential.

Learn about healthcare from doctors and nurses in different countries and gain practical work experience for your future career.

Choose from or rotate between selected specialisms, including:

Anaesthesia
Cardiology
Dentistry
Ear, nose, and throat
General medicine
General surgery
Maternity
Nursing
Occupational therapy
Paediatrics
Physiotherapy
Radiology
Intensive Care
…and more

Choose your elective placement

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Frequently Asked Questions

How an overseas elective can transform your career and lead to personal growth

Boost Your Career

Broaden your clinical experience: Witnessing how healthcare is delivered in a different country provides a unique perspective and a deeper understanding of global health challenges. You’ll observe diverse cases and encounter new practices and techniques that you wouldn’t come across in the NHS. You’ll also be supporting communities in need.
Stand out from the crowd: An overseas elective demonstrates adaptability, resourcefulness, and a commitment to global health. This will make you a more competitive candidate for future roles.
Network with experts: Build connections with healthcare professionals from all over the world, creating a powerful professional network.
Increased cultural awareness: Experience a different way of life when you live and work abroad. Pick up key soft skills when you navigate your new environment and interact with patients from an entirely new culture.
Personal growth: Completing your elective abroad will lead to increased resilience and enhanced problem-solving skills, leaving you with more confidence in unfamiliar situations. Combining travel with your elective will also broaden your horizon.

Read what Katherine H, a nursing elective who went to Sri Lanka has to say about her experience:

“It was incredible to learn about the differences between healthcare in Sri Lanka and in the UK. I hadn’t realised how much I had taken away from this nursing experience until I was back in practice in the UK; I am so glad that I had the opportunity to learn in this limited-resource setting, it has been invaluable for my practice.”

Why plan your elective with Projects Abroad?

Planning an overseas medical elective can feel like a juggling act. From securing placements and visas to finding accommodation, there’s a lot to consider.

Choosing a specialist provider like Projects Abroad makes it easy. We handle all the details so you can focus on what matters most: learning, growing, and experiencing a new culture.

Here’s why students choose Projects Abroad:

All-inclusive logistics: We handle every detail, from airport transfers and private accommodation to meals. You’ll be supported throughout your entire experience.
Guaranteed placements: We’ve built strong relationships with hospitals and clinics worldwide, so you can be confident that a placement is ready and waiting for you.
24/7 in-country support: Our dedicated team is available around the clock, every day of the year.
Safety and security: Your well-being is our highest priority. We proactively nurture a safe environment and have comprehensive risk assessments.
Expert supervision: A dedicated, English-speaking doctor will supervise and support your elective.
Tailored placements: We’ll find the perfect fit for your interests and goals, whether you want to specialise in a specific field or rotate through different departments.
Flexible dates: Choose a placement that suits your schedule, from one week to 12 weeks.
A global community: You’ll live with fellow medical students and graduates from all over the world, creating a supportive community and lifelong friendships.

We offer medical elective placements in Cambodia, Ghana, and Tanzania, providing diverse clinical and cultural experiences.

What funding is available?

The Medical Schools Council maintains an up-to-date list of Elective Bursaries that are available.

Visit their website for more information.

What is a medical elective?

A medical elective is a short-term placement where medical students gain hands-on experience in real healthcare settings. Electives can be take place in the UK or abroad and are usually arranged by students during a dedicated elective period, often in the final or penultimate year of medical school.

With Projects Abroad, it’s your opportunity to explore the world while you grow personally and professionally.

An overseas medical elective with us goes beyond the ordinary. You won’t just be observing; you’ll be actively participating and learning from local healthcare professionals.

It’s about building confidence, gaining a global perspective, and contributing to communities. This is your passport to personal growth.

Speak to your Project Expert today to start planning your life-changing medical elective.