Career in Medicine...

Medical Student Elective, Clinical Attachment and Work Experience

Work Experience

Work Experience is open for over 16+ years for a maximum of 5 days.

Initially Applicants are required to provide confirmation from a consultant willing to sponsor the placement. A list of consultants can be found on our Trust Website here.
• Only one student will be placed within a department at any one time, joint applications are not accepted.
• Placements start on a Monday (or Tuesday if Monday is a UK Bank holiday)
• Only departments which have significant activity and capacity to provide worthwhile work experience.
• One consultant to be responsible for supporting the application and ensuring that there is an appropriate and educational plan set for the elective period and for monitoring progress.
Once sponsor is confirmed please send to: medicaleducation@uhcw.nhs.uk for the relevant forms required to complete your application.

Please note Occupational Health clearance can take up to 3-4 weeks, so please allow for this in your application. 

Medical Student Electives

A limited number of elective placements may be made to various specialties within the hospital. However, the Trust is already busy with a large number of students from Warwick Medical School. We have therefore drawn up the following guidance which should prove useful for students looking for elective placements.

This guidance is relevant to both students looking for elective attachment and consultants who have directly received requests.

Initially Applicants are required to provide confirmation from a consultant willing to sponsor the placement. A list of consultants can be found on our Trust Website here.
• Applications can be accepted from students in their final or penultimate year at medical school for periods of 4 weeks.
• Applications may be submitted four months in advance of the date the elective is due to start.
• Only one student will be placed within a department at any one time, joint applications are not accepted.
• Placements start on a Monday (or Tuesday if Monday is a UK Bank holiday)
• Only departments which have significant activity and capacity to provide worthwhile student experience.
• One consultant to be responsible for supporting the application and ensuring that there is an appropriate and educational plan set for the elective period and for monitoring progress.
• Parent university attendance forms may be signed officially within the Trust but not by Warwick Medical School staff.
Please note that the Medical School Dean or others are NOT permitted to sign for any placement.
• Visas: Tier 4 visas are not required for this type of elective and we are unable to provide CAS numbers.
Once sponsor is confirmed please send to Email: medicaleducation@uhcw.nhs.uk.

Please note that hospital accommodation is not available, and you must therefore make your own arrangements regarding somewhere to stay during your placement.


Clinical Attachments

Overseas doctors applying for jobs, or preparing for the PLAB examination may find it useful to undertake a clinical attachment. This is a non-paid, non contact observership.

Doctors do not need to be registered with the GMC to undergo a clinical attachment as they will not be carrying out any procedures. Usually, clinical attachments last for 4 weeks, during which time the doctor will be attached to a consultant and observe their work. Clinical attachments provide invaluable experience of the NHS, and can help overseas doctors gain a reference for future job applications.

To be considered for a Clinical Attachment you must write directly to the consultant of your choice requesting an attachment.  Once you have confirmation in writing from the Consultant please send it, along with your C.V. to MedicalEducation@uhcw.nhs.uk. A list of consultants can be found on our Trust Website here.

Please note: There are only a limited number of places available, but unsuccessful applicants can be left on file for future contact if requested.

Attachments are available in:
Cardiology
Endocrine
General Surgery
Neurology
Maxfax
Ophthalmology