How to Pursue Clinical Internship/Electives in the UK

Post MBBS Clinical Internship/Electives in the UK without PLAB is an opportunity for International Medical Graduates to gain exposure in NHS hospitals and enhance their clinical knowledge in their preferred specialities. Elective placements are offered by well-known and renowned medical schools of top-ranked British universities.

Clinical Internship/Electives in the UK: Who can apply?

Medical Graduates who are in the final year of their clinical study and pursuing their MBBS or Primary Medical Qualification from a medical school/institution listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools

Clinical Internship/Electives in the UK without PLAB: Specialties Covered

The UK offer clinical placement in a range of specialities as per the interest of the applicant. The aim of this unique programme is to enable visiting international students to pursue in-depth an area of their own interest and to gain experience in clinical practice in the UK healthcare system with the same rights, duties and responsibilities as a UK medical student.

Acute & Elderly Medicine – very limited availability   Clinical Chemistry/Metabolic Bone ClinicsGeneral SurgeryNeurologyPaediatric NeonateRenal Transplant
Ageing & HealthClinical PharmacologyGeriatric & General MedicineObstetrics & Gynaecology – very limited availabilityPaediatric NephrologyResearch Oncology/Division of Cancer Studies- Medicine
Anaesthesia & Pain ManagementClinical ToxicologyGI SurgeryOncologyPaediatric NeurologyThoracic Surgery
AnaestheticsCritical CareHaematologyOphthalmologyPaediatric NeurosciencesTransplantation
Breast SurgeryDiabetesHistopathologyOrthopaedicsPaediatric RespiratoryTrauma & Orthopaedics
Breast Surgery, Cancer StudiesEmergency MedicineHIV/Sexual HealthOrthopaedics & TraumaPaediatric SurgeryTrauma Surgery
Breast Surgery, Academic OncologyElderly MedicineInstitute of Liver StudiesPaediatric CardiologyPaediatric HaemoglobinopathiesUrological Surgery
Cardiac SurgeryEndocrinologyIntensive CarePaediatric GastroenterologyPalliative MedicineUrology
CardiologyGastroenterologyLiver Critical CarePaediatric HaematologyPlastic SurgeryVascular Surgery
Centre for Inherited Metabolic DisordersGeneral MedicineNeonatologyPaediatric HepatologyRadiology 
Chronic Pain / AnaestheticGeneral PaediatricsNeurosurgeryPaediatric Intensive CareRenal & Urology
Specialities Clinical Electives in the UK

Clinical Internship/Electives in the UK: Entry Requirements/Criteria

  • Applicant must be a final year MBBS student at an institution listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools.
  • You will need a transcript of your results from your medical degree to date, authenticated by the Dean or Registrar of your medical school.
  • Letter of permission from medical school to undertake Clinical Elective in the UK
  • DBS Check
  • Must meet English Language proficiency requirements
  • Meet Occupational Health Requirements by NHS

Clinical Internship/Electives in the UK without PLAB: Duration of Placement

Duration of Internship/Elective placement is a minimum of 4 weeks or up to a maximum of 8 weeks. Applicant can undertake a placement in one speciality for the full duration of the placement. Candidates are required to select three specialities of their choice in preference order at the time of filing the application. Most of the Universities charge a non-refundable application fee ranging between GBP 100 – 300.

Clinical Internship/Electives in the UK: Fees

Universities charge a reasonable fee for electives in the Department of School of Medicine. Fees for the placement depend upon the duration and university of placement starting at GBP 150 to GBP 800.

Accommodation, visa, flight and other miscellaneous charges are extra.

Universities offering Clinical Internships/Electives in the UK without PLAB

  • University College London
  • King’s College London
  • University of Leeds
  • Imperial College London
  • University of Bristol
  • University of Sheffield
  • University of Dundee
  • University of Newcastle
  • University of Edinburgh
  • University of Glasgow
  • and many more…

Clinical Internships/Electives in the UK: Visa and Accommodation

Applicants are required to apply for relevant visa to pursue clinical placement in the UK. Students from outside the UK require a Standard visitor visa for study to enter the UK to take up a clinical elective placement.

Visiting medical elective students are required to make their own accommodation arrangements and are liable for the associated costs. There may be vacancies in the university student halls/hostels which students can apply for by contacting the Accommodation Office of the concerned university, once in receipt of a confirmed elective placement offer.