Elective placements are for medical students who are enrolled to an institution other than the University of Cambridge. They take place at Addenbrooke’s Hospital.
Most electives run for 6 weeks. It is sometimes possible to do a 4-week elective. You can discuss this with us when you apply.
On this page:
- Entry requirements
- What you'll be doing
- Facilities
- How to apply
- Choosing a speciality
- Accommodation
- English language requirements
- Visa requirements
- Occupational health requirements
- When you start and finish
Entry requirements
You must:
- be studying at a university listed on the World Directory of Medical Schools
- be in the last 18 months of your degree
- meet our English language requirements
- pass our health assessment
What you’ll be doing
During the placement you’ll be assigned to one of the hospital’s departments. Although each placement is different, you’ll usually:
- attend ward rounds and department briefings
- shadow staff members at different levels of seniority
- observe and be invited to take part in medical procedures (depending on your skills level)
- join day shifts (some specialities may also ask if you wish to attend night shifts, this would be at your own discretion)
You will not be able to attend the teaching sessions and seminars offered to our Cambridge medical students, unless your supervisor invites you.
You'll have the same access to the clinical environment as Cambridge medical students. You'll be expected to operate within the General Medical Council’s framework for student doctors.
All patient activity should be restricted to carrying out, according to instructions and under supervision, only those tasks that have been authorised by the named supervisor (or other medically registered practitioner).
Facilities
You’ll have access to:
- on-site accommodation
- staff areas specific to your hospital rotation inside Addenbrooke’s Hospital
- the Hospital campus, which includes shops, restaurants and sports facilities
- the University of Cambridge Medical Library
- the student common room
How to apply
Stage 1
In Stage 1, you’ll need to:
- choose your preferred speciality
- complete the Google application form
- pay a non-refundable application fee of £64. The link to the payment platform is at the end of the application form. If you’re submitting multiple applications, you only need to pay the fee once.
You’ll also need to provide:
- proof of your English language proficiency
- an official transcript. This must not include any 'fails' (unless the subject was sat again and passed). It needs to be on headed paper, and stamped. The transcript must be in English. If the original is in a different language, a certified translated copy must be submitted with it.
- a reference letter from your university. This needs to be on headed paper, stamped, and signed by your university's Dean (or alternative senior faculty member at your university). The letter must include the date you’re graduating, an assessment of your character, academic abilities and English proficiency, as well as confirmation that the elective is a compulsory part of the course you’re studying.
If you’re successful in Stage 1, you’ll get a Provisional Offer letter inviting you to complete Stage 2 of the application process.
We aim to contact all applicants within 4 weeks of the application deadline.
Stage 2
Students will be given one month from the issuing of the Provisional Offer letter to complete Stage 2.
In Stage 2, you’ll have to:
- complete a health assessment
- submit an original colour copy of DBS/police check or equivalent in English. If the original copy is in a different language, a certified translated copy must be submitted with it
- submit a certified copy of your passport
- submit evidence that you’ve had a COVID-19 vaccination
- complete our standard visitor visa form (only for students who do not hold a UK or Irish passport)
- pay a non-refundable occupational health fee of £570
Stage 3
Students who have successfully completed Stage 2 will receive a final confirmation letter.
Two months before the start of the placement, you'll have to pay a non-refundable accommodation fee of £910.
Choosing a speciality
Block 1: 6 January to 14 February 2025
1.1 Haematology
1.2 Haematology
1.3 Endocrinology
1.4 Upper GI Surgery
1.5 Neuroscience-Neurology
1.6 Rehab Medicine
1.7 Respiratory Medicine
1.8 Respiratory Medicine
1.9 Radiology
Block 2: 17 February to 28 March 2025
2.1 Haematology
2.2 Haematology
2.3 Endocrinology
2.4 Trauma & Orthopaedics
2.5 Upper GI Surgery
2.6 Neuroscience-Neurology
2.7 Respiratory Medicine
2.8 Respiratory Medicine
2.9 Rheumatology
Block 3: 31 March to 9 May 2025
3.1 Haematology
3.2 Haematology
3.3 Endocrinology
3.4 Clinical Neurosciences-Neurosurgery (paediatric)
3.5 Upper GI Surgery
3.6 Neuroscience-Neurology
3.7 Paediatric Ophthalmology
3.8 Respiratory Medicine
3.9 Respiratory Medicine
Block 4: 12 May to 20 June 2025
4.1 Haematology
4.2 Haematology
4.3 Endocrinology
4.4 Trauma & Orthopaedics
4.5 Paediatrics
4.6 Paediatrics
4.7 Paediatrics
4.8 Medical Genetics
4.9 Upper GI Surgery
4.10 Neuroscience-Neurology
4.11 Rehab Medicine
4.12 Respiratory Medicine
4.13 Respiratory Medicine
4.14 Radiology
Block 5: 23 June to 1 August 2025
5.1 Haematology
5.2 Haematology
5.3 Endocrinology
5.4 Paediatrics
5.5 Paediatrics
5.6 Paediatrics
5.7 Upper GI Surgery
5.8 Neuroscience-Neurology
5.9 Respiratory Medicine
5.10 Respiratory Medicine
Block 6: 4 August to 12 September 2025
6.1 Haematology
6.2 Haematology
6.3 Medical Genetics
6.4 Upper GI Surgery
6.5 Neuroscience-Neurology
6.6 Breast Surgery
6.7 Respiratory Medicine
6.8 Respiratory Medicine
Block 7: 15 September to 24 October 2025
7.1 Haematology
7.2 Haematology
7.3 Endocrinology
7.4 Trauma and Orthopaedics
7.5 Upper GI Surgery
7.6 Neuroscience-Neurology
7.7 Rehab Medicine
7.8 Respiratory Medicine
7.9 Respiratory Medicine
7.10 Radiology
7.11 Rheumatology
Block 8: 27 October to 5 December 2025
8.1 Haematology
8.2 Haematology
8.3 Endocrinology
8.4 Clinical Neurosciences-Neurosurgery (paediatric)
8.5 Trauma and Orthopaedics
8.6 Upper GI Surgery
8.7 Neuroscience-Neurology
8.8 Rehab Medicine
8.9 Respiratory Medicine
8.10 Respiratory Medicine
8.11 Radiology
To apply for a placement, list your preferred number on the application form. For example, if you want to pick Rehab Medicine in Block 1, you will have to write '1.6'.
You can select up to 5 placements from each block (i.e. 1.3, 1.6, 1.4, etc.). If you are interested in more than one Block, you'll have to submit a separate application for each.
You can apply for more than one Block to enhance your chances of being selected, but please be aware that you'll only be chosen for one. You will need to pay £64 for the application fee if you submit applications for multiple Blocks. It is not possible to attend more than one Block.
The dates outlined above are the only ones we can offer.
We try our best to assign you to your preferred speciality. However, specialities are assigned on a first come, first served basis.
Accommodation
During your placement, you’ll share a flat with 3 other elective students. This flat will be on the Addenbrooke’s Hospital site.
You'll receive a welcome pack when you arrive.
The Addenbrooke’s site includes shops, restaurants and a fully equipped sports centre.
Your room
You’ll have a private bedroom, which is lockable.
The bedroom includes:
- a single bed with mattress, pillow and headboard
- wash basin
- desk and desk chair
- extra chair
- fitted wardrobe
- bedside lamp and shade
- wall mounted mirror
- net and blackout curtains
- bed linen (one pillowcase, one sheet and one blanket)
- towels
Internet access is available for a small fee. You can request this from the Grantchester House reception.
Kitchen and bathroom facilities
You’ll share a kitchen and bathroom with the 3 other elective students in the flat.
The kitchen has basic cooking equipment including plates, pans and cutlery.
Security
There are locks on the bedroom doors and the main entrance doors. Granchester House is also fitted with an external security door entry system.
The Addenbrooke’s Hospital employs 24-hour security staff.
Cleaning
The communal areas are cleaned weekly, and you’ll also be given clean bed linen each week. There are coin-operated laundry machines available.
English language requirements
You meet our English language requirements if you’re from one of the following English-speaking countries:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia (also Christmas Island, Norfolk Island, Keeling Islands, Cocos Islands)
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Bermuda
- British Antarctic Territory (also British Antarctica)
- British Indian Ocean Territory (also Chagos Archipelago, Indian Ocean Territory)
- British Virgin Islands, Canada (except for the French-speaking areas)
- Channel Islands
- Dominica
- Falkland Islands
- Gibraltar
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Irish Republic
- Jamaica
- Malta
- New Zealand (also Niue, Tokelau, Cook Islands)
- St Kitts and St Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- UK (including Isle of Man)
- USA
You can also meet our English language requirements if:
- your current course is entirely taught and assessed in English
- you’ve completed a 3-year qualification (equivalent to at least a UK Bachelor's or above) in one of the English-speaking countries listed above, graduating within the last 2.5 years.
- you’ve completed one of the following English language tests within the last 2 years:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 7.0 (with at least 7.0 in Speaking, Listening, and Writing, and 6.5 in Reading)
- TOEFL: Overall score of 100 (with no element below 25) meets requirements.
- C2 Proficiency: Overall score of 200, with no element lower than 185.
- C1 Advanced: Overall score of 193, with no element lower than 185, plus a Language Centre Assessment
We will also accept you if you pass a Language Centre Assessment and meet one of these criteria:
- you’re from one of these countries: Botswana, Ghana, India, Kenya, Mauritius, the Netherlands, Nigeria, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Sudan, South Sudan, Swaziland, Uganda, West Indies (except those listed in the English-speaking countries above), Zambia, Zimbabwe
- you have an overall TOEFL score of 80 (with at least 20 in each element)
- you have an overall IELTS score of 6.0 (with at least 6.0 in Speaking, Listening, Writing, and Reading)
Providing proof of your English language ability
You'll need to provide proof of your English language ability as part of your application.
This can be:
- a copy of your passport
- a letter from your home university that confirms that your course is taught and assessed in English
- a copy of your degree
- an English language test results certificate
Visa requirements
If you’re applying for a Visitor visa, we’ll send you a Visa letter to use as part of your application. This letter explains why you’re coming to the UK.
We will send you the letter 3 months before your placement starts.
You should not travel to the UK without obtaining a visa in advance or ensuring you have the correct documentation for presentation at the border.
Read more about obtaining visas on the Home Office website.
Occupational health requirements
You need to get clearance from the University of Cambridge Occupational Health (OH) Service to start your elective placement.
You’ll need to:
- complete a health assessment form
- declare any impairment or health condition which may mean you need adjustments
- attend an Occupational Health appointment. This will take place on the first day of your placement
You’ll also need to provide immunisation records to show that:
- you’ve had vaccinations and boosters for Hepatitis B, MMR (combined measles, mumps and rubella) and Covid-19
- you do not have Tuberculosis (TB) (you will be expected to show that you’ve had Quantiferon blood test and/or chest x-ray)
- you have immunity from Varicella Zoster virus (VZV) – Chickenpox
When you start and finish
When you start
On your start date, you'll:
- meet the Electives Administrator
- go through your arrival documentation
- arrange access to your department
- attend an Occupational Health appointment
You’ll then meet with your supervisor or one of their colleagues. You and your supervisors will plan your working hours and provide any additional information about your placement.
When you finish
At the end of your placement, you'll be asked to return your:
- keys
- student card
- NHS card
The Electives Administrator will give you two letters to confirm that you have completed your Cambridge Elective Placement. These will have the official stamp of the School of Clinical Medicine.
We cannot sign, stamp or provide any other documentation, so please check with your university that this will be sufficient before applying.