Visiting Student Electives

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Visiting Student Electives

Important Information for all Students

All applications for clinical elective attachments are processed through the MBChB office. Students should not therefore apply directly to any departments, but should correspond directly with the Clinical Elective Secretaries in Aberdeen or Inverness .

Students from the University of Illinois should click here for more information.

  • Attachments for both Aberdeen and Inverness can be arranged for a minimum of 4 weeks and a maximum of 8 weeks only. Please note that requests for longer or shorter attachments will not be considered. Dates are fixed and non-negotiable.
  • There is no formal teaching programme. Students will join in all clinical activities and participate in teaching rounds, case conferences, etc., that are held regularly in the various units/specialties.
  • Places are limited and are offered on a first-come-first-served basis.
  • Students from outside the UK will be required by UK Visas and Immigration to obtain an appropriate visa as indicated at UKVI Website
Aberdeen

Time Period for Electives: Electives are only available during July and August. Electives out with these months will not be considered please do not request.

How to Apply: Applications for 2025 are now closed. Further information on the 2026 application process will be made available from September 2025. Elective placements are only between July and August for a minimum of 4 weeks and a maximum of 8 weeks. Requests out with these time periods will not be considered.

Cost: An administration fee of £250 will be payable on acceptance of an elective placement for students from international universities and a £59 Disclosure Scotland PVG Check. There is no fee for students studying at a UK medical school.

Inverness

Time Period for Electives: Applications can be made anytime.
How to Apply: Apply Online

University of Illinois Exchange Students

Initial Application

All applications for clinical electives are processed through the MBChB Office, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition. Students should not apply directly to any departments. In the first instance and to register your interest, please contact the University of Illinois at Rockford Liaison Officer, Dr Michael Glasser and then liaise directly with Dorothy Corriveau , University of Aberdeen Clinical Tutor. If you are not a University of Illinois at Rockford student, please click here .

Attachments can be arranged for a MINIMUM of 2 WEEKS and a MAXIMUM of 8 WEEKS. Requests for longer or shorter attachments will not be considered. The period for electives for a University of Illinois medical student is September and October as University of Aberdeen medical students have priority during term times.

Clinical attachments may be available in the following departments/specialties (City or Rural and Remote):

Accident & Emergency

Mental Health

Anaesthetics

Neurosciences (Neurology or Neurosurgery)

Cardiology

Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Diabetes and Endocrinology

Oncology

Forensic Medicine

Orthopaedic Surgery

Gastroenterology

Paediatrics

General Practice

Plastic Surgery

Haematology

Radiology

Infectious Diseases

Renal Medicine

Medicine - General

Rheumatology

Medicine for the Elderly

Surgery - General

There is no formal teaching programme. Students will join in all the clinical activities and participate in teaching rounds, case conferences, etc. that are held regularly in the various units/specialties.

You should note that at the end of your placement, the University of Aberdeen will not be able to stamp or verify the content of the placement due to the changeability of the clinical environment. However, you can have the person, whose supervision you are under fill out an assessment on how you performed.

How to Apply:

After you have discussed your interest in completing a clinical elective at the University of Aberdeen with Dr Glasser, please contact Dorothy Corriveau directly, who will send you an application pack. If you are not a University of Illinois at Rockford student, please click here .