Medical electives

We participate in a successful medical electives programme that will see you take exciting placements both in and outside of the region, with visiting electives joining us here at Leeds.  

Medical Electives Programme 

As an MBChB student, you will have the opportunity to take a six-week placement at the beginning of your final year studying with us. The placement can be carried out in the UK or abroad, with some students carrying out cutting-edge research in world-renowned institutions in the USA and others travelling to remote parts of the developing world.  

Past students have worked in health centres, charities, universities and hospitals in Australia, China, Italy, Nepal, Samoa, Tanzania, and Vanuatu. You can also study languages as part of the Students Without Borders programme which will help you become sufficiently fluent to work as a junior doctor in French or Spanish-speaking countries following graduation.  

You may also opt to stay in the UK to explore a speciality of medicine that you aspire to focus on as you further develop your career, whether it be in clinical research or revolutionary surgery. Whichever you choose the elective is likely to be one of the most enjoyable and memorable components of your study at the University of Leeds.  

Visiting Electives 

At present, we are only accepting applications for elective placements from our MoU (Memorandum of Understanding ) partnership universities in 2026, see list of MoU partnership universities below:

Unfortunately, we are not accepting elective applications from medical students outside of these institutions.   

As a visiting elective student at Leeds, you will be attached to a named consultant at one of the hospitals within the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. You will be based at either Leeds General Infirmary (LGI), St James's Hospital (SJH) or Chapel Allerton Hospital (CAH).  

During this period, you will be encouraged to observe and contribute to the clinical activities undertaken by your supervising consultant and their team. This will provide you with valuable experience of NHS England clinical practice and will develop your understanding of collaboration with other professionals working in primary and acute care contexts.  

The elective placement is an observer role only and no formal teaching or “hands-on” experience will be offered. Your supervisor will provide structured supervision and a varied schedule, exposing you to a wide range of clinical challenges and NHS treatment protocols.  

2025 - 2026 Timetable

Please note: 

• There is no charge levied on visiting electives and nor will students receive any payment for undertaking an electives placement. 
• Electives are only available to students in their penultimate year of study. 
• Electives are only available for one of the four-week blocks in the above table.  
• Electives are only available in one speciality and cannot be split across specialities over the four weeks. 
• Due to limited provision, we can only offer one elective placement per successful visiting applicant.   
• Successful International applicants require an International Criminality Check (ICC) and the University of Leeds will arrange these checks through a third party. ICC costs can range from £50 to in excess of £350, depending on the student’s place/s of residency over the past five years. This check may also be required for UK nationals studying outside the UK.  

Applying 

Students applying from Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) universities will be sent a link through their institution. Applications will open on Monday 27 October and must be completed by Friday 12 December.  

Please read the visiting electives policy and the online application process pages. Please send the required documents as requested on the form to electives@leeds.ac.uk.