Visiting Elective Programme - Frequently Asked Questions

 

How do I apply for an elective?

You are required to make arrangements with a local supervisor, submit an online application form, and provide the required documents.

Full detail of our programme can be found within our Visiting Medical Electives Policy which is available on our webpage here: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medicine/study/electives/

 

How much do Electives Cost?

Visiting elective students are required to pay a non-refundable administration fee. Please note: this fee is currently under review and will be updated when we reopen our programme later in 2026. The fee includes application processing, verification of documents, instigation of an online Occupational Health questionnaire, Occupational Health Clearance and registration.

 

Following completing of your Health Questionnaire our Occupational Health provider will review your fitness to practice and let you know if any follow-up appointments, tests, services, or vaccinations are required.   The list of possible fees is outlined in our Visiting Electives Policy document found on our Electives Webpage. If a follow-up is not required, you will be emailed a Fitness Certificate.

 

Other financial burdens you may wish to consider are accommodation costs (which you will be required to organise yourself), travel and cost of living. 

 

Where can I find supervisors contact details?

Full details can be found within our Visiting Medical Electives Policy. However, we are generally unable to provide specific email addresses for supervisors, but we do have a number of trusts who have a single point of contact for placements. These are listed in our policy. Alternatively, most departments within our NHS Trust Hospitals have a ‘Meet the Team’ page on their websites which lists consultants, their specialty and provides a telephone number for their secretary or department. We advise students to call their chosen department in the first instance, to ascertain if the department has availability. It also gives you an opportunity to introduce yourself and enquire about specific email addresses for supervisors.

 

How do I find accommodation?

Full details can be found within our Visiting Medical Electives Policy. While we do not provide set accommodation for electives, we have added some useful links into our policy for students who wish to stay in university accommodation, need advice on which websites to research private accommodation or want to apply for hospital accommodation within our Northumbria Trust or James Cook University Hospital. Please note our other hospitals do not include accommodation.

 

What is Medical Malpractice Insurance?

Medical malpractice insurance is designed for anyone working in the healthcare industry and associated caring professions. It provides public liability and professional indemnity cover to safeguard against claims of clinical negligence and medical malpractice.

 

While we cannot recommend a particular insurance company, many previous students have used this company; https://www.electivesonestopshop.co.uk and we have received positive feedback from those students. You may be able to obtain your Medical Malpractice Insurance through them however, you are free to choose another company also. Please note that unfortunately we cannot accept you for an elective if you are not covered by Medical Malpractice Insurance.

 

Can I obtain a DBS through Newcastle University?

We can only provide an Enhanced DBS to UK citizens. International students will need to obtain an enhanced criminal record check/letter of good standing from their local governing body.

 

UK students may be able to request an enhanced DBS through their home university but, if you would like to purchase this through Newcastle University, then please pay the required fee through our online webstore by following this link: https://webstore.ncl.ac.uk/product-catalogue/programme-resources/faculty-of-medical-sciences/school-of-medical-education

 

Once you have paid, please forward a copy of the receipt to medical.electives@ncl.ac.uk. You will then receive an email from First Advantage with instructions on how to complete the online application.

 

You are required to have your documentation verified but as you will be unable to do so in person, you can either ask your home university to do this or arrange a virtual meeting with a member of our elective team. If you ask your home university to do this, they just need to see you and original copies of the documents in-person, scan the documents and forward a copy to medical.electives@ncl.ac.uk confirming they have been seen/ verified.

 

Once the clearance has been completed, you will receive a hardcopy of the certificate in the post and our team will be able to check the status on our portal.

 

Do I need a VISA?

If you are an international student planning to come to the UK for a Medical Elective you must seek advice from your local VISA Application Centre on whether you are required to obtain a VISA and apply for immigration permission. Our team is unable to advice on VISA applications or this process, but we do have some useful weblinks available and further information within our Visiting Medical Electives Policy.

 

Can I apply for an Observership, Internship or Graduate Training Programme?

No. Unfortunately our team is unable to facilitate these types of placements. We only offer medical electives to Undergraduate medical students in their final or penultimate year of study.

However, if you contact the Hospitals HR or Careers team, they may be able to help. You will need to visit the NHS Trust website for contact details, as this is not something we are able to provide.

 

What are the English Language criteria for International Students?

Full details of what evidence and qualifications are required, can be found within our Visiting Medical Electives Policy. The policy also includes the list of countries exempt from requiring evidence of their proficiency. Please note that if your international degree is taught and examined in English, we will accept confirmation of this within your reference letter and/or academic transcript, as proof of your proficiency.

In addition to the information in our Policy, please visit our central university webpages here: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/international/language/#tests(visa) and here: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/international/language/#overview for more information.

 

Do you participate in the Erasmus or Erasmus+ Schemes?

No. We do not participate in the Erasmus or Erasmus+ schemes and as such, are unable to sign any documents, forms or agreements relating to the scheme. However, you are still very welcome to visit the university as an incoming elective student if you are happy to accept that any such documentation cannot be signed. 

 

Please note, if you are required to complete an elective of a certain duration in order to meet Erasmus requirements, please apply for a period of that duration. We will be unable to change the dates on the offer letter or end of placement certificate and will only be able to confirm the dates of your actual placement.

 

Can I access university sports and fitness facilities?

Yes. Students staying on or near the Newcastle University Campus who wish to access the university sports/fitness facilities, students can contact Sport@Newcastle.ac.uk before they wish to access the facilities, the team can ensure their account with is setup correctly. This will allow the student to either ‘pay as you go’ for court/hall activities or alternatively purchase one of our memberships to access wider facilities i.e. gym and fitness classes. (further information on classes and facilities can be found here: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/sport/membership/ )

 

Please note, the sports centre can tailor membership prices for those students who are only studying/visiting Newcastle for a short period of time.

 

What should I wear during my elective?

The dress code is referred to in our offer letter, which is sent to successful students, and we advise all students to always refer to the NHS Trust for specific guidance, which should be discussed during registration. Students should wear plain smart-casual attire with no obvious branding or slogans, and sensible footwear (no trainers or jeans).

If scrubs are required during the placement, these will be provided by the department as and when needed and must be returned. Students should not bring their own scrubs and should always follow the standard dress-code, only wearing scrubs when necessary.

 

What is the Right to Study Check?

All international students are required to complete a Right to Study check on arrival to comply with British entry requirements. We will ask you to submit a copy of your passport showing your vignette or entry stamp, BRP card and/or VISA to compliance@ncl.ac.uk by the end of the first week of your placement.

 

What vaccinations do I need?

Full requirements will be discussed during the health screening completed with our Occupational Health Provider, Latus Group but the following should be used as a guide. You will require evidence of:

2 x MMR Vaccination or immunity to measles and rubella

A course of Hep B vaccinations and a blood test to show immunity to Hep B

2 x varicella vaccinations or evidence of immunity to varicella

BCG vaccination

EPP Bloods – negative result to Hep B, Hep C and HIV

 

While the BCG vaccination is a requirement for the students as part of their course, but every student has the right to decline vaccinations.  However, if you would like to obtain this vaccination but it is not offered by your home medical school, we can provide it for a fee of approx. £46.58. If you also required the IGRA that would cost an additional £70.00.

 

These vaccinations are specific to medical students, but we would also suggest you check any vaccination requirements for entry into the UK in-line with a VISA if one is required.