Visiting Students' Elective Programme at Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry

After huge number of applicants over the last week for the Barts and The London Visiting Student's Elective Programme all departments have reached their maximum quota of visiting students. The programme is closed as of today and we are no longer accepting applications. If you wish to apply for January 2013 and onward, please consider applying when the programme re-opens for applications around July time.

Am I eligible for an elective attachment? 

You are eligible for an elective attachment at Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry if you:

  1. are studying in one of the medical schools listed on the Avicenna/WHO database and are in your final year of medical school at the time of your elective attachment
  2. are in good standing at your medical school and are able to provide a letter of recommendation from your Dean of Clinical Studies
  3. can meet the necessary occupational health requirements
  4. if you are a national of a country outside the EEA or Switzerland you will need a UKBA Tier 4 student visa in order for you to comply with the conditions of entry. 

Applying for UK immigration permission

Please see Applying for UK immigration permission for your studies at Queen Mary [PDF] for more details, or visit the UK Border Agency.

More information on Tier 4 permission is available in:

 Applying for Tier 4 (General) Student immigration permission [PDF]

Please also be aware that Secure English language tests are to be introduced for Tier 4 students. For more information see
UK Border Agency: Secure English language tests 

IMPORTANT: If you do not reside in a majority English speaking country and are coming from outside the EEA or Switzerland you will need to be able to supply results from an English Language test (see above link for more information). Without this information we will be unable to issue you with a CAS number which you will need to apply for a Tier 4 visa.

Contact for immigration queries

Immigration enquiry bureau
0870 606 7766
UK Border Agency, Lunar House, 40 Wellesley Road, Croydon, Surrey CR9 2BY

What happens after I apply? 

Once you have applied:

  • If a consultant of the School agrees to accept you an official email will be sent within eight weeks confirming the elective placement.  You must confirm your acceptance of the placement within four weeks of our offer.
  • The acceptance email will also include an occupational health questionnaire which will need to be completed and returned to us at least one month prior to the start of your elective.
  • The School of Medicine and Dentistry will require you to provide in advance, proof of your immunity to TB, Rubella and Hepatitis B. If the elective attachment involves participation in invasive surgical procedures only a blood result from a UK laboratory will be accepted.
  • The School reserves the right to withdraw its offer to you depending on medical advice.

How do I pay the electives administration fee? 

The electives administration fee is £100 and must be paid online. We cannot accept cheques or bank transfers.

What is it like to take a visiting student elective at Barts and The London?

Louise Killen, a visiting student from The University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, describes her experience taking a gastroenterology elective.

Where do I find out more about Barts and The London NHS Trust?