Undergraduates

The PGME Undergraduate Team organise various types of placements for medical students, more detailed information can be found here.

SSC

We currently accept students undertaking an SSC placement. We work closely with QMUL/Barts and UCL Universities. Should your SSC request not be from one of these universities additional information will be required.

Elective

We are open to local, national and international placements and welcome applications. We do have strict timeframes to adhere to please refer to "Our Applications Process" for further information

We do not organise placements for:

Work Experience - Those aged 16 -19 years of age, please contact young.visitors@gosh.nhs.uk

Honorary Contracts - All doctors wishing to obtain an honorary contract with the Trust please contact HR.Servicedesk@gosh.nhs.uk

Job Vacancies - All those wishing to obtain employment at the trust please contact vacancy@gosh.nhs.uk

Applications for spring vacancy is closed. We will reopen the applications process in the New Year.

UK and European based medical students will be processed by PGME at GOSH. If you do not hold a British Passport you will be required to provide a Residence Permit.

Applicants from outside the EU/EEA will require a Short-Term Study Visa to undertake an undergraduate medical elective. 

Please note, all completed application forms and supporting documents must be submitted to GOSH, a minimum of 4 months before the anticipated start date of your placement. Incomplete applications and those that do not meet the specified time frame will not be considered. 

In the first instance, students should take advice about visa requirements from the British Embassy/British Consulate in their home country 

UK Visa and Immigration

Our medical student supervisors work with each student to tailor their visit to their requirements. The aim of most student placements is to learn about clinical paediatrics, but opportunities may arise to perform audits and get involved in the research.

Throughout your time at GOSH you will be supervised by a responsible clinician or consultant to make sure you do not engage in any activity beyond your level of competence.

Examples of tasks Medical Students may preform:

* take a history from children and their parents

* examine children

* access written and computerised patient records

* observe procedures

* attend investigations

* present patients on the ward round and/or clinical meetings and discuss patient details with other members of the team

* review additional patient information for audit, research or other official projects

You must, therefore:

Respect patient consent and confidentiality at all times. In particular, you should be careful not to have clinical-related discussions outside designated medical areas.

Be aware of, and adhere to, GOSH policies, particularly regarding child protection and child safety within the hospital and their specialty areas. You should make your supervisor aware of any issues as a matter of urgency.

Inform the team immediately of new health or probity issues that may affect your dealings with children, parents or other team members.

GOSH Summer School
Are you a Medical Student, Newly Qualified Doctor or ANP, Physicians Associate and considering a career in paediatrics?
An exciting and interactive event, offering a detailed look into a career in Paediatrics.

GOSH Paediatric Bioethics & Law Masterclass 
This interesting, informative and perhaps challenging day for Medical Students and Foundation Doctors will enable you to spend a day learning about ethical and legal issues in the treatment of children. 

Further information on how to book for these courses please visit our courses page

We schedule regular facilitated teaching for students once a week including:

Student simulation sessions – these sessions provide an immersive experience of multi-professional working in our clinical simulation centre. Using manikins and simulated patients you can learn how to manage some common paediatric emergencies.

Group teaching - these short seminar-style sessions are facilitated by staff from across the Trust.

Peer-learning presentations – presentation of a case or topic of interest to fellow students. During your placement, you will also have the opportunity to also attend regular ward or departmental teaching relevant to your placement

What is the application process?

The student will need to submit an application following the links above. Once an application has been submitted, we will find you a placement based on your preferred departments. Should a department agree to accommodate a student, we issue a conditional offer letter which contains a list of documents the student must complete and attach. Once all the documents have been submitted, we issue the acceptance letter.

Which documents are required?

Once placement is confirmed further paperwork and clearances are required. We expect the following checks to be completed within four weeks of receiving the conditional offer.

UK students are required to attach an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS) dated within the last three years.

International students require an Oversees police check or a letter of good standing. This must be in English or translated into English by an official notary.

Occupational Health (OH) status check.

Honorary Training Booklet. This must be read, signed and returned along with the other required information.

Two valid forms of ID and one valid form of address (or vice versa).

Two letter headered references.

What is a valid form of ID and address?

Bank statements or utility bills dated within the last three months are valid forms of address. Passports, driving licence, identity card, residential permit are valid forms of ID.

What should my reference contain?

A reference needs to include the student's full name and mention the student's personal character, clinical competency and academical qualities. References must be on letter headered paper. In the event your referee is no longer able to provide a reference, you may change your referee.

How do I obtain an enhanced DBS?

Contact your university and they will be able to apply for an enhanced DBS on your behalf. If your DBS is outdated, you may apply for a new enhanced DBS through your university. Alternatively, we accept letters from universities which contain the students name, DBS date of issue and whether annual DBS checks have taken place.

Is accommodation available during my placement?

Unfortunately, we do not offer hospital accommodation to medical students. There are hotels and Airbnb's in the local area.

How long can my placement last?

Generally, departments only permit placements to last two to six weeks. If you require a longer placement, it may be possible for you to complete two separate four week placements (continuously) in different departments but this would be subject to availability.

Is my placement guaranteed?

Placements are subject to availability and completing all the required checks prior to the deadline.

Is there a placement fee?

Placement fee is £125 per week of placement and an additional £150 for admin fee. Please note, payment will be taken towards the end of the application process and the placement fee is refundable up to twelve weeks before the start of your placement.

Fee reductions will only take place in extreme cases

Is there a deadline for when I should submit my application?

We require all applications to be submitted at least four months prior to the proposed start date. We also require all documents and clearances to be completed and attached within four weeks of receiving the conditional offer.

Do you hold adequate insurance to cover any liability incurred by a placement student as a result of his/her duties as an employee?

The Trust has Public Liability cover through the NHSLA Public Liability Scheme which will cover you while you are on Trust premises, on Trust business or working for the benefit of the Trust against accidental injury.

What is the dress code during my placement?

You are required to remain professional; we therefore ask you to dress professionally/smart for your placement. Should you be completing a placement where scrubs are required, we recommend that you bring your own scrubs that are bare below the elbow. Scrubs are provided in most departments but are not always available.

Will I receive a certificate at the end of my placement?

Once you complete your elective experience, please feedback on your placement through the survey below.

Medical Student Feedback Form

Thereafter, you may contact student.observer.placements@gosh.nhs.uk to be issued a certificate.

Paediatric Undergraduate Learning and Skills Enhancement (PULSE)

In early 2024, GOSH launched an exciting new scheme for resident doctors passionate about medical education. The PULSE programme is now accredited by the Academy of Medical Educators, and aims to provide teaching excellence to undergraduate medical students at GOSH. PULSE members regularly teach medical students at the trust during peer-reviewed sessions, and are encouraged to reflect on their teaching style.

During their time in PULSE, members are invited to attend the Doctor 2 Educator course. This is a one-day course focusing on clinical teaching skills including small group teaching, bedside teaching, and clinical reasoning skills.

The PULSE programme provides a community of educators, with regular meetings, a newsletter and Whatsapp group.

PULSE membership applications open twice a year, in September and March, for resident doctors working at GOSH. Members must be part of the programme for at least 6 months, and contribute to undergraduate education at the trust in order to gain a certificate.