Undergraduates
Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) is a specialist children's hospital providing state-of-the-art management and research in paediatric conditions.
With an emphasis on serious and rare disorders, the hospital is a great choice for students looking for a specialist paediatric experience in medicine, anaesthesia, radiology, and surgery. As we do not have a casualty department, GOSH may not be an appropriate choice if you wish to learn about general paediatrics. Some departments follow patients into adulthood, but the majority see children aged up to 18.
[It] was a really useful learning experience. - SSC Student 2016
Thank you so much for giving me the most wonderful elective I could hope for! I have met some wonderful staff & patients and learned so much. I would recommend it to any medical student. - Elective Student 2017
Role and responsibilities
Our medical student supervisors work with each student to tailor the visit to their requirements. The main aim of most student attachments 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 skills and tasks that medical students perform:
- 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.
Application process - Query
In order to apply for a medical student placement, please complete one of the application forms below:
Applications are also open for 2023, application forms are below:
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Upon receipt of your completed application, we will endeavour to secure a placement for you in your nominated specialty.
If a placement is agreed, you will be notified of the required next steps. This will include submitting a copy of your CV and two written references. Your references must be on headed paper and from university tutors or clinical consultants who know you well. We will also complete a number of pre-placement clearances (Occupational Health, Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly Criminal Records Bureau disclosure), Identity Documents) and mandatory training (Safeguarding Children training (e-learning)).
Registration and Visas
UK and European based medical students will be processed by PGME at GOSH. At present, a visa is not required for your placement.
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 6 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.
All queries regarding this process should be made to GOSH PGME - Student&Observerplacements@gosh.nhs.uk
Helpful Information:
- 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
Undergraduate courses and events
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 3-day 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 this course will be made available shortly.
Teaching
We schedule regular facilitated teaching for students once a week on Wednesday mornings 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.
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where can I find an application form?
- What is the application process?
- Which departments offer placements?
- How long can my placement last?
- Can I have multiple placements?
- Is my placement guaranteed?
- Is there a placement fee?
- Is there a deadline for when I should submit my application?
- The application form asks for a timetable, what should I enter in this section?
- Do I need an IELTS certificate or equivalent English Language qualification?
- How long does the application process take?
- What is the next stage of the process if my application is successful?
- How do I complete safeguarding children training?
- What happens if my application is unsuccessful?
- If I were to apply to multiple locations for my elective, is there a cost in declining acceptance at GOSH?
- The application form requires a supervising consultant at GOSH to sign it. Is this something that you organise?
- What can I do as part of the placement?
- Will students on elective have the opportunity to work in various fields within paediatrics and/or engage in medical research/education?
- Is Medical Student Teaching available?
- Will I receive a GOSH login and email?
- Will I receive a certificate at the end of my placement?
- Is accommodation available during my placement?
Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find an application form?
Please follow the link in the top right hand corner, under “Useful Documents” for an application form
What is the application process?
Complete the application form and attach your CV and two references (on headed paper) from university tutors or clinical consultants who know you well.
Which departments offer placements?
A list of departments can be found HERE
How long can my placement last?
Generally departments only permit placements to last 4-6 weeks. If you require a longer placement, it may be possible to for you to complete two 4 week placements in different departments subject to availability.
Can I have multiple placements?
Yes, subject to availability it is possible for you to take part in multiple placements.
Is my placement guaranteed?
No. Placements are subject to availability and completed pre placement checks.
Is there a placement fee?
There is a £150 Admin fee payable to Great Ormond Street Hospital. Medical students will pay a weekly tuition fee of £100. This is payable to PGME at least 4 weeks prior to your starting date. So for example a four week placement will total £550 (£150 admin fee and £100 per week)
International elective students from Low and Middle Income countries may apply for a reduction in the tuition fees.
Is there a deadline for when I should submit my application?
There isn’t a specific deadline, however you should submit your application as soon as possible as placements are limited and popular.
Please also submit your application in advance of your potential start date as much as possible.
The application form asks for a timetable, what should I enter in this section?
Just a brief paragraph or two of what you would like to observe, should your application be successful.
Do I need an IELTS certificate or equivalent English Language qualification?
No, we do not currently require an official English Language qualification.
How long does the application process take?
From receiving your completed application form to confirming an offer of placement, we aim to complete the process within sixteen weeks and we will update you on the progress of your application form.
What is the next stage of the process if my application is successful?
Once placement is confirmed further paperwork and clearances are required and these include;
- An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS), if this is dated older than three years we can accept a letter from your Medical School confirming this was completed prior to you starting your medical degree.
- If you are based outside of the United Kingdom please provide a copy of a local Police or Judiciary check. 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 and signed and returned along with the other required information.
- Three forms of ID will be required such as: passport, driving licence, bank statement as proof of address etc. when completing clearances.
How do I complete safeguarding children training?
Safeguarding is essential at Great Ormond Street we currently are asking medical students to complete Level 1 Safeguarding Children prior to start date. Child protection will not be used as a substitute for Safeguarding. This is part of the Honorary Training booklet.
What happens if my application is unsuccessful?
Due to the limited number of placements at Great Ormond Street Hospital, it is not always possible to accommodate all those who wish to attend. However, if your first choice dates are not possible we will ask for alternative dates or place you on a waiting list for future cancellations.
If I were to apply to multiple locations for my elective, is there a cost in declining acceptance at GOSH?
There is no cost to declining a placement at GOSH. However, if you have paid your fees and you withdraw please ensure you withdraw a minimum of four weeks prior to your start date to receive your refund.
The application form requires a supervising consultant at GOSH to sign it. Is this something that you organise?
There is no need to contact Supervisors prior to being accepted onto a placement. We will contact the departments on your behalf and confirm if you can be accommodated.
What can I do as part of the placement?
The purpose of permitting access to the Trust is to enable you to undertake your Medical Student placement. You will be permitted to take a history from children and their parents, conduct physical examinations, 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 and review additional patient information for audit, research or other official projects. This role does not permit you to participate in the clinical management or treatment of any patient including taking of specimens and any invasive or diagnostic procedures.
During the placement 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 or pose a risk to the child, parents or other team members.
Will students on elective have the opportunity to work in various fields within paediatrics and/or engage in medical research/education?
Students will have the opportunity to complete projects and audits as part of their placement.
Is Medical Student Teaching available?
Pre-Covid Medical Student teaching sessions occurred on a Wednesday morning. We are currently looking into virtual teaching sessions and more information will be made available when plans are finalised.
Will I receive a GOSH login and email?
Yes, you will receive access to the trust system and your own personal GOSH email.
Will I receive a certificate at the end of my placement?
Yes, you will receive a certificate of completion.
Is accommodation available during my placement?
Accommodation is available, however this is not guaranteed and is limited but the accommodation team will try to find you something suitable. Please follow the below link for additional information on how to apply;