Program Overview

Inbound Medical Elective Program

The Inbound Medical Elective Program at the University of Sydney offers students the opportunity to undertake an elective placement and enhance their clinical skills. This program is designed for international and Australian medical students in their final or penultimate years of study.

Program Overview

The program provides hands-on clinical experience, broadens specialized knowledge, and develops clinical and patient care skills with leading expert medical educators. Elective placements are available at one of the six clinical schools across Sydney.

Eligibility to Apply

To be eligible to apply for an inbound elective placement, students must satisfy the minimum criteria outlined below:

1. Be an international or Australian medical student in their final or penultimate year of study.
2. Be currently in academic good standing and have the support of their current Dean of Medicine (or Course Coordinator or equivalent).
3. Have undertaken 12 months of clinical experience prior to the start of their elective placement.
4. Be proficient in both written and spoken English.
5. Be able to meet all NSW Health compliance requirements (vaccination, police check, and insurance requirements).

Application Timelines

The University of Sydney offers elective placements for inbound elective applicants from 1 March – 30 November. Each Clinical School will indicate the department, start date, and duration of placements available within the online application form during the nominated application period.

• The University of Sydney has reached its capacity for 2025 and 2026 and will not be accepting further applications for these years.
• Elective placements will only be offered for a duration of 4 weeks or 8 weeks. All other requests are assessed on a case-by-case basis by the relevant Clinical School.

Available Placements

The University of Sydney currently offers elective placements at the following locations: | Clinical Schools | Affiliated Teaching Hospitals | | --- | --- | | Central Clinical School | Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse Hospital, Sydney Eye Hospital | | Concord Clinical School | Concord Repatriation Hospital | | Westmead Clinical School | Westmead Hospital | | Childrens’ Hospital Westmead Clinical School | Childrens Hospital, Westmead | | Nepean Clinical School | Nepean Hospital | | Northern Clinical School | Royal North Shore Hospital, Ryde Hospital, Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital |

Application Details

How to Apply

1. Prepare elective application supporting documentation, including the Application for Elective Placement – Academic Verification form and the AUD$300 Application fee receipt.
2. Complete the online application form, which displays the placements available at each Clinical School.
3. The University of Sydney Elective Team will process the application, and a response will be received within 2 weeks.
4. If successful, a Conditional Offer Letter will be issued, outlining the department and duration of the placement.
5. Payment of the elective fee is required within two weeks of receiving the placement offer letter to confirm acceptance.

Fees

• Non-refundable Application fee: $300
• Elective fee (4 weeks): $900
• Elective fee (5 - 8 weeks): $1,500
• Elective fee (more than 8 weeks): $1,500 + $500 per week for each additional week after the 8-week period

NSW Health Student Compliance

To undertake a placement in a hospital within Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), Australia, all students must be verified by NSW Health. The University of Sydney is bound by the policies of NSW Health, and students must complete the mandatory requirements as outlined.

Travel and Accommodation

Applicants are responsible for their own travel, accommodation, living expenses, health, and travel insurance. The University of Sydney maintains an extensive database of accommodation options in various areas, primarily close to the University or within easy access to public transport.

Clinical Schools Offering Accommodation

• Nepean Clinical School: Accommodation units are located at 29-33 Rodgers Street, Kingswood, a 5-minute walk from the hospital.
• Westmead Clinical School and Childrens Hospital, Westmead Clinical School: Accommodation facilities are located within the Adult (Westmead Hospital) or the wider Westmead area.