Elective Experiences (Elective Module)
During your fifth year you are given the exciting opportunity to explore a topic of professional interest to you in-depth, through an elective experience.
The topic/focus should relate to healthcare; and inform your future development as a doctor. It can be in any setting where you can justify the value to you/others, and can be conducted as a home-based project, locally, in the wider UK or internationally.
Some students do choose to undertake the elective abroad, coupling the chance to explore a topic of professional interest with the chance to experience a healthcare system and community in a different cultural context. Other excellent projects are conducted closer to home. In all cases novel and outstanding electives can lead to publication and career development opportunities.
The preparatory teaching and handbook will guide you step by step though this unique opportunity to identify, direct and embrace your own learning.
The important thing is you investing time in something that is of real interest to you, impactful, and inspiring. Returning students often report life – and career – changing insights and experiences.
Elective Module Lead contact c.m.wiskin@bham.ac.uk
Frequently asked questions
What is an elective?
What is an elective?
An elective placement is an important part of the MBChB course (worth 10 credits) that takes place in the spring of year five. Your elective is about agency; you will devise, organise and undertake a placement, project or experience of your own choosing. Preparation is by submission of a project protocol, and a careful risk assessment. Successful completion of an elective project and diligence on given planning stages are graduation requirements.
There are some criteria that you will need to fulfil to demonstrate that you have got the best from, and learned from, this experience. Method or approach will vary by the setting/topic choice, and the personal and professional aims you set. Types include placements, observation experiences, shadowing, research (where ethical approvals can be met) and literature review methodologies.
Where can I take my elective?
Where can I take my elective?
You may undertake your elective study in the UK or overseas. It can be in a clinical (primary or secondary care) setting, other healthcare setting or a laboratory setting. The scope is very broad, including (but not exclusive to) primary/secondary care (clinical electives), other MDT/specialty-led activities, third sector, education, leadership, laboratories…
Students often choose to undertake the elective abroad. However, it is equally acceptable to undertake an elective in the UK, indeed some projects are better undertaken here, or students may prefer to stay in the UK for career development, financial or other valid reasons.
How is my elective funded?
How is my elective funded?
Many electives need self-funding, so please be careful not to plan for something that will cause you financial worry or hardship. The module can usually advertise a limited number of (donated eg) bursaries for elective travel and living costs – but as you might expect these are extremely competitive. We also advertise known opportunities externally as we learn about them, and we encourage students to apply to the numerous of external funding sources available.
For students receiving the NHS England bursary, there are additional funds that can be accessed for placements, including contributions towards accommodation and some other costs. You will be given more information about this as the time approaches. We advertise instructions for Turing Fund support for international experiences each February – amounts awarded to UoB and location allocations vary annually, but we have had some successes, and there is WP focus.
How long is an elective?
How long is an elective?
The elective is a six-week period of which a minimum of four weeks should be spent in learning activity, in a single setting (unless pre-agreed differently). Students travelling must factor in core attendance needs before and after the elective, to avoid missing anything core.
What hours will I work?
What hours will I work?
The actual hours of engagement are agreed between the student and any placement provider. For all projects, including home based-work, we expect endeavour reflective of 4 weeks of effort, but how that plays out is highly context specific.