The Faculty of Medical Sciences at the Mona Campus of the University of the West Indies in Jamaica offers
ELECTIVE CLERKSHIPS to students attending Medical Schools in other countries in the following disciplines:

General Medicine | General Surgery | Obstetrics/Gynaecology | Sports Medicine
Orthopaedics | Tropical Medicine | Pathology | Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Microbiology | Anaesthetics & Intensive Care | Dermatology | Radiology | Psychiatry|
Hematology | MRC/Sickle Cell | Child Health | Community Health |

The clerkships are conducted at the University Hospital of the West Indies, Kingston, as well as at other
accredited teaching hospitals throughout the island. Students, who are interested in pursuing medical
electives in Jamaica, must be fluent in English as all instructions and discussions will be in ENGLISH.
Applicants are advised to state alternative choices as well as time for clerkships, so that they can be given
an alternative in the event of the demand exceeding available allocations.

Travel and Accommodation

Students are responsible for expenses which they incur in traveling to and from Jamaica, as well as for
lodging and internal transportation within Jamaica. Accommodation on Campus for elective students is
available only during July and August, but there are a number of private lodgings available, that accept
elective students.

All International medical students must possess a valid Passport. In addition, nationals of certain countries
must possess a valid visa for entry into Jamaica. Applicants are advised to verify in advance that they have
all the necessary travel documents by contacting the nearest Jamaican High Commission or Consulate.

Information Regarding Training Received

Since the curriculum and teaching methods in some medical schools differ, some elective students may
encounter difficulties in following the essentially clinical clerkships offered here. In order to ensure that
students gain maximum benefit from the clerkships offered, all applicants are required to indicate the type
and level of training which they have received, when applying. This will enable us to arrange appropriate l
earning experiences.

Certificate and Approval of Elective by Applicant’s Medical School

Since an elective clerkship is a courtesy extended to a student from another medical school, all elective clerkships MUST be conducted with the knowledge and approval of the schools involved.

All other medical students who are interested in attending an elective clerkship in Jamaica must also make a formal application for such to the International Students Office at the Mona Campus of the University of the West Indies. This application has to be certified and approved by the applicant’s medical school, and is to be forwarded well in advance of the proposed date of commencement of the clerkship.

Elective students will be attached to a ‘firm’ that includes students studying at the University of the West Indies; but are not required to carry out night nor weekend duty.

Application Fees

A fee of US$30.00 is payable before the application is processed. Upon acceptance, a fee of US$250.00 per week for the duration is payable in order to participate. Payment procedure is included in your acceptance package. While we are unable to guarantee that every applicant will be able to secure the clerkship requested during the period requested, every effort will be made to process all applications.

Equipment

Visiting students should bring their own stethoscope, penlights and diagnostic set(s).

Dress

Visiting students on a clinical elective need to be attired similarly as our students, that is, females should be in dress, skirts or slacks with white coat or bush jacket; males should wear white short-sleeve shirt, white coat or bush jacket, dark trousers, and proper shoes and socks. 

Handbook for visiting students 

Download and complete both application forms below:

Application Form 1

Application Form 2

Visit the International Students Office for additional details.

Local Elective Students

Students enrolled in the MBBS programme are allowed to do electives in any specialty of their choice at a teaching hospital of their choice locally or internationally which must be approved by the Elective Coordinator. The programme mandates that students complete three (3) weeks in Year Four of the programme and five (5) weeks in Year Five (final year). 

4th year Elective Registration Form 

5th year Elective Registration Form