Undergraduate training programme (PGME)

An opportunity for UCL final year medical students to gain clinical and academic experience in adolescent mental health

We offer training opportunities to a maximum of two final year medical students from UCL Medical School as Student Selected Components (SSCs) programmes in adolescent mental health.

The students will have a month long programme of bespoke activities to ensure that they gain a broad clinical and academic experience either on placement at the Tavistock or at nearby South Camden CAMHS

There are also opportunities for medical students to participate in Balint groups.

Specialty trainees in the Trust are encouraged to be involved in teaching the SSCs as a valuable training experience.

About this course

Medical students with an interest in psychiatry and mental health from UK medical schools may organise – if availability permits – a maximum four week elective placement in the Trust.

The students enjoy a tailor-made schedule to enable them to attend activities mainly in the Child and Adolescent Department where students can join unit meetings, workshops and lectures shadow clinicians and have the opportunity to meet with senior clinical colleagues to discuss and analyse their experience.

There may be opportunities to gain experience in Adult Complex Needs and the Portman Clinic but this will be limited due to the nature of the work.

Please note that medical elective placements at the Tavistock are always oversubscribed.

The Postgraduate Medical Education Department (PGME) is overseen by the Medical Director and managed by the Director of Medical Education working collaboratively with the Training Programme Directors for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Medical and Forensic Psychotherapy, Educational Supervisors and Clinical Supervisors, the Core Trainee Lead and the Medical Education Manager. Contact Simone Silverstein, Medical Education Manager for any queries.

Who is this course for?

Final year medical students from any UK university with an interest in psychiatry and mental health.

Course details

Students need to complete the application form and return it to the Simone Silverstein, Medical Education Manager, with the relevant documentation requested on the form.

The clinical lead of the programme will determine whether or not we are able to find a placement that suits your proposed visiting dates and interests.

We can only confirm eligibility once we receive a letter signed by an authorised signatory at your home medical school. 

Medical students on self-organised electives will not be:

  • registered at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust
  • covered by the Trust insurance policies
  • granted access to confidential information

The total fee for a four week elective is £500.

We require a non-refundable deposit of £250 paid by bank transfer on acceptance of your elective to guarantee your place.

The remaining £250 should be paid by bank transfer four weeks prior to the start date of your elective placement.

Medical elective placements are only available to students during the summer term from the end of April to the end of June.

Apply now

Download and complete your application form.

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