A guide to undertaking a Radiology elective or student selected component (SSC)
What is an elective?
An elective is a block of 6-10 weeks when medical students are able to undertake a placement of their choice, either in the UK or abroad. This typically occurs in the final year of medical school but may also occur in the penultimate year.
Most students choose to do a hospital-based elective as it allows them to either explore a specialty of interest or to reinforce their learning. Others may organise an elective centred around medicolegal work, journalism or research. Electives are the perfect opportunity to experience how medicine is practised abroad, while enjoying the sights and culture that the country has to offer.
Similarly, student selected components (SSC) or modules (SSM) are opportunities to explore a scientific or clinical aspect of medicine throughout medical school but are usually done locally and over a shorter period of time.
Why?
- Explore Radiology as a career – is it suited to me or not?
- Gain insight into being a radiologist – life as a trainee and consultant
- Revise imaging anatomy and improve on common imaging interpretation – useful for life as a doctor
- Learn about the ins and outs of a Radiology department – when and how to refer to Radiology as a junior doctor
- Demonstrate interest in Radiology
- Opportunities to network
- Potential research opportunities
How?
- Take on electives/SSC that your medical school has on offer
- Join your medical school Radiology society for contacts and/or opportunities
- Get in touch with your local Radiology department – plenty of enthusiastic and friendly consultants out there!
- Be inspired by previous elective/SSC experiences
- Speak to peers or seniors from your medical school to find out tips on organising one
Helpful tips
- Plan early!
- Take note of deadlines for local (UK) and international applications to medical schools or hospital trusts
- Get familiar with the process – e.g. What is required of your medical school? What visa, vaccinations and medical indemnity do I need?
- Make a realistic budget
- Avoid paying for anything until the necessary approval is granted from your medical school
- Think about what you want from the elective/SSC to get the most out of it
- If you are interested in gaining some research experience, take the initiative and express your interest to your supervisor ahead of time
Be inspired
- The Electives Network (TEN)
https://www.electives.net
TEN is an excellent resource for planning your elective as it provides a list of elective opportunities to be inspired from and has a hospital database with deadlines and application information for hospitals worldwide. You can do an advanced search for ‘Radiology’ electives.
*A subscription is required but access is free for MDU members – MDU membership is free for UK medical students* - Work the World
https://www.worktheworld.co.uk/medical-electives
Work the World offers elective opportunities in Africa, Asian and Latin-America. Their established infrastructure gives students the flexibility and choice of hospital placement, supervision, choice of departments, and detailed information is provided on all the above. Reviews from previous electives are also available. - RAD-AID
https://www.rad-aid.org/programs/medical-students
RAD-AID works in over 30 countries to improve and optimize access to medical imaging and radiology in low resource regions of the world for increasing radiology’s contribution to global public health initiatives and patient care. RAD-AID offers a global health training certificate for medical students and volunteer opportunities on their projects worldwide. - Twitter
https://www.twitter.com
Social media is a great way to immerse yourself in the Radiology community for free education, keeping up with the latest research and networking with radiologists, but also to see how fulfilling and exciting a career in Radiology is. All of these may inspire you with ideas for an elective/SSC and how to get the most out of it!
Funding
- Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) Undergraduate Elective Bursaries
https://www.rcr.ac.uk/clinical-radiology/awards-and-prizes/undergraduate-elective-bursaries
RCR annually funds five bursaries of £300 each for undergraduate UK medical students wishing to undertake an elective period of study in clinical radiology in the UK or abroad.
Deadline: Opens in November; Closes in March - BMDST-RSM Student Elective Awards
https://www.rsm.ac.uk/prizes-and-awards/travel-grants-and-bursaries
The Royal Society of Medicine (UK) offers a grant of £500-£1,000 for UK & EU medical and dental students to undertake a specific project on a medical or dental elective.
Deadline: Twice a year (January & July) - Erasmus+
https://www.erasmusplus.org.uk
Erasmus+ is the European Union programme for education, training, youth and sport including providing access to funding for international opportunities for UK higher education institutions (HEIs). Students can study or undertake a traineeship abroad, to develop new skills, gain international experience and boost their employability.
Deadline: Every February - Others
https://www.medicalprotection.org/uk/articles/applying-for-elective-funding
Guide for elective funding by Medical Protection Society (UK)
