Overseas

Elective Term MFAC3514

Elective Term MFAC3514

Open to UNSW enrolled students

Note: Electives for non-UNSW students and overseas visiting students, please go to the Clerkships webpage
 


About MFAC3514 Elective

Student Contacts

About MFAC3514 Elective
 

Enrolment Appointment

 

Enrolment and Class-registration

 

Learning Plan

 


News & Updates


Objectives of the Elective Term

The objectives of the Elective course will depend on your choice but should include one of the following:

  • To develop your knowledge and skills in a selected area of Medicine;
  • To acquire experience in a selected area of Medicine in consideration of a future career choice;
  • To experience a different type of health care delivery from that practised in Australia or overseas;
  • To correct deficiencies in your knowledge and skills in a selected area of Medicine;
  • To gain further experience in an area of research.

 


About your placement

  • It is an 8-week course which may be completed as a single 8-week attachment or two 4-week attachments. Therefore, the minimum duration of a placement is 4 weeks.
  • A 2 week placement isn’t long enough to provide an adequate learning experience and it is difficult to get a 6 week placement as you are only allowed to do a maximum of 2 placements.
  • Students must be adequately supervised by a qualified doctor or a qualified researcher if a research placement.
  • an Advanced Trainee is not an appropriate supervisor.

  • Please also refer to the MFAC3514 Elective Course Outline found on the Phase 3 Moodle and Elective course section on the Phase 3 Guide.
  • Placements can be within Australia or Overseas (*see the Overseas tab for DFAT restrictions)
  • NOT INCLUDED. the following is not appropriate
    • Observerships - An observership is an educational experience where you shadow a member of the medical staff or workforce to learn more about the field. This experience allows you to observe the daily activities and responsibilities of healthcare professionals without directly participating in patient care
    • Traditional Chinese Medicine 

 

 

Registering your placement

Students are required register thier placement for pre-approval BEFORE you starting placement. Failure to do so may result in not being able to use your experience towards your Elective Term MCAF3214. 

How to register your placement on InPlace.

 

Dates

Important Dates and Deadlines

Students Click Here

Commence Elective placement after the Biomedical Sciences Viva session i.e. mid Nov

Complete Elective Placement in time to start Term 1 in Year 6. Click here for the UG Medicine Academic Calendar.

Please note: There is approximately 15 weeks in between the 2 dates and students are required to complete 8 weeks.
 

FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions

Click here

Risks & Insurance

Proof / Evidence of Student Medical Indemnity and Personal Accident Insurance

Click here

Proof of Indemnity

Click here

 

Expiry of Certificates of Currency

Click here

 

Request Proof

Click here

 

Exceptions: Some universities/host partners want current proof of indemnity e.g. King's College London, please use the free indemnity from MIPS https://www.mips.com.au/  or purchase your own (you will not be reimbursed by UNSW for purchased indemnity).

 

What UNSW Insurance covers:

Click here

Travel Insurance

Click here

Changes to Student Leisure Travel (01/02/2025)
From 1st Feb 2025 insurance will no longer provide ‘leisure’ coverage.Travel insurance regarding student leisure cover 7 days before and after the approved business activity i.e. placements. Students who wish to add a holiday to their business activity need to get their own insurance. High risk activities are not covered at all. High risk activities can include but not limited to hiking, scuba diving, hang gliding, horseback riding, bungee jumping, parasailing, and off-roading.

Business travel is unchanged with all authorised study and approved university engagements.

Students who depart before 01/02/2025 will continue to have leisure insurance coverage, as per existing arrangements i.e.  leisure travel is covered with the following key conditions: limited to a maximum of 4 months, cannot exceed 50% of total travel (including business) and limited to medical costs / emergency evacuations only

 

 

Important Considerations about Electives Undertaken Overseas

The safety of UNSW students is of paramount concern to the Faculty. Therefore, the Faculty may not approve some electives.

In general, the University acts on advice issued by The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). Whilst electives are organised well in advance, it is essential for students to check the DFAT website on a regular basis for travel warnings before leaving Australia. Conditions in some countries are in a volatile state and sometimes even the most serene location can become unstable in a short time. In addition to generic concerns, there are some areas where it may not be safe for women to travel alone.

The faculty will not approve electives in countries which are declared by DFAT as “Do not travel” or “Reconsider your need to travel”.

Insurance Claims

Click here

Opportunities

Opportunities

Tips on finding a placement: 

Click here

 

UNSW Teaching Hospitals

Click Here

 

Tips on applying for a placement

Click here

 

Registering a placement on InPlace

Click here

Host Forms to be signed by UNSW

Click Here

 

Police Checks

 

Contacting your relevant UNSW office before applying to the host organisation/institution

 

Referee Name / Verifier/home school verification form 

Letter of Recommendation

Letter of Good Standing and Letter of Recommendation

This is a true likeness letter

Letter certifying the completion of infection control training in the use of PPE, which includes mask fitting, gowning, gloving and hand washing techniques.

 

Host/Partner Documents

Click Here

Basic Life Support Certificate (BLSC) / Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS)

(PPE) Personal Protective Equipment Certificate/Proof

Official Transcript / Academic Statement / Academic Record 

Referee / Reference / University Contact

Original or certified copies

 

NUS (National University of Singapore), YLL School of Medicine

Click Here

 

GP Placements in Australia

Primary Care/General Practice (GP) in Australia

Click here

 

NSW Public Hospitals and ClinConnect (NSW Health Government)

Instructions

 

Scholarships, Grants, Loans

Click here

 

Opportunities (Placements)

Australia

 

Overseas

 

 

Assessment

Assessment

More Information

 


You are required to pass the Elective course.

There are two requirements to pass the Elective course:

1. Supervisor’s Report(s) / Feedback.

Your supervisor for each placement will be expected to provide feedback on the following

  • Attendance
  • Attitude
  • General competence

 

2. Final Report

A reflective peice written by the student.

 

Checklist

Elective Term Checklist

Use the step-by-step checklist below as a guide to organising and completing your Elective Term.

The Elective Term application process is managed through eMed.



 

Overseas Placements

 

TB (Tuberculosis) Requirements for NSW Health

 

Important to consider

 

Register on InPlace

 

 

Process

Steps to Follow - Click Here

 

 

Emergency While Overseas or In Australia

Use the Global 24 International SOS app as directed on the email from UNSW Student Travel Approval studenttravelapproval@unsw.edu.au

Phone International SOS for assistance on +61293722468 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

International SOS is a travel advisory service with 24-hour international support for cases of emergencies, medical care, security and evacuation support for staff, students and authorised members on approved UNSW travel (including placements for MFAC3514 Elective Term.

  1. Download the INTERNATIONAL SOS ASSISTANCE APP on your phone via the Apple Store or Google Play
  2. Sign up using your zID email (zXXXXXXX@ad.unsw.edu.au) via Single Sign-On (SSO).
  3. Create a new account.
  4. ISOS will provide you with instructions on an overview on the functionality of the app.
  5. Once you have booked your flights you can provide your itinerary, in the 'my trip' section in the App or as per the instructions provided by ISOS.
  6. Enable location sharing in the app settings.
     
  7. You can call Global 24 International SOS for assistance on (+61 2 9372 2468) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They may be able to provide help in returning to Australia. 

On-Campus Emergency Support Team: +61 (02) 9385 6666

  • For confidential support call:  · UNSW Mental Health Support: 9385 5418 (24/7) or text 0485 826 595  · 
  • If you are outside Australia call: Medibank’s 24/7 Health and Support Line: +61 (2) 8905 0307  
  • Medical Emergency or suicide attempt - Call 000 or go to your nearest public hospital emergency room.  · 
  • On-Campus Emergency Support Team: +61 (02) 9385 6666
  • If you or someone you know is thinking of taking their own life, call the Suicide call back line (24/7): 1300 659 467 or use the chat function online.  

Australian Embassies and Consulates in the countries you are visiting

eMed

E-Med Electives Tab

Students undertaking placements prior to April 2025

eMed - Electives Tab

As of April 2025, eMed Electives Tab has been replaced by InPlace

Remember: You need to register your placement and be pre-approval BEFORE you go out on a placement. Failure to do so may result in not being able to use your experience towards your Elective Term MCAF3214. 

Students undertaking placements After 2025

When to register your placement on InPlace

How to register your placement on InPlace

Pre-Approval of placements can take up to 2 weeks for straight forward placements (e.g. in a GP, hospital, medical centre, specialists offices etc) or longer for out of the box placements (e.g. placements located on a helicopter, boat etc).

 

How to withdraw a placement on InPlace

 

Status on InPlace

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