Peradeniya Hospital

Locations

Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

Elective Options

Clinical

Usual Capacity

3-6 Spaces

Cost & Dates

$100 per week

$10 admin

Accomodation – additional

Subject Areas

Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care & Emergency Medicine
Community Medicine
Forensic Medicine
Haematology
Infectious Diseases & Tropical Medicine
General Medicine
Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Neonatology
Nephrology
Paediatrics
Psychiatry
Radiology
Respiratory Medicine

Edit Content

Fair Trade Electives offers medical elective placements at Teaching Hospital Peradeniya in partnership with the Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, one of Sri Lanka’s leading medical schools.

Located in the central highlands near the historic city of Kandy, the University of Peradeniya has a long tradition of medical education and is recognised nationally and internationally for its academic standards. The Teaching Hospital Peradeniya serves as a major tertiary care centre and clinical training site for the university’s medical students.

The hospital has approximately 1,000 beds and provides services across a wide range of specialties, offering visiting students the opportunity to observe clinical practice in a busy teaching hospital environment. Students joining this placement can expect exposure to ward rounds, clinics, teaching sessions, and clinical discussions alongside Sri Lankan medical students and clinical teams.

This elective provides an opportunity to gain insight into Sri Lanka’s healthcare system, including the relationship between hospital-based care and the country’s strong primary healthcare network. Students may encounter clinical presentations and health system approaches that differ from those typically seen in the UK and other high-income settings.

Placements are primarily observational, allowing students to develop a broader understanding of clinical decision-making, healthcare delivery in resource-constrained settings, and the cultural context of medical practice.

Edit Content

Elective placements at Teaching Hospital Peradeniya are primarily observational, providing students with exposure to clinical practice in a large tertiary care teaching hospital.

Students typically join ward rounds, outpatient clinics, and teaching sessions alongside Sri Lankan medical students and clinical teams. The exact format of the placement may vary depending on the department and the availability of supervisors.

Typical duration: 2–4 weeks
Schedule: Usually 4–5 days per week
Location: Teaching Hospital Peradeniya and the Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya
Dress code: Smart casual or surgical scrubs depending on the department

Students will be asked to discuss their learning objectives at the start of the placement and complete a short reflection at the end of the elective.

Edit Content

Students may be able to undertake elective placements in a range of clinical departments at Teaching Hospital Peradeniya depending on availability and departmental schedules.

Potential subject areas include:

Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care & Emergency Medicine
Community Medicine
Forensic Medicine
Full Body Dissection
Haematology
Infectious Diseases & Tropical Medicine
General Medicine
Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Neonatology
Nephrology
Paediatrics
Psychiatry
Radiology
Respiratory Medicine
Surgery

The final department is confirmed following discussion with the Faculty of Medicine at application stage.

Edit Content

Students completing an elective at Teaching Hospital Peradeniya can either arrange their own accommodation or use accommodation options suggested by the Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya.

Accommodation arranged through the Faculty is typically located close to the hospital or university campus and may include guesthouses or student accommodation used by visiting students.

Accommodation costs are charged separately from the host elective fee and vary depending on the type of accommodation and length of stay. Students choosing to arrange their own accommodation will find a range of options in Peradeniya and nearby Kandy, including guesthouses, apartments and short-term rentals. You can find out more about accomodation options here.

Edit Content

Peradeniya is located just outside the historic city of Kandy, in the central highlands of Sri Lanka. Kandy is one of the country’s most important cultural centres and is surrounded by lush hills, tea plantations and tropical forests.The University of Peradeniya campus is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful university settings in Asia with extensive gardens and green spaces along the Mahaweli River.

Students based in Peradeniya have easy access to many of Sri Lanka’s cultural and natural attractions. Popular places to visit in and around Kandy include:

Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
Kandy Lake
Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya
Udawattakele Forest Sanctuary
Ceylon Tea Museum
Kandy National Museum

Further afield, students often travel to destinations such as Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Dambulla Cave Temple, and the famous scenic train journey to Ella.

Sri Lanka’s compact size makes it possible to explore different regions of the island during weekends or after completing the elective.

Edit Content

Elective placements at Teaching Hospital Peradeniya are available throughout the year, subject to departmental availability. Fair Trade Electives placements are offered for a minimum duration of four weeks. Accommodation is available locally and charged separately from the host elective fee.

Duration	Host Elective Fee (USD)	Accommodation (guide)	Availability
4 weeks	$400	approx. $160–240	Year round

Fees are shown in US dollars as they are set by the host institution. Fair Trade Electives will confirm the equivalent cost in GBP when issuing your elective quotation.

What’s Included

Placement coordination with Teaching Hospital Peradeniya and the Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya
Confirmation of your elective placement and department
Guidance on required documentation
Access to Fair Trade Electives pre-departure preparation
Support from the Fair Trade Electives team before your elective

What’s Not Included

The following costs are not included in the placement fee:

Accommodation (available locally and charged separately)
Flights and international travel
Visa costs (please ensure you apply early here)
Travel and medical insurance
Local transport
Meals and daily living expenses
Personal travel or tourism during your stay

FTE Booking Fee Applies

Edit Content

How long can I stay at Teaching Hospital Peradeniya?

Fair Trade Electives placements at Teaching Hospital Peradeniya are offered for a minimum of four weeks. In some cases, longer placements may be possible depending on departmental availability.

Which departments can I join?

Students can request placements in a range of clinical departments including Medicine, Surgery, Paediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Anaesthesiology, Psychiatry, Radiology, Community Medicine and other specialties.

What does a typical week look like?

Students usually attend the hospital 4–5 days per week and join ward rounds, clinics, teaching sessions and departmental activities alongside Sri Lankan medical students and clinical teams. Daily schedules vary depending on the department.

What is supervision like?

Students learn within clinical teams that may include consultants, registrars, and Sri Lankan medical students. Teaching is largely informal and takes place through ward rounds, clinical discussions and departmental sessions.

What are the accommodation arrangements?

Accommodation is not included in the placement fee, but the Faculty of Medicine can suggest accommodation options in Peradeniya and nearby Kandy. Students may also arrange their own accommodation.

Do I need a visa?

Most international students will need a tourist visa or Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter Sri Lanka. Visa requirements can change, so students should check the latest guidance from Sri Lankan immigration authorities before travelling. Please also apply well in advance of travel.

Is Peradeniya safe for students?

Peradeniya and Kandy are generally considered safe locations for visiting students, but students should follow standard travel safety precautions and remain aware of local advice.

Are there dress expectations?

Students should dress professionally and respectfully in the clinical environment. Scrubs or smart clinical attire are generally appropriate depending on the department.

Can I travel on weekends?

Yes. Most students have weekends free, which provides opportunities to explore Sri Lanka during their stay. Popular destinations include Sigiriya, Dambulla, tea plantations in the central highlands, and the scenic train journey to Ella.

What should I bring for my elective?

Students should bring appropriate clinical attire, warm-weather clothing, and any personal medical equipment they prefer to use. Fair Trade Electives will provide pre-departure guidance to help students prepare for their placement.