Student Information
Your pathway to an Ethical Elective
What are Fair Trade Electives?
An Ethical Approach
We focus on creating elective experiences that are guided by fair trade principles. This means ensuring that partner organisations are fairly compensated, placements are well-structured, and students contribute meaningfully to the local healthcare environment.
Quality and Safety
We only partner with organisations that meet our quality standards. This ensures that your elective will be a safe, well-supervised, and enriching learning experience.
Student Support
From helping you choose the right placement to providing pre-departure preparation and ongoing support, we make sure you have all the tools you need for a successful elective.
Global Citizenship
Participating in an FTE placement is more than just a learning experience. It’s an opportunity to engage responsibly in global health, develop cultural competency, and contribute to a more equitable world.
How does it work?
Send in your application
Once you’ve filled out our application we’ll get in touch to discuss your goals, interests, and the electives that fit your profile.
Placement Matching
After discussing your preferences, we’ll help you select the right elective from our approved host organisations. We’ll work with you to confirm availability and finalise the details of your placement.
Booking
Once we have confirmed your chosen elective you will be sent a booking form. To secure your elective, a non-refundable booking fee applies:
£200 – for students from our partner universities (includes a £100 discount).
£250 – for students from universities in the wider FTE Network (includes a £50 discount).
£300 – for all other UK students (standard booking fee).
This fee helps us coordinate with your host hospital, confirm your elective arrangements, and provide ongoing support. It also allows us to keep placement costs fair and transparent, while reinvesting into our partner hospitals.
Prepare for Your Elective
We provide resources to help you prepare for your elective, including information on accommodation, travel, safety, and any other practicalities. We also provide short online modules designed to help you get the most out of your experience safely and our team is available to assist you with pre-departure advice and guidance.
Fundraising Opportunities
As part of the FTE program, you’ll have the option to fundraise for your host organisation. This not only helps support the local community, but it also gives you a deeper connection to your placement, and you can use a proportion of this to offset your costs if you wish. We will guide you through the fundraising process, and the funds you raise can be directed toward specific needs at the host site.
On-Site Support
Once you arrive at your elective placement, you’ll have local supervision through our community partners. While FTE offers limited emergency support, your university will remain your primary contact for emergency situations.
Student Feedback
At the end of your elective, you will provide detailed feedback on your experience. Your insights help us continually improve the program and support future students.
What can I expect?
Each FTE placement is designed to be a meaningful learning experience where you can gain hands-on experience, enhance your clinical skills, and learn from local healthcare professionals. Here’s what you can expect:
Hands-on Learning:
You’ll be actively involved in clinical activities, quality improvement projects, or research, depending on your chosen elective. You’ll be supervised by experienced professionals and can participate in discussions, ward rounds, and hands-on clinical work as locally appropriate.
Cultural Exchange:
FTE electives are a chance to immerse yourself in a new culture and healthcare system. This will expand your cultural competency and understanding of global health challenges.
Ethical Engagement:
We encourage students to think critically about their role in the global healthcare system. This means reflecting on how you can contribute responsibly and ensuring that your actions benefit both you and the host organisation
Can I fundraise?
Yes! FTE encourages students to fundraise as part of their elective experience. This allows you to directly support your host organisation, helping them invest in local healthcare and infrastructure. We offer support with your fundraising efforts, and the funds raised will go toward:
- Equipment or resources needed by the host
- Community outreach programs
- Enhancing the healthcare services offered by the host organisation
Fundraising is also an opportunity to involve your family, friends, and community in supporting your elective journey. Students can choose to use up to 50% of the funds raised to offset their own elective costs, making the experience more accessible for students from various financial backgrounds.
You can find some information about elective bursaries here: https://meddip.com/our-blog/f/list-of-bursaries-with-deadlines
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Who can apply for an FTE elective?
Senior medical students who are looking for a meaningful and ethical elective experience in the Global South can apply. Placements are typically clinical but may include quality improvement or research projects.
How much does an FTE placement cost?
The cost varies depending on the placement and host organisation. We offer low-cost placement options and encourage students to fundraise to help cover the cost. Our booking fee is £300, £200 for collaborating universities. This fee covers all of your support from FTE and helps us to keep our costs down for you.
What kind of support does FTE offer?
FTE provides pre-departure support, guidance throughout the placement process, and limited emergency assistance. However, the primary responsibility for safety and supervision remains with the student’s medical school and host organisation.
How do I fundraise for my partner organisation?
Once you’re confirmed for a placement, we’ll provide you with resources and guidance on fundraising. You can direct the funds raised to specific needs at your host site, and a portion can be used to reduce your own costs.
What countries do you offer placements in?
Our current partners are situated in Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Malawi, India, Uganda and Rwanda.
REGISTER YOUR INTEREST NOW!
