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.
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
FTE Fundraising Award – £100
The FTE Fundraising Award celebrates students who demonstrate creativity, initiative and ethical fundraising in support of their host institution. We welcome submissions that highlight innovative approaches, collective efforts and ideas that may inspire others to support their own elective communities.
The award is currently closed
How does it work?
- See What FTE Offer
Look at our host sites and ‘Get in Touch’ if you need more information.
- SubmitYour Application
Complete our online application form and select up to three preferred elective destinations. We’ll review your application, ensure you’re eligible for FTE and may suggest you contact us to discuss your options. Note availability can be easier if you are flexible regarding speciality.
- Placement Confirmation
We will liaise with your preferred hospital(s) to confirm availability and suitability. If your first choice is unavailable, we will explore your second or third option for you. Once availability is confirmed, we will provide a cost breakdown for an elective at your chosen destination and duration before you commit.
- Secure Your Placement
Your placement is only secured once the Booking Fee of £300 has been paid. You will receive a booking form to complete and payment link.
Please note:
The Booking Fee supports our running costs and is additional to the Host’s Elective Fee.
For our FTE Collaborating and Network School students Early Booking Discounts of £50 or £100 are available 6 and 9 month in advance respectively. These will be refunded when the balancing payment is requested one month before your placement.
- Pay the Elective Fee
The Host’s Elective Fee is payable 30 days to departure. A detailed invoice and breakdown will be provided based upon any additional options you have requested – such as airport pick-up or single room supplements and any early booking discount due to you.
- Prepare for Your Elective
All students complete our short online pre-departure training modules covering:
- Global health and fair trade principles
- Global health on electives
- Wellbeing and risk management
- Real elective scenarios
We also provide guidance on accommodation, travel, insurance and practical preparation.
- Fundraising (Optional)
You are invited to fundraise for your host institution, which is much appreciated and gets you more engaged, it can also be used to offset up to 50% of the host’s fee if you choose. All donations flow through our charitable structure to ensure good governance and are reinvested into partner hospitals according to their priorities.
- During Your Elective
You will have local supervision through your host institution while your university remains your primary emergency contact in line with standard elective policy. FTE provides additional remote support where needed.
- After Your Elective
You will complete structured feedback to help us strengthen our partnerships and assist future students by maintaining high standards.
Please note:
There is additional information regarding all aspects of elective costs under the Money Matters tab. You are encouraged to look at this to get a realistic idea of typical costs as well as guidance on NHS bursary and other financial support options, including using fundraising for your host to offset some of their fee.
Please review our T&C regarding refund and other finance policies.
Student Feedback
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. 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!
