Studying Abroad
In Year 5, all students undertake an elective project. This eight-week period provides students with the opportunity to develop personally and professionally, by arranging and performing a project of their choice in any field of medicine, at an approved host institution. Careful choice of project is increasing seen as useful in future career development. Students choose Electives in a wide range of countries (70 in the last five years across Africa, Asia, America and Europe) to study a wide range of subjects from molecules to populations. Project types vary too, with some being observational research, others reviews, audits, evaluations and studies of educational need, a number producing learning tools for patients or students. Projects are written up and assessed as part of the Degree Programme. Some studies are presented at medical societies and the most successful might be published in medical journals.
The whole process of planning the elective and organisation of funding takes many months and begins at least 18 months prior to leaving Aberdeen. As students are required to design their own project, they will need to choose a subject and location. They must then contact an expert in an interesting locality, who is willing to supervise the project. The project plans include risk assessment and must be approved by the Electives Advisers in Year 4 and then students will need to organise their own travel, accommodation, funding and associated arrangements. The Medical School does have a number of awards for very good projects, which can help to offset costs.