1. Am I eligible for the Medical Elective Programme if I am enrolled in a course other than Medicine?
No. Only students attending a medical course at Universities other than the University of Malta are accepted.
2. In which years of study or training can I apply for a Medical Elective?
Applications are open to medical students in their clinical years and doctors in FY1 of the Foundation Programme.
Note: Applicants who have completed their first year of the Foundation Programme should contact the Malta Foundation Programme.
3. Will I be able to gain hands-on experience during the Medical Electives Programme?
Elective placements are primarily observational. Students are not permitted to conduct independent clinical examinations. Any hands-on clinical exposure is granted at the discretion of the supervising clinician.
Please note: If you choose to purchase the University of Malta Medical Malpractice Insurance, the fee is non-refundable upon cancellation.
4. Will I be provided a Certificate on completion of my elective placement?
Yes. Upon completion of your clinical attachment, the Electives Office provides students a Certificate of Medical Clerkship and a Practical Skills Certificate, available upon request.
A certificate is issued individually per specialty for each supervising consultant. These certificates are recognized by universities worldwide.
5. Which hospital will I be assigned to?
Elective placements can take place in the following teaching hospitals, depending on the specialty:
a. Mater Dei Hospital (all specialties, except for Geriatrics and Oncology)
b. Karin Grech Rehabilitation Hospital/ St. Vincent de Paul Long Term Care Facility (Geriatrics)
c. Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Centre (Oncology)
6. Which specialties offer medical elective placements throughout the year?
Surgery: General Surgery, Vascular Surgery, Cardiothoracic, Urology, Anaesthesia, Neurosurgery, Ophthalmology (June to January only), ENT, Plastic Surgery and Orthopaedics
Medicine: Respiratory, Endocrinology, Renal, Gastroenterology, Cardiology, Rheumatology, Infectious diseases, Acute Medicine, Geriatrics, Oncology, Sports Medicine, Neurology (Mid-June to Mid-September only), Paediatrics (July to September only and final year students only), Dermatology (February to September only) and
Other: Accident and Emergency (final year students only), Obstetrics and Gynaecology (July to September only and final year students only), Hyperbaric Unit, Pathology, Haematology and Radiology
7. I am a fourth year medical student. Can I have a placement in Accident and Emergency, Obstetrics and Gynaecology or Paediatrics?
Placements in Accident and Emergency, Obstetrics and Gynaecology as well as in Paediatrics are offered only to final year medical students.
8. On which days and times should I be at the hospital during an elective placement?
Unless directed otherwise by the Consultant, elective students are generally expected to be with the Firm they are attached to as follows:
Monday to Friday from: 08:00 to 14:30 and
Saturday from: 08:00 to 13:00.
9. I would like to gain as much exposure to the operating theatre/ward/rounds/ outpatients/radiology as possible. Can I have my placement solely at the operating theatre?
No, this is not possible. An elective student is attached to a Consultant’s Firm, therefore students will be shadowing the Consultant according to the Firm’s schedule.
10. Are medical electives students formally assessed by the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery during their placement?
Medical electives students will not be assessed since the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery only provides assessment to students who are enrolled in one of its courses. However, the Faculty provides a record of skills as per the Practical Skills Certificate.
11. Are medical elective students allowed to join students in the M.D. Course for lectures, tutorials or simulation sessions?
No, medical elective students can only attend clinical placements with the assigned specialty.
12. Do I need a Medical Malpractice Insurance to carry out a Medical Electives Programme in Malta?
Medical Malpractice Insurance has become a requirement for all medical students and health care professionals who have patient contact. The students’ Home University shall fill in a declaration which is included in the application form stating whether students have Medical Malpractice Insurance.
Some Universities provide Medical Malpractice Insurance coverage for their students. Applicants who are not covered by Medical Malpractice Insurance through a policy taken up by their Home University are required to submit proof of Medical Malpractice Insurance when submitting their application. Students may purchase Medical Malpractice Insurance from the Faculty (and can do so only after their application is processed by the MMSA Electives Team), however they must indicate their intention to purchase the said insurance when sending us their application.
13. Does the University of Malta offer Medical Malpractice Insurance to incoming medical elective students?
Yes, the University of Malta offers the possibility for elective students to apply for Medical Malpractice Insurance for the following nominal fee:
Medical Malpractice Insurance for placements up to 4 weeks: EUR 30
Medical Malpractice Insurance for placements of more than 4 weeks: EUR 50.
For elective placements commencing from 01 October 2027, the following fees will apply:
Medical Malpractice Insurance for placements up to 4 weeks: EUR 50
Medical Malpractice Insurance for placements of more than 4 weeks: EUR 70
14. My home university requires the signature of a training agreement detailing the conditions of the placement. Can this be signed?
No. The Medical Electives Programme does not sign external training agreements or custom contract forms provided by home universities. All conditions of the placement are governed solely by our standard programme terms and guidelines.
15. When should I submit the required documentation?
Students are to submit all the required documentation with the application form at least 3 months prior to the desired elective dates. Applications sent less than 3 months prior to the desired dates are at risk of not being accepted.
16. Will I always be assigned to the desired specialty I specified on the Application form?
Although every attempt is taken to match the student's selected specialty as specified on the application form, this may not always be possible. If the selected specialisation is not available, the elective student will be offered alternative options.
17. I would like more information about VISA requirements to travel to Malta. Where can I find further information?
You can find more information by accessing the Central Visa Unit website and the Requirements for a VISA webpage.
18. Do you offer Accommodation?
No, the students are responsible for securing their own accommodation during their Medical Elective Programme in Malta.
19. In the past I had a conviction. Will you accept my application form?
No. Students with past or present convictions will not be accepted.
20. I am a UK student looking to meet the Police Conduct submission requirement. Can I submit an ACRO Certificate in place of a DBS check?
No, we do not accept ACRO Certificates. You must provide a DBS check as part of your application.
21. What are the requirements for the Police Conduct Certificate?
To streamline the process for students, a second Police Conduct Certificate will only be required at the Introductory Meeting if the original certificate is more than six months old as of the placement start date. If the certificate is less than six months old, no additional certificate is necessary. Please note that at the Introductory Meeting, all elective students must present both the original Police Conduct Certificate and a photocopy for verification. The copy will be retained for our records, while the original will be returned to the student. Failure to provide both the original and the copy will result in the student being unable to begin their elective placement. Please note it is very important that Police Conducts are issued in English. Should your local Authorities issue the certificate in the respective language spoken in that country, it needs to be officially translated into English.
22. Can I wear green scrubs outside the hospital premises?
No, green scrubs are strictly for use in theatre areas only and should not be worn outside hospital premises. While the blue uniform may be worn outside the hospital, green scrubs must remain within the designated clinical areas.
1. How to Apply?
To submit your application, please complete the Google Form (which includes the Application Form) and prepare and upload the required documentation listed below:
a. One recent digital passport-sized photograph.
b. A scanned copy of the passport page showing your photograph, passport number and nationality.
c. A scanned copy of your Visa or Schengen Visa, where applicable.
Students who require a visa to travel to Malta must also submit a scanned copy of their passport clearly indicating their nationality. Further information regarding visa requirements is available in Questions 4 and 5 of this section.
d. The Home University Recommendation,
e. Evidence of Travel Insurance (including personal accident cover), where available.
Obtaining a travel insurance is strongly recommended. Students are responsible for arranging appropriate insurance cover. The University of Malta accepts no liability for students who choose not to obtain adequate insurance.
f. A scanned copy of a detailed Police Conduct Certificate, issued within three (3) months of the date of the application.
A second, updated detailed Police Conduct Certificate, issued no earlier than six (6) months before the commencement of the elective, must be presented at the Introductory Meeting only if the original certificate submitted with the application will be more than six months old by the elective start date. If the original certificate is less than six months old at the commencement of the elective, no additional certificate is required.
Students studying in a country other than their country of citizenship must submit detailed Police Conduct Certificates from both countries.
Students who fail to present the required original Police Conduct Certificate(s) will not be permitted to commence their elective placement.
g. Evidence of Medical Malpractice Insurance.
Students who do not already hold suitable Medical Malpractice Insurance may apply for cover through the University of Malta at the nominal fee indicated in Question 13 of the previous section.
h. Any additional certification required by your home university. If such certification is required, please tick the relevant checkbox.
Do not travel to Malta until all mandatory requirements have been fully satisfied and your elective placement has been confirmed.
2. When should I submit my application form?
The application form should be submitted not later than 3 months before the commencement date of the elective period. Applications submitted after this date may not be processed.
3. How many times am I allowed to change my speciality? How many weeks prior to my commencement of elective placement, am I required to submit such a request?
Students are permitted to request a change to their specialty or elective period once only. All requests must be submitted at least 4 weeks prior to the start of the placement. Please note that requests submitted past this deadline may not be processed.
4. I need a Visa to carry out a Medical Electives Programme in Malta. How will this affect my application process?
Unless the Electives Office receives a copy of your visa, your application for an elective placement cannot be officially approved.
a. Students are to submit a scanned copy of their passport, clearly indicating their nationality. The copy of the passport can be sent to the Maltese immigration authority for further verification;
b. Students who opt for the Medical Malpractice Insurance offered by the University of Malta
shall be invoiced as per the following nominal fees:
(i) EUR 30 (for an elective placement of up to 4 weeks) and,
(ii) EUR 50 (for an elective placement of more than 4 weeks).
For elective placements commencing from 01 October 2027, the following fees will apply:
Medical Malpractice Insurance for placements up to 4 weeks: EUR 50
Medical Malpractice Insurance for placements of more than 4 weeks: EUR 70
c. The Embassy/Consulate might need a letter of invitation from the University of Malta. The
Letter of Invitation is not the official letter of acceptance;
d. The Letter of Invitation will be issued once you settle the following in full:
(i) the Application Fee, and
(ii) the Administration Fee.
e. Students requiring a Visa or residence permit shall be required to pay the Visa/
Supplementary Fee of EUR 75 to cover additional administrative work.
For elective placements commencing from 01 October 2027, the Visa/Residence Permit Supplementary Fee of EUR 100 to cover additional administrative work.
f. The Embassy/Consulate might request the evidence of full payment before a visa is issued;
g. The official acceptance letter will be issued following presentation of a valid visa/residence
permit, of which a scanned copy has to be forwarded via email;
h. If a visa is not approved by the competent authorities in Malta, all fees less any bank
charges incurred will be refunded; and
Students are advised to ensure that the Visa issued is correct and confirmed by the relevant authorities before flying to Malta.
5. What is the Visa/Residence Permit Supplementary Fee, and does it cover official fees?
No, this fee is separate from official embassy or immigration fees. It is an administrative fee (€75; increasing to €100 for placements starting from 1 October 2027) that covers internal document checking and verification with the Visa Unit. Students remain responsible for verifying their own travel requirements to Malta.
For elective placements commencing from 01 October 2027, the Visa/Residence Permit Supplementary Fee will increase to EUR 100.
6. What is the process for an Occupational Health Protocol (OHP) for Visiting Students to be officially approved?
a. Download the Occupational Health Protocol (OHP) for Visiting Students. Please note that any health related queries are to be directed to the Medical Officer in charge of Occupational Health.
b. Complete and sign the Occupational Health Protocol form, scan it and send it by email, together with any results, to the Medical Officer in charge of Occupational Health. Please state clearly in your email subject that you are applying for a medical elective placement.
c. Copies of all test results and documentation should be in English. Scan these and attach them to the same email. Please note that test results should be dated and submitted not earlier than 6 months and not later than 3 months of your commencement date. OHP clearance does not automatically imply acceptance for the elective programme. Such acceptance will be communicated separately.
d. Failure of submission within this deadline could mean that you cannot commence your elective placement. Insufficient information will require further enquiries and may delay the application process.
7. What is the minimum and maximum allowed duration for a medical elective placement?
The minimum duration of a medical elective placement is of 2 weeks and the maximum duration is of 12 weeks.
8. I might not be able to attend on the first day of the elective placement. Will this affect my certification?
Although the Letter of Acceptance stipulates the dates you applied for, the certificate shows the actual commencement and end date. Any missing days will have to marked on the certificate.
9. I am required by my home University to do a certain number of days at the host University and I am planning to end my stay on a Sunday/public holiday. Is this possible?
No. Commencement dates should be between Monday and Friday and end dates should be between Monday and Saturday except when there are public holidays.
Thursday, January 1 – New Year's Day
Tuesday, February 10 – St. Paul’s Shipwreck
Thursday, March 19 – St. Joseph’s Day
Tuesday, March 31 – Freedom Day
Friday, April 3 – Good Friday
Friday, May 1 – Worker's Day
Sunday, June 7 – Sette Giugno
Monday, June 29 – St. Peter & St. Paul
Saturday, August 15 – Assumption of Mary
Tuesday, September 8 – Victory Day
Monday, September 21 – Independence Day
Tuesday, December 8 – Immaculate Conception
Sunday, December 13 – Republic Day
Friday, December 25 – Christmas
Friday, January 1 – New Year's Day
Wednesday, February 10 – St. Paul’s Shipwreck
Friday, March 19 – St. Joseph’s Day
Friday, March 26 – Good Friday
Wednesday, March 31 – Freedom Day
Saturday, May 1 – Worker's Day
Monday, June 7 – Sette Giugno
Tuesday, June 29 – St. Peter & St. Paul
Sunday, August 15 – Assumption of Mary
Wednesday, September 8 – Victory Day
Tuesday, September 21 – Independence Day
Wednesday, December 8 – Immaculate Conception
Monday, December 13 – Republic Day
Saturday, December 25 – Christmas
10. When the Electives Office is closed?
The Electives Office will be closed during Christmas Recess:
between Monday 21 December 2026 till Sunday 3 January 2027.
11. How long does it take for me to receive the official Letter of Acceptance from the University of Malta Faculty of Medicine and Surgery?
The official letter of acceptance is sent once all the required documentation have been submitted and fees paid. If asked, the MMSA can issue a provisional acceptance letter upon processing the application, while the official acceptance letter will be provided ONLY after receiving full payment.
14. What should I do once I receive the invoice?
The full payment must be settled in full, two weeks before commencement date. Students who fail to settle the invoice in full will not be allowed to commence their elective placement.
15. How should I settle the invoice?
The only procedure accepted for settlement before arrival in Malta is by bank transfer. Payments via other means such as Paypal or Western Union Money Transfer are NOT accepted. In case that you are paying with another currency besides Euros, it is kindly advisable that you contact your bank to check the exchange rate of the day, since the exchange rate is changes very frequently during the day.
16. What are the current standard elective fees?
Current Elective Administrative and Application fees (Rates are subject to change)
Application fees - EUR 75 paid once
Visa/Resident Permit Supplementary fee - EUR 75 paid once
Administrative fees - EUR 75/week of elective period
Thus, a typical 4 week Elective period would cost EUR 375.
(EUR 75 x 4 [weeks]) + EUR 75 [application fee; paid once] = EUR 375/ month
The Elective fees do not include accommodation costs.
For elective placements commencing from 01 October 2027, the Elective Administrative and Application fees will increase as follows (Rates are subject to change):
Application fees - EUR 100 paid once
Visa/Resident Permit Supplementary fee - EUR 100 paid once
Administrative fees - EUR 100/week of elective period
Thus, a typical 4-week Elective period would cost EUR 500.
(EUR 100 x 4 [weeks]) + EUR 100 [application fee; paid once] = EUR 500/ month
The Elective fees do not include accommodation costs.
17. What is the cancellation policy when I cancel my elective placement?
Placement refunds are processed based on when the cancellation request is received prior to your start date:
More than 2 months prior: 100% refund
1 to 2 months prior: 50% refund
Less than 1 month prior: No refund
Note: No refunds are issued for partial cancellations of a placement or for cancellations made after the placement commencement date.
Last updated: 14 October 2026