Face to face work experience

What to expect

You will be matched with an NHS consultant for a 1-5-day placement, providing you with the opportunity to witness clinical medicine in action.

Our consultants, who specialise in various fields, generously contribute their time for these placements. Your placement may include time in outpatient clinics, inpatient ward rounds, theatre or other educational activities.

Most placements occur during the school holidays, though if you have permission from your school and parent/carer you may be able to complete a placement outside of the holidays.

While we will make every effort to accommodate your preferences, we cannot guarantee specific dates or specialties.

Reflection is a crucial part of your work experience journey. To help you get the most out of your learning, we have created a Work Experience Learning Journal.

Access your copy.

View your work experience learning contract, outlining the expectations for your conduct while at work experience.

How to apply

We partner with local schools to offer placements for students who live or go to school in our local community. If you live locally or attend a local school, your sixth form lead or teacher can email imperial.work.experience@nhs.net to enquire about a work experience placement.

This includes students living or attending school in Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Chelsea & Kensington, Westminster, Hounslow and Brent.

Due to high volume of applications, we do not accept direct applications from students. Please do not directly email consultants at Imperial to enquire about work experience, as these placements will not be approved.

Students who are out of area or where we do not have capacity to offer face-to-face work experience are welcome to attend our virtual work experience programme over the summer.

Students who undertake work experience must be

• be considering applying to Medical School
• be aged 16-18 years
• be in full-time education and studying at least 2 Science A levels including Chemistry (an entry requirement for most Medical Schools
• not have previously undertaken another medical work experience placement 

Widening participation

We continue to monitor the background demographics of all students who participate in our face-to-face work experience, to ensure all groups of students have equitable access to work experience

Key details

• Cost: free for students. Any incurred travel and accommodation expenses will need to be covered by students. If travel or accommodation costs are a barrier to you attending work experience, please get in touch via email at imperial.work.experience@nhs.net 

• Location: work experience may occur at any of the Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust's sites, including St Mary's Hospital, Charing Cross Hospital, Queen Charlotte's & Chelsea Hospital and Western Eye Hospital