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St George's University of London is one of the few remaining free standing medical schools in the country. It is not limited by this fact and has extensive networks with both other hospitals and universities within London. With around 6,000 staff caring for patients around the clock, St George's Healthcare NHS Trust is one of the country's largest teaching hospitals, treating more than 500,000 patients every year, training medical students and carrying out advanced medical research.
For a Virtual Tour of St George's follow the link below:
http://www.sgul.ac.uk/virtualtour/sg/
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Location
St George's Hospital and University are located on one site providing an excellent clinical experience from day one! The hospital is based in South West London in an area called Tooting with a diverse mix of people from all walks of life.
The corresponding maps show the location of Tooting in London and a more detailed overview of St George's University within Tooting.
Local Activities
Even though it is apparent that St George's is primarily a hospital, it still provides a diverse range of local activities. On site activities include:
- Sports/Gym
- Bar
- Games Room
Local activities include:
- Tooting Leisure - Sports Gym including swimming and sauna.
- Excellent range of restaurants with all types of cuisine
- Parks
- Cinema
- Wimbledon - Best Tennis in town!
Most importantly, St George's is very close to all London attractions (see below).
London activities
Here is a list of the main tourist attractions in London should you wish to visit them.
Man-made attractions
• The London Eye Flight (Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7PB)
Night or day the London Eye offers spectacular views of London from high above the River Thames.
Open every day 10:00am – 9:00pm Ticket: £17.00
• The London Eye River Cruise
A 40 minute circular sightseeing cruise on the river Thames.
Open every day 10:00am – 9:00pm Ticket: £12.00
• Madame Tussauds (Marylebone Road, London, NW1 5LR)
Has all the best stars of the celebrity world all brought together under one roof!
Open every day 09:00am – 6:00pm Ticket: £25.00
• London Dungeons (28-34 Tooley Street,
London, SE1 2SZ)
Transport yourself back to the darkest moments in the capital's history within the deep depths of the London Dungeon.
Open every day 09:30am – 6:30pm Ticket: £21.95
• London Zoo (Regent's Park, London NW1)
Lets you climb, touch, tunnel and splash your way through the animal kingdom.
Open every day 10:00am – varies Ticket: £16.80
• London Aquarium (County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7PB)
If it's just fish you're after then the aquarium has a great, beautiful atmosphere.
Open Monday to Friday 10:00am – 6:00pm and Saturday and Sunday 10:00am – 7:00pm Ticket: To be confirmed.
Museums
• The British Museum (Bloomsbury Square, London, WC1A 2RJ)
The British Museum's collection of seven million objects representing the rich history of human cultures mirrors the city of London's global variety.
Open every day from 10:00 – 17:30. Admission is FREE!
• Natural History Museum (Cromwell Road,
London, SW7 5BD)
Celebrating the Victorian's love of Science and Nature.
Open every day from 10:00 – 17:50. Admission is FREE!
• Imperial War Museum (Lambeth Road,
London, SE1 6HZ)
The Imperial War Museum is unique in its coverage of conflicts, especially those involving Britain and the Commonwealth, from the First World War to the present day.
• Tate Modern (Bankside, London, SE1 9TG)
A visit to London isn't complete without a trip to Tate Modern.
Open every day from 10:00 – 18:00 Admission is FREE!
Historic Landmarks
• Buckingham Palace
• The Houses of Parliament
• Tower Bridge Exhibition
• The O2
• Princess Diana Memorial
Theatres
• Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre tour and exhibition
Shakespeare's Globe is a unique international resource dedicated to the exploration of Shakespeare's work and the playhouse for which he wrote.
Open Monday to Saturday 9:00 am – 12:30pm and Sunday 9:00am – 11:30am Ticket: £10.50
• The Comedy Store
Best of British Comedy!
Shows usually begin at 8pm. Ticket: £10 for students.
Theme Parks
• Thorpe Park
All the best rides in one place. The faint hearted be warned!
Ticket: £35
• Chessington World of Adventures
A large variety of rides from the extreme to the relaxed.
Ticket: ~£30
The hospital
As St George's is a large Hospital it contains a vast range of specialities and expertise. With millions spent on research it is also host to pioneering work and techniques in medicine.
Facilities include:
- Specialist Library
- Specialist Book Shop
- 24hr Computer rooms
- Private study rooms
- Bar
- Games Room
- Gym
- Canteen and and other food places - M&S, Peabody's and Eddie Wilson's Cafe.
- Student Centre - dedicated centre to help all students including SCOPE exchange students every day!
St George's courses
St George's University is a specialist medical school where all course are healthcare related. These include:
Medicine, Biomedical sciences, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Radiotherapy
This allows early contact with all colleagues within thr multidisciplinary team.
The Medical course (MBBS5) is 5 years long:
Years 1 & 2 - Core modules are covered.
Years 3, 4 & 5 - Clinical Years.
Although the course has been split into two (as above), St George's is unique because it teaches clinical skills and has clinical attachments from day 1. Four themes are focused and examined throughout the course:
• Basic and Clinical Sciences
• Community and Population Health
• Patient and Doctor
• Personal and Professional Development
There is also a 4 year Medical course (MBBS4) - Graduate entry programme (GEP) which teaches core modules in one year instead of two.
Culture
Tooting is home to a wide variety of culture. There is a large south asian population.
Accommodation & Boarding
At St George's, we operate a partner system, so your main contact person will be your outgoing (St George's) student with the LEO and other members of the St George's Elective Society supporting. Your accommodation will depend on the situation of your outgoing student and what you arrange with them before your arrival.
Many of our students pay for 4 weeks accommodation for you in Horton Halls, the university residence (for a virtual tour follow this link http://www.sgul.ac.uk/virtualtour/hh/). Others will arrange to provide you with a room in a flat or house. If you do a direct swap and stay in their room whilst they are away on their exchange, they will sort this out with you well in advance so that your dates match up.
Social program
St George's does not have a structured social programme, although we are trying to set one up for 2012. As it is located close to all london attractions incoming students usually do their own thing! It is a particularly friendly university and members of the elective society will usually be around to help you out. However, do be prepared to be independent, because in August many of us go away on our own exchanges and in July many of us have exams.
Travel
As St George's is in London, it is well connected to all major attractions by bus and train. Here is a link to a map of the London Underground train network: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/standard-tube-map.pdf
The Oyster Card The oyster card (or swipe card) is generally the cheapest way to make single journeys in the Capital.
It can be used on bus, Tube, trams, DLR, London Over ground trains and some National Rail services in London.
It is a pay-as-you-go card, for which you will need to top up cash in order to get on the London transport system. You can obtain these oyster cards (£3) from any booth within the stations and begin use immediately.
Alternatively, you can purchase tickets however these cost more than using an Oyster Card.
Travel on day of arrival - Airports
The first thing to say is: DO NOT BOOK YOUR FLIGHTS UNTIL YOU HAVE ARRANGED EVERYTHING WITH YOUR EXCHANGE PARTNER. If you are going to want to book flights well in advance, you need to get your documents in and be in touch with us even further in advance to get everything finalised before you can book them.
Your contact person will arrange the details with you prior to your arrival, but usually, they pick you up from Tooting Broadway or whichever station is nearest their accommodation.
When using the London Underground, please make sure that you follow the signs pointing towards the Line you are supposed to take. Please use this link to view and print out a map of the different Lines of the Underground train service that runs in London: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/standard-tube-map.pdf
London Heathrow Airport
Heathrow Airport Underground Take the Piccadilly Line towards Cockfosters
King's Cross St. Pancras Underground Station Take the Northern Line towards Morden
Arrive at Tooting Broadway Underground Station
Luton Airport - This airport is quite far from London but is well connected
Luton Airport Parkway Rail Station Take the First Capital Connect towards St Pancras International or East Midlands Trains towards St Pancras International
St Pancras International Walk to King's Cross St. Pancras Underground Station
King's Cross St. Pancras Underground Station Take the Northern Line towards Morden
Arrive at Tooting Broadway Underground Station
London Gatwick Airport
Gatwick Airport Rail Station Take the First Capital Connect towards London Bridge Station
London Bridge Rail Station Take the Northern Line towards Morden
London City Airport
London City Airport DLR station Take the DLR train to Bank Underground station
Bank Underground Station Take the Northern Line towards Morden
Arrive at Tooting Broadway Underground Station
Weather
During the Summer months of July/August the weather is usually good. Good = mild weather with sporadic moments of heat (~30 celcius) and rain! Usually the temperature is within the low 20's.
Exchange conditions
Here is a link to the complete exchange conditions for the UK:
http://www.ifmsa.net/public/ecscope.php?id=35.
The individual requirements for St George's are listed below:
IMPORTANT: At St George's we operate a partner system whereby your St George's exchange partner acts as your contact person, organises your elective and provides you with accommodation and pocket money themselves with a view to having this in return when they visit your country. It is therefore important that you communicate with this person throughout the process of organising your elective.
Level of studies: Previous clinical experience is usually required - so you will get the most from your exchange
Type of Clerkship: DIRECT Bilateral Clinical exchanges.
Months available: - Any time you want as long as we have enough notice and your exchange partner and you come to an arrangement about accommodation which everyone is happy with.
Languages: English Only
Duration of Clerkship - We are flexible on this but your exchange partner is only obliged to provide you with as many weeks accommodation as you provide them when they return to your country. You can, of course, request more than 4 weeks and sort out the extra accommodation yourself and we will always do our best to meet your requests when possible.
Working Conditions - Working hours depend on department and supervisor's schedule. Typical working hours are Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm.
Dress code:
- No white coats required - Wards operate a bare below the elbow policy (watches, bracelets, rings and sleeves must be rolled up).Your dress must be smart & professional:
Men: Shirts, trousers, smart shoes. Ties are debateable: some consultants prefer you to wear a tie, others don't. Bring a few just in case!
Women: NO short skirts or plunging necklines. NO open toed shoes/very high heels. Hair should be tied up.
- Surgical theatres will provide you with scrubs, bringing your own theatre footware (eg crocs / covered cloggs) us advisable
Disciplines:
As St George's is a large Hospital it offers a large variety of specialities! We will endaevour to match you to your first choice but cannot always guarantee it.
Application documents & deadline
Please follow these steps exactly:
1. Completed application form including letter(s) of motivation (submitted online through IFMSA site)
The following documents need to be scanned and emailed in one zip file to the LEO, Chris Roche (leo.stgeorges@googlemail.com), 4-6 months in advance (non EU students) and 3-4 months in advance (EU students):
2. Passport photo
3. Passport scan
4. English language certificate (compulsory for all students). Please see this document for a full list of accepted qualifications and countries where this is not required: Media:English Language Qualification.jpg
Please also see these guidelines for language certificate: http://www.sgul.ac.uk/international/english-language-requirements
5. One academic reference / letter of recommendation from faculty
6. Proof of registration at medical school
7. Academic transcript of exam marks to date
8. Confirmaton of indemnity insurance for the full period of your elective (very important).
Medical liability insurance can be provided for free by the Medical Protection Society (MPS) in the UK. Forms can be found on the NEO yahoogroups in the UK section of the additional documents file or on their website (www.mps.org.uk) under 'Overseas student membership'. The forms must be filled in and sent to the following address:
Membership Services,
Medical Protection Society,
Granary Wharf House,
Leeds,
LS11 5PY
England
Questions: student@mps.org.uk
Phone: +44(0)8459000022
9. Your home country Criminal Records Check/Evidence (stamped and translated)
After we receive all of the above, we will send you these two forms:
11. St George's Health Questionnaire and full and up to date documentary evidence of immunisation status, including Hepitatis B, Tetanus, Polio, TB, Mumps, Measles, Varicella and Rubella (by post direct to occupational health).
You need to print it out, complete it, put it in an envelope with "(Your name), Elective Society Incoming Student, (Your Country)" written on the front and post it back to:
Occupational Health
St George's, University of London
Cranmer Terrace
London SW17 ORE
12. UK Criminal Records Bureau Check (CRB) form (by post).
This is a government document we will post to you, you need to complete it (following the enclosed instructions carefully), put it in an envelope with "(Your name), Elective Society Incoming Student, (Your Country)" written on the outside and return it by post to
Florence Tawiah
Student Centre
St George's, University of London
Cranmer Terrace
London SW17 ORE
For Non-EU students we will also require in addition to the above:
13. A written statement emailed to us stating that you understand all the UK embassy visa requirements (see "Visas" below) and confirm that you accept them and wish to proceed with the exchange.
Once your application has been processed, you will receive confirmation from us.
14. Then you will need to buy elective health insurance (both EU and non-EU students). This should be specifically for medical students doing electives and should cover you for financial losses incurred if you have to cancel your exchange:
14. Both EU and non-EU students need to email confirmation of their health insurance cover for the whole period of their elective at St George's. Do not buy this until everything is absolutely finalised, but you must buy it and email it to us before you fly.
DO NOT BOOK YOUR FLIGHTS UNTIL THIS WHOLE PROCESS IS FINISHED AND YOU RECEIVE CONFIRMATION FROM US THAT YOUR ELECTIVE IS FINALISED.
All documents must be translated into English.
The UK is a very strict country when it comes to paperwork and it is difficult to have flexibility. Keep up good communications with your exchange partner throughout this process and get it organised well in advance to make sure the whole process runs smoothly!
It may seem like a lot, but we do have had students come and do excellent placements with us and they all say it's worth it!
Visas
EU Students - No Visa is required
Rest of the World - Tier 4 Working Visas are required - it is essential that your documents are emailed to us 4-6 months in advance. Once all documents have been processed, the university will issue students with a "CAS number", which you need to apply for the Tier 4 Visa.
Please note: the application fee for the tier 4 visa last year was £255 (non-refundable if your application is declined) and you were required to submit evidence of financial support during your stay here (last year this was £800 for each calender month).
Please follow the link below for up to date figures and full guidelines: http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/info_sheets/applying_home_country.php#financial_requirements
Please follow this link for details of language certificate requirements: http://www.sgul.ac.uk/international/english-language-requirements
Insurance: Medical Elective Health insurance and indemnity insurance MANDATORY (see above).
Board & Lodging: Free on a bilateral arrangement.
Lodging: Your exchange partner will provide you with accommodation which will typically be close to the hospital and a private room. They may pay for you to stay in St George's Hospital Halls of Residence which are less than 10 mins walk from the hospital. They may choose to give you a spare room in their house, or they may contact you in advance to arrange a direct swap with you, room for room at the same time.
Board: £25 a week pocket money (if the equivalent of one meal/day is reciprocated for the outgoing student in your country). If coming for 4 weeks we will give you £100 when you arrive.
Social Program: No structured social program - but we are always happy to show you around and join in the fun! Our elective society is part of the student's union at the university and there will be people to help you out whenever you need them.
Substitutions: Not generally accepted - unless a long period of notice is given (minimum 4 months).
Cancellations: Please notify the NEO as soon as possible
Feedback & Questions
Please contact leo.stgeorges@gmail.com. We are happy to help!
Other UK Cities offered for exchange
London St. George's (SGUL)