International Schools

Thank you for your interest in the Electives Program, at the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario.

Our program can accommodate a maximum of two students per school (enrolled in an accredited International Medical School) in a calendar year, for a period of no more than 8 weeks. Applicants must be in their FINAL year of medical school at the time of the elective.

Health Documentation must be in English signed by a physician or school nurse.

Click here to review International Medical Schools that have already reached their application quotas for 2010 and 2011.

PLEASE NOTE: We will only process COMPLETE APPLICATIONS (application, health documentation and application fee in certified cheque or money order) received by Post/Courier no later than six months to the start of the proposed elective. FAXED OR ELECTRONIC VERSIONS NOT ACCEPTED - NO EXCEPTIONS.


Late and Incomplete Applications will be Returned.

Download Application

  • All placements must be made through the Electives Office to ensure registration at McMaster University and students are asked not to contact potential supervisors directly.
  • Applications must be received at least SIX MONTHS and no more than 11 months before the start of the proposed elective. No exceptions.
  • Applications must be accompanied by a $450.00 (Canadian funds) application fee in the form of a certified cheque or money order and made payable to McMaster University.
  • Submission of elective application does not guarantee a placement.
  • Application fees will be returned if a placement cannot be found.
  • Electives that are cancelled by the student are non-refundable. Scheduled electives cannot be changed without reapplying.

  • Applications will not be processed unless the required health form is current within the academic year, completed and signed by a health care professional and the application fee is enclosed.

  • We do not offer an Electives Catalogue, however, offer most specialities to visiting elective students, dependent upon faculty availability. There is limited availability for elective placements in June, July and August.

    Current limitations:
  • ANESTHESIA - NO anesthesia electives available during the months of June, July, and August and are for a maximum of two weeks only.
  • EMERGENCY MEDICINE - Pre-requisite: MUST HAVE COMPLETED A CORE ER ROTATION. Electives are arranged for a minimum of 14 days.
  • FAMILY MEDICINE - limited to two week elective placements. Applications must be received a least six months prior to the start of the requested elective placement.
  • SURGERY - NO surgery (including all subspecialties within surgery) electives available in March, July, and August. All surgery electives are for a maximum of two weeks.
  • Applicants must be fluent in English with a computer score on the TOEFL of at least 237 or a letter from their medical school indicating proficiency in English.
  • The Elective Program is entirely educational and no salary is paid.
  • If an elective study period can be arranged for you, a confirmation email will be sent out by our office.

  • All visiting students must have acceptable evidence of malpractice liability insurance coverage (not personal or travel insurance coverage) in the form of a document issued and signed by the insurance company at the request of its insured, usually called a certificate of insurance. After an elective placement is secured/confirmed for you, proof of coverage will be required prior to your confirmation package being sent to you.

    The insurance document must be in English and include the following:

    • Name and address of student
    • Description & duration of the elective that is covered
    • Information on where the student is registered
    • Coverage provided must include medical malpractice
    • Limit of liability of at least $1 million CAD (Canadian funds)

    We do not offer or provide this coverage at McMaster University. Please speak to your school about obtaining malpractice liability insurance coverage.

    The Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine reserves the right to accept or reject coverage from non-Canadian insurers at its sole discretion

    CANCELLATION POLICY:
  • It is deemed unprofessional for a medical student to cancel his/her elective placement after the offer of elective placement has been confirmed by the medical student. McMaster will notify the medical student's school of any unprofessional behaviour.


    FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WEBSITE LINK FOR ENTRY INTO CANADA:

    http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/index.asp



    INFORMATION ABOUT THE H1N1 FLU:
  • http://www.mcmaster.ca/opr/h1n1_flu/
  • http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/updates/archives/hu_09/provider/default.html


Any further correspondence should be directed to mdelect@mcmaster.ca