Visiting Students
The University of Alberta has many elective and exchange opportunities for visiting students from other Canadian medical schools and international schools.
On This Page
For information about elective options, criteria, deadlines, application processes and required documents, visit the AFMC Student Portal .
Application Process
Before applying, please read the following instructions carefully. All elective applications for visiting students must be arranged through the AFMC Student Portal .
Immunization Forms
Visiting students must use the AFMC Student Portal Immunization & Testing Form to document their immunization records and submit them along with their application through the portal. If it is incomplete at the time of submission, it will be flagged for further follow-up. This will not delay processing, however, all immunizations must be completed within 30 days of being notified that the application is incomplete. It is the student's' responsibility to ensure that immunization records meet the specific requirements for the school(s) they are applying to before they apply.
Electives
If you're a medical student from a Canadian university, you can apply for electives at the U of A through the AFMC Student Portal.
Within the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry (FoMD), you'll find 20 departments, seven divisions, 13 research groups, 27 centres and institutes and 8 national networks of Centres of Excellence.
Elective Requests
The U of A's Visiting Students Electives program offers more than 100 elective opportunities to students enrolled in Canadian medical schools.
If you're an undergraduate medical student from a Canadian university, you can apply for electives at the U of A through the AFMC Student Portal . All the details you need about criteria, deadlines, application processes and required documents can be found there.
Regarding pediatric subspecialty electives: If you're in Year 3 or 4 at another Canadian medical school, you're eligible for clinical electives within pediatric subspecialties. Some subspecialties may require you to have completed your core pediatric rotation beforehand.
For visiting medical students, access to systems like Netcare and ConnectCare is automatically set up after the elective is confirmed. You will receive an email directly from Alberta Health Services (AHS) with information about access and training.
Elective Opportunities
As a student enrolled in a Canadian medical school, you have access to more than 100 elective opportunities through the U of A's Visiting Students Electives program. These electives cover various areas, including basic science, clinical specialties and medically related sciences. For more details and to submit a request for an elective, visit the AFMC Student Portal .
Cancelling an Elective
Visiting electives cannot be cancelled without approval from the receiving schools'
Elective Director or equivalent. Visiting electives must be cancelled 12 weeks before the
elective. When approval is granted, the student may be directed to cancel the elective in
the AFMC Portal. The Electives Administrator in the MD Program must be notified when
canceling a visiting elective.
Students who want to cancel a visiting elective must notify:
● the contact person through whom they booked the elective
● the preceptor, if they have been provided with their contact information
● University of Alberta MD Program office (within two working days of canceling)
Changing an Elective
We do not accept elective changes for any reason.
Elective Length
An elective period can be arranged for two to four weeks in length, depending on individual departments and their availability.
Elective Requirements
If you're a visiting Canadian or American medical student applying for electives, you must have completed the basic sciences (pre-clinical) part of your curriculum and be in the clinical (clerkship) years at a CACMS- or LCME-accredited medical school.
International Federation of Medical Students Association (IFMSA)
If you're an exchange student wanting to complete an elective at a Canadian university, contact the local exchange officer (LEO) through the Canadian Federation of Medical Students (CFMS) Exchange program with the U of A at leosr.alberta@gmail.com or leojr.alberta@gmail.com.
Netcare + ConnectCare Access
After you apply through the AFMC Student Portal and your elective is confirmed, you will receive an email from the UME office with further information. The MD Program will set up your NetCare and Connect Care automatically, and you will receive emails directly from AHS to set up your access and training. Failure to follow AHS's process will result in no patient contact during your elective and your preceptor being notified.
Health + Safety Procedures
Your physical safety is important to us. In the event of exposure to human blood or bodily fluid, any other non-blood borne infectious risk or any other injuries that occur while on your elective, please follow the procedures below.
Human Blood + Bodily Fluid Exposure
Visiting students must follow the U of A’s Medical Student Exposure to Infectious and Environmental Hazards Procedure. In the event of human blood/body fluid exposure or any injuries while on elective, follow the algorithm in the procedure document.
Reporting Any Exposure, Injury or Other Hazardous Incident
All injuries, incidents, and exposures that occur during your learning experience must be reported to the MD Program office within 48 hours. You can report them by visiting the Health, Safety + Environment page and completing the steps below.
- Complete the University of Alberta Incident Report form online.
- Complete the Alberta WCB Worker’s Report of Injury.
Note: Visiting medical students must submit both forms within 48 hours to the MD Program office via email at UME.HBBFE@ualberta.ca.
For additional help or further information, please contact the MD Program at 780-492-6350.
Additional Information
Curious about what the U of A campus looks like? Take a Virtual Campus Tour before you arrive.
If you require a pager, please go to the MD Program Office (Katz 1-002, North Campus) before the start of your elective. Our office is open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
To learn more about the U of A's mistreatment and professionalism policies, including the processes for reporting mistreatment, visit the Office of Professionalism.
- Clinical jackets and stethoscopes
- Financing for an elective experience
- Parking permits are not granted to visiting students, however, there is ample pay parking available on campus and at various elective sites.
- Personal health coverage
- Travel arrangements and accommodations
Additional Information
Elective Opportunities
As a student enrolled in a Canadian medical school, you have access to more than 100 elective opportunities through the U of A's Visiting Students Electives program. These electives cover various areas, including basic science, clinical specialties and medically related sciences. For more details and to submit a request for an elective, visit the AFMC Student Portal.
Campus Tour
Curious about what the U of A campus looks like? Take a Virtual Campus Tour before you arrive.
Cancelling an Elective
If you cancel an elective less than six weeks before its start date, you may receive a letter of unprofessionalism sent to your home medical school. We will then cancel the elective with the department and site, and you'll also be unregistered with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta. Application fees will not be refunded.
Note: If an elective is canceled more than six weeks before the elective start date, we will cancel the elective with the department and the site. You will also be unregistered with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta. Application fees will not be refunded.
Changing an Elective
We do not accept elective changes for any reason. If you wish to change an elective, you must cancel your current application and submit a new one, along with the required fee, through the AFMC Student Portal.
Clinical Jackets + Stethoscopes
Clinical jackets and stethoscopes are your responsibility as a visiting student.
Criminal Record Check
A criminal record check is required for all visiting students.
Elective Length
An elective period can be arranged for one to four weeks in length, depending on individual departments and their availability.
Elective Requirements
If you're a visiting Canadian or American medical student applying for electives, you must have completed the basic sciences (pre-clinical) part of your curriculum and be in the clinical (clerkship) years at a CACMS- or LCME-accredited medical school.
Financing
Financing for an elective experience is your responsibility as a visiting student.
Fitness Centre + Library Borrowing Privileges
Fitness centre and library borrowing privileges are not available for visiting students.
Health + Safety Procedures
Your physical safety is important to us. In the event of exposure to human blood or bodily fluid, any other non-blood borne infectious risk or any other injuries that occur while on your elective, please follow the procedures below.
Human Blood + Bodily Fluid Exposure
Visiting students must follow the U of A’s Human Blood & Bodily Fluid Exposure protocols. In the event of human blood/body fluid exposure or any injuries while on elective, follow the steps below.
Blood or bodily fluid exposure:
- Remove contaminated gloves, clothes, etc.
- For sharps injuries, allow the wound to bleed freely for one to two minutes — do not squeeze. Wash the area with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub and cover with a dressing.
- For mucous membranes (e.g. eyes, nose, mouth) and non-intact skin, flush with large amounts of water for 10-15 minutes.
- Report the incident to the Charge Nurse and your preceptor immediately to complete a Source Risk Assessment and obtain first aid.
- Follow faculty-specific reporting protocol. If you are at:
- An Alberta Health Services (AHS) facility, call 1-855-450-3619
- A Covenant Health Facility, call 1-855-342-8070
Reporting Any Exposure, Injury or Other Hazardous Incident
All injuries and Human Blood & Bodily Fluid Exposure (HBBFE) incidents (including those related to COVID-19, environmental hazards or other non-blood-borne infectious risks) that occur during your learning experience must be reported to the MD Program office within 48 hours. You can report them by visiting the Health, Safety + Environment site and completing the steps below.
- Complete the University of Alberta Incident Report form online.
- Complete the Alberta WCB Worker’s Report of Injury.
Note: Visiting medical students must submit both forms within 48 hours to the MD Program office via email at UME.HBBFE@ualberta.ca.
For additional help or further information, please contact the MD Program at 780-492-6350.
Immunization Forms
Visiting students must use the AFMC Student Portal Immunization & Testing Form to document their immunization records and submit them along with their application through the portal. If it is incomplete at the time of submission, it will be flagged for further follow-up. This will not delay processing, however, all immunizations must be completed within 30 days of being notified that the application is incomplete.
Netcare + ConnectCare Access
After you apply through the AFMC Student Portal and your elective is confirmed, you will receive a confirmation email automatically generated from the AFMC Student Portal. This email will contain further instructions, including how to request access and the online training link for Netcare and ConnectCare. You must request access to Netcare and ConnectCare no later than six weeks before the elective start date. Failure to do so before the deadline will result in no access being granted. Access arrangements are handled by the MD Program office.
Pagers
If you require a pager, please go to the MD Program Office (Katz 1-002, North Campus) before the start of your elective. Our office is open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Parking
It is your responsibility to pay for parking during your elective. Parking permits are not granted to visiting students, however, there is ample pay parking available on campus and at various elective sites.
Personal Health Coverage
Personal health coverage is your responsibility as a visiting student.
Office of Professionalism
To learn more about the U of A's mistreatment and professionalism policies, including the processes for reporting mistreatment, visit the Office of Professionalism.
Travel
Travel arrangements are your responsibility as a visiting student.