Application Procedure

For the most up-to-date information about visiting electives opportunities at the University of Alberta, please check the AFMC Student Portal.

Application Process

All elective applications must be arranged through the AFMC Student Portal and will only be accepted from 26 weeks to 10 weeks prior to the start date of the requested elective. All requested dates within an application MUST be within 26 weeks to 10 weeks of the start date, including any alternative dates. If a student requests dates beyond this time frame, they will be disregarded and the student must wait and re-apply once the 28 week window opens.

  1. Complete the following items and upload to the portal:
  2. The Undergraduate Medical Education Office (UME) will ensure the application and immunization documentation is complete. If there is missing or insufficient documentation, the applicant will be contacted by the UME Office via the portal to request further documentation. Applications will continue to be processed and requests sent to the appropriate department, however students are required to submit all documentation within 30 days of being notified that their application is incomplete.

  3. Requests for the elective will be sent via the portal to the appropriate department. Students should not contact the department to arrange the elective. However, students who would like a Rural Medicine elective, must find their own preceptor and supply the name to UME in the section titled "Student Comments on Elective" within the portal, with a minimum of eight (8) weeks notice prior to the start date. UME will confirm availability of the elective with the Department of Family Medicine.

  4. If the first requested elective is not available, UME will move down the list of choices provided by the student. If none of the requested electives can be placed, the application will be cancelled and the full application fee will be refunded.

  5. A formal confirmation email is sent via the AFMC portal to the student and will include further Netcare and ConnectCare access instructions, as well as information about the University of Alberta’s Human Blood & Bodily Fluid Exposure Procedure.

  6. Visiting students are responsible for contacting the department of their confirmed elective for details about their elective experience. The confirmation email includes the name and email of the placement contact who can provide details about schedules, site, preceptor, and any other information about the elective. If the confirmation email does not contain this information, please log into the portal to find the confirmed elective opportunity and the placement contact information can be located under the "Contact" section.

  7. The UME Office is responsible for registering all visiting students with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA). If the student cancels, CPSA registration will be cancelled by the UME Office. UME will notify the department.

  8. If the student cancels an elective within six weeks of the start date because they have changed their mind about doing the elective, or if they provide forged documents or are disrespectful to the UME Office staff, a letter describing the unprofessional behaviour will be sent to the student’s home medical school by the University of Alberta’s coordinator, electives & selectives.

  9. The student is responsible for bringing an elective assessment form from their home school and ensuring that it is completed by their preceptor.