International Partner Sites

All self-organized international NPSE’s must be approved by both the UME Office and the Schulich Internationalization Office. Students who are not enrolled in MED5010 or MED5040 during their time away are not protected by Western University’s general and professional liability insurance. 


Schulich’s international partners typically offer rotations/observerships for Year 1 & Year 2 students, and clinical placements for Y4 students. These experiences are four weeks in length and the Schulich Internationalization Office will work to place successful applicants within one of their top three clinical areas of study, however this is not guaranteed. If you wish to go for a shorter or longer timeframe, please contact the Internationalization Office prior to submitting your application, as date requests will need additional approvals.

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International Partner Sites

Africa

Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC), Kampala, Uganda

The Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC) is widely regarded as one of Uganda's most influential health research and clinical institutions, particularly for its contributions to HIV/AIDS treatment, infectious disease research, and health system strengthening. It was established in the early 1990s through a partnership involving Uganda's Ministry of Health, Ministry of Defence, and Makerere University's health sciences community in response to the country's severe HIV epidemic.

What makes JCRC particularly noteworthy is that it combines clinical care, laboratory services, training, and research under one organization. Over the years, it has conducted hundreds of clinical studies and played a leading role in antiretroviral therapy rollout, HIV vaccine research, tuberculosis research, and more recently work in gene therapy, stem cell therapy, and bone marrow transplantation.

The JCRC:

  • Has a long track record of collaboration with universities, governments, NGOs, and research funders.
  • Operates accredited laboratories and research infrastructure capable of supporting high-quality clinical studies.
  • Provides opportunities for capacity building, trainee placements, and collaborative research in infectious diseases, public health, and emerging biomedical fields.
  • Has expanded its focus beyond HIV to include sickle cell disease, non-communicable diseases, outbreak response, and advanced therapies.

The JCRC is a premier African clinical research institution with strong credibility, significant research capacity, and a demonstrated ability to translate research into public health impact. It is the type of organization that can support meaningful student electives, faculty collaborations, research partnerships, and global health education initiatives.

Learners who visit the JCRC will participate in clinical rotations, cycling through the different clinics that serve the local population. Rural opportunities are available, via JCRC clinics located in Masaka and Mbrara.

Asia

VinUniversity, Hanoi, Vietnam

VinUniversity (VinUni) is a leading private university in Hanoi, Vietnam, dedicated to excellence in education, research, and innovation. Through strategic collaborations with leading global institutions, including the University of Pennsylvania and Cornell University, VinUni has developed internationally aligned programs in health sciences and medicine. Schulich's partnership with VinUni provides students and faculty with opportunities for clinical learning, research collaboration, and engagement with Vietnam's evolving healthcare system, fostering cross-cultural understanding and a global perspective on healthcare. Pre-clinical or clinical rotations are available at a number of different departments, please reach out to the Internationalization Office (EMAIL LINK) to find out more.

VinUniversity also offers an annual Research Internship Program. This program facilitates 3 students to undertake a research internship. To find out more and to see what research projects are available please review the following booklet: VinUni Research Internship Opportunities.

VinUni:

  • Operates modern teaching, simulation, research, and clinical training facilities designed to international standards, including resources that support health sciences education and interdisciplinary research.
  • Benefits from integration within the broader Vingroup ecosystem, connecting students and researchers with leading healthcare, technology, artificial intelligence, biomedical, and industry partners throughout Vietnam.
  • Provides opportunities for incoming students to learn via pre-clinical or clinical electives. Staff are engaged and supportive, working with Schulich learners to learn well in a different environment.

 

The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen (CUHK-SZ), Shenzhen, China

The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen (CUHK-Shenzhen) is one of China's leading international universities and is widely recognized for combining the academic traditions of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) with the innovation ecosystem of Shenzhen, one of Asia's fastest-growing technology and research hubs.

Students visiting the CUHK-SZ campus will not only receive clinical experience but will also have the opportunity to visit medical innovation companies, research & development centres, and speak with medical technology entrepreneurs. CUHK-SZ owns two affiliated hospitals and eight clinical teaching bases. CUHK-Shenzhen Medical Centre is the newest hospital and will be opened in 2027 (https://med.cuhk.edu.cn/en/page/24).

CUHK-SZ:

  • Has rapidly developed a reputation for excellence in medicine, building on close relationships with industry, government, and healthcare partners throughout southern China and Hong Kong.
  • Is strategically positioned within Shenzhen, a progressive city with a strong focus on technology, entrepreneurship, biotechnology and innovation.
  • Offers learners a glimpse into innovative medical technology companies and how they work directly with academic researchers to provide the best outcomes for patients.

 

CUHK-SZ is only open to 4th year Schulich students during the clinical elective portion of Transition to MD. There is an additional charge of roughly $1,000 to visit CUHK-SZ (paid directly to the university itself). This fee covers hospital facility access for students.

Europe

Medical University of Graz (MUG), Graz, Austria

Med Uni Graz is one of the best “young” universities worldwide, and regularly welcomes international learners from all different countries for innovative experiential learning opportunities. Today, Med Uni Graz is home to more than 5,000 students and over 2,500 staff and is a major contributor to healthcare, research and medical innovation in Austrian and Europe.

Schulich students can participate in summer programs focusing on either Pediatrics or Cardiology. These programs are provided fully in English with an equal balance of rotations and lectures. Learnings will have the opportunity to analyze case studies, become acquainted with the Austrian healthcare system, and learn about the cutting-edge research currently being completed at Med Uni Graz.

The Pediatric and Cardiology Summer Schools offer a unique blench of clinical rotations and expert-led lectures designed to enhance the practical skills and academic knowledge of all participants.

  • Summer Short Schools (Updated annually)
    • Pediatric Summer School: taught in English, held annually in July. Mixture of rotations and lectures.
    • Cardiology Summer School: taught in English, held annually in August. Mixture of rotations and lectures.

 

Med Uni Graz:

  • Partners with the University Hospital Graz, one of the largest academic hospitals in Central Europe, providing learners and researchers with access to extensive clinical resources and patient populations.
  • Supports cutting-edge biomedical research through modern infrastructure, including the Center for Medical Research and numerous specialized laboratories and research centers.
  • Maintains extensive international collaborations and research networks that support student mobility, faculty exchange, and multinational research initiatives.

 

Med Uni Graz accepts international students from over 40 countries, resulting in a truly international experience for Schulich learners who visit.

 

Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland, Dublin

RCSI is one of Ireland’s oldest and most internationally recognized health sciences institutions. It was founded as the national training body for surgery in Ireland and has been at the forefront of healthcare education and research since 1784. Ireland’s largest medical school, and located in the bustling city of Dublin, RCSI is an innovative, world-leading international health sciences university and the professional training body for surgery in Ireland.

RCSI is currently only open for Y4 students to complete clinical electives, please review the specialities available via the PDF document linked below. In addition to the specialities listed, electives can also be arranged in Neurology and Neurosurgery. Your elective is likely to take place in Beaumont Hospital, which is the largest academic teaching hospital in the RCSI Hospitals Group.

Please note at least six specialties in applications for RCSI.

RCSI:

  • Has a distinguished history of healthcare education dating back more than 240 years and remains the national training body for surgery in Ireland
  • Maintains strong research programs that span basic science, clinical research, surgical innovation, population health and translational medicine, with a commitment to improving human health worldwide.
  • Supports extensive international collaborations and has a highly diverse student body, attracting learners from many countries and hosting a global network of alumni and researchers.

 

RCSI’s research strategy is focused on translating discoveries into improved patient care and health outcomes, with a strong emphasis on clinical and applied research. Schulich learners who visit will have the opportunity to see this work within the clinical setting.

 

Humanitas University, Milan, Italy

Humanitas University (Hunimed) is one of Europe's leading emerging medical universities and is widely recognized for its innovative approach to healthcare education, research, and clinical training. Established in 2014 near Milan, Italy, Humanitas University was founded as a private international university dedicated to medicine, biomedical sciences, and the health professions. Its campus is fully integrated with the renowned Humanitas Research Hospital, creating a unique environment where education, research, and patient care are closely interconnected.

Schulich learners visiting Humanitas will participate in pre-clinical rotations and observerships, which are available in a number of departments. Not all departments are available, outgoing Schulich learners must be flexible and align with departmental availability. Research opportunities are available, but only in a full-time capacity as it is not possible to balance out pre-clinical electives and research work.

Humanitas University:

  • Provides access to state-of-the-art research facilities, anatomy laboratories, and one of Europe's most advanced healthcare simulation centres.
  • Maintains a strong emphasis on active learning, small-group teaching, simulation-based education, and early clinical exposure.
  • Integrates education, clinical care, and research through its close partnership with Humanitas Research Hospital, one of Italy's leading academic and research hospitals.

Learners who visit Humanitas will have the opportunity to learn about healthcare in Italy at a state-of-the-art institution built around the concept of training healthcare professionals through the integration of clinical practice, research and education. This approach allows learners to develop strong clinical skills while also gaining exposure to scientific inquiry, innovation and evidence-based medicine.

 

University of Manchester Summer Program, Manchester, United Kingdom

The University of Manchester is one of the United Kingdom's largest and most research-intensive universities, with a long-standing international reputation in medicine, biomedical sciences, and healthcare education. Manchester Medical School, founded in 1874, is among the largest medical schools in the UK and is a major contributor to the training of healthcare professionals for the National Health Service (NHS). The university is consistently recognized internationally for its research excellence, global outlook, and commitment to social responsibility.

The Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health offers the Medicine International Summer School, a three-week academic program designed primarily for medical students preparing to enter their clinical years of study. At the Medical International Summer School, students will learn to develop research, communication and clinical skills. The summer program in medicine is a fee-paying opportunity. Airport transfers, accommodation, and two social day trips (one to York and one to the Lake District) are included in the fee.

The Medical International Summer School:

  • Is taught by experienced medical educators, clinicians and researchers within the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health
  • Helps learners develop skills in clinical reasoning, scientific communication, academic writing, presentation, and professional reflection that are transferrable to future clinical practice.
  • Provides a structured three-week program (not a clinical placement), focused on the physician as researcher, communicator and clinician, combining lectures, workshops, case discussions and small-group learning.

 Learners will gain insight into the British medical education and healthcare system, learning more about evidence-based practice and the diverse role that physicians play in healthcare, research and society.

 

Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen and Hvidovre Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark

Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen (SDCC) and Hvidovre Hospital are among Denmark's most important clinical, academic, and research institutions. Together, they offer a unique environment for learning and collaboration that combines world-leading diabetes care and research with one of Denmark's largest teaching hospitals. Both organizations are part of the Capital Region of Denmark's healthcare system and have strong affiliations with the University of Copenhagen and international research networks.

Learners visiting Steno and Hvidovre are hosted by a faculty member from the University of Copenhagen and the Karolinska Institutet who works across all four organizations. Learners will have the opportunity to participate in observerships at Hvidovre Hospital (by individual request) and research being undertaken within Steno Diabetes Centre, with a particular focus on aging. Learners who are interested are advised to reach out to the Schulich Internationalization Office (HYPERLINK TO EMAIL) to find out more about the current work and projects.   

Steno Diabetes Centre:

  • Has gained international recognition for its innovative approach to value-based healthcare and person-centred diabetes care.
  • Highlighted by the World Economic Forum as a global model for improving outcomes in chronic disease management

Hvidovre Hospital:

  • Holds patient interaction as of highest importance, with a firm commitment to provide all required support and pay special attention to reducing health inequalities
  • Is one of Denmark’s largest teaching hospitals, admitting more than 40,000 patients annually and housing 35 clinical departments.

Learners who visit Steno Diabetes Centre and Hvidovre Hospital will not only learn directly within the Danish medical system, but will also work with clinicians and clinician-scientists to see how research directly impacts patient care.  

Summer Schools

In addition to the specific curated opportunities listed above, students are also permitted to apply for external International Summer Schools - particularly at Radboud University (lwhich offers a wide range of health-focused courses. Information about all partner Summer Schools is updated annually in January.

To participate in an external summer school, please submit an application for an Independently-Organized Placement. Applications must be received at least 90 days before your intended departure date.