Medical Elective (Internship) Programs

Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (SUMS) is pleased to offer a multitude of medical elective programs to students from across the world. SUMS Medical Electives represent a unique opportunity for medical students, allowing them to experience healthcare in a setting unfamiliar to that in which they are accustomed to studying, and also provides the opportunity for medical students to develop their skills by observing and participating in a healthcare delivery system overseas.

Shiraz is a vibrant and stimulating city to study and live in. We welcome elective medical students from overseas universities. To take part in the Elective program you must be a medical student. We don't accept doctors who have already been graduated; they would rather apply for graduate programs such as Specialty, Subspecialty, or Fellowship. This is a great opportunity to come and learn alongside shiraz medical students and enjoy the academic and social opportunities that SUMS offer.

The Medical Elective Program is organized by the Vice Chancellery for Global Strategies and International Affairs (GSIA) at SUMS and placements are available in our teaching Hospitals such as Nemazee, Shahid Faghihi or Shahid Chamran Hospitals, in which we ensure that students acquire the essential knowledge, clinical skills and attitudes to become and remain competent and caring doctors. The table below supplies some significant information on SUMS Medical Elective Programs:

*SUMS Call for application to Medical elective programs is open all year round. However, candidates are encouraged to apply at least 6 to 8 months prior to the commencement of the program in order to avoid late visa issues.

**Please note that SUMS might supply medical elective candidates with furnished dormitory provided that vacancies are available at SUMS residence halls. Visiting students will be offered accommodation after they have paid the determined fee. 

Why choose to do your Medical Elective abroad?

Undertaking a Medical Elective abroad will expose you to techniques and illnesses that are rarely seen in your home country. Your medical elective can be one of the most rewarding parts of your undergraduate medical education. Working in an unconventional environment will also push you to become more innovative and make you seek creative solutions to medical problems. During your elective period, due to the high number of patients and cases, you will encounter a range of medical conditions seldom seen in your home country. These cases may seem more complicated to you since you might not be accustomed to them or have not experienced them before. You will get the chance to learn alongside skilled local professionals, who will share their knowledge and teach you about the healthcare issues of your host country. While abroad, you will also have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture, and experience life in a whole different setting.

List of SUMS Clinical Departments

In the following you can find SUMS clinical departments in which you can undertake your Medical Elective placements:

• Department of Anesthesiology
• Department of Cardiology
• Department of Community Medicine
• Department of Dermatology
• Department of Emergency Medicine
• Department of ENT
• Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics 
• Department of Internal Medicine
• Department of Neurology
• Department of Neurosurgery
• Department of Nuclear Medicine
• Department of Ophthalmology
• Department of Orthopedics
• Department of Pathology
• Department of Pediatrics
• Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
• Department of Psychiatry
• Department of Radiology
• Department of Radiotherapy
• Department of Surgery
• Department of Urology

Eligibility Criteria

In order to be eligible to apply for SUMS Medical Elective Programs, the applicant must satisfy the conditions below:

• The candidate must be a medical student. Students of majors other than medicine are excluded.
• The candidate should not be a graduate.
• The candidate must be in their final or penultimate year of study of their medical degree, as students are expected to have done some clinical training before they can undertake an elective at SUMS.
• The candidate must be enrolled at a non-Iranian University, be an international student studying in an Iranian university, or be an Iranian student studying abroad. 

Program Requirements

The online application will prompt you to upload a scanned version of the following documents. Make sure to prepare them ahead of submitting your application.

• A photograph
• The copy of the main pages of the passport
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)/ Résumé
• Transcript of the records/Marksheets
• English proficiency certificate
• Medical Elective Application Form (The applicant should fill in the Medical Elective Application Form and get it signed and stamped by the institution at which they are studying)

Language Requirements

The applicants must fulfill one of the following language proficiency requirements:

• TOEFL: minimum score of 69 iBT; 525 PBT
• IELTS: minimum band score of 5.5
• Other evidence showing that the applicant has English proficiency at least equivalent to requirements I or II above.

However, an applicant who is a native speaker of English or who has received their education in a university program in which English was the primary language of instruction is exempted from this requirement. Those candidates who know Persian are exceptions. 

Accepting an Offer

Offers of elective opportunities will be held open for 8 weeks. If we receive no confirmation of acceptance from the applicant within that time, his/her name will be removed from the files and the place will be offered to another student. It is important therefore that applicants confirm acceptance as soon as possible through email.

Cancellation of An Elective Attachment

If at any time an applicant wishes to withdraw an application or cancel an offer of attachment, this should be done IMMEDIATELY, via email at elective@sums.ac.ir.

Visa Application

Upon receipt of your admission, you are requested to submit the following items to SUMS via e-mail, so that your visa application procedure can commence:

• Passport size photo
• A scanned copy of the data pages of your passport
• Completed visa application form

Visa process can take at least between 6-8 weeks to complete. Each successful application is assigned a Visa Reference Number/Authorization Code by the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran. You will need the reference number/authorization code along with your original passport to collect your visa. Once we receive the reference number/ authorization code, we will forward it to you via email. Then, you should schedule an appointment with the Iranian embassy or consulate in your country that you have already determined on your application form. Carry the obtained visa reference number/ authorization code together with your passport to the relevant embassy or consulate to collect your visa. For further information, see here.

Application

See below for the link to apply through our electronic process. All visiting students must complete the online application. Remember also to fill in the application form prior to application and submit it along with other requested documents.

Click here to apply for SUMS Medical Elective programs:

To apply to other SUMS Elective programs please check the links below:

Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Elective (Internship) Program

Specialty and Subspecialty (Residency) Elective