Christian Medical College (CMC) Vellore welcomes overseas students for elective placements of up to three months. Places are limited and highly competitive — but for those who secure them, the experience is unforgettable.
Grants from Friends of Vellore UK
Friends of Vellore UK offers up to five individual grants of £500 each year to students who:
- Secure an elective at CMC Vellore, and
- Report back to the charity on completion of their placement.
If you are successful in arranging an elective, let us know — we’d love to support you and hear about your experience.
Applying for an Elective
CMC currently accepts only five medical elective students per year, so places are in high demand.
To apply, contact the relevant office directly:
- Medical Electives: princi.elective@cmcvellore.ac.in
- Allied Health Electives: princi.ahs@cmcvellore.ac.in
- Nursing Electives: deancon@cmcvellore.ac.in
For full details, please also visit the CMC Electives page (link opens in a new tab). Nurses may find the information on this page helpful.
Permissions & Requirements
- Official permission may be required from the Medical Council of India and the Ministry of Health, Government of India.
- Application forms are available from the Principals’ office.
- Approval can take 4–6 months, so apply well in advance.
- Once dates are confirmed, they cannot be changed without further approval.
If permission is not granted in time, students may still attend as ‘visitor student observers’ (up to four weeks, extendable by two weeks in a nearby mission hospital). Observer placements do not provide official certification.
What to Expect on Placement
Elective students may:
- Join ward rounds, clinics, lectures, demonstrations and seminars.
- Observe in departments such as Community Health and Development (CHAD) and Rural Unit for Health and Social Affairs (RUHSA), with opportunities to see primary health care in rural settings.
Students will not take part in direct patient care.
Practical Information
- Climate: April–August is very hot in Vellore.
- Accommodation: August can be particularly busy due to alumni reunions — book early.
- Download CMC’s Volunteer & Visitor Guide for more details.
Student Stories
👉 Read Clara’s account of her medical elective at CMC (originally published in our Spring 2017 newsletter).
Stay Connected
If you arrange an elective at CMC, please also contact the Friends of Vellore UK office to:
- Apply for a £500 grant
- Share your story
- Connect with other UK healthcare professionals/students
We look forward to hearing from you!
Friends of Vellore UK 