Work experience

While working in accordance with NHS England’s Widening Participation and Talent for Care strategies, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, is delighted to be able to support anyone who has the potential to flourish in the NHS, by offering an insight into a variety of the many careers available.

We have a long established work experience programme that is primarily aimed at students in school years 11-13; however you are very welcome to get in touch if you are considering a career change later in life.

All clinical placements are purely observational (no hands-on tasks) and are fully supervised.

Placements run for 5 days, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays). No weekend exposure is permitted.

Please be aware that students must be at least 16 years of age to take part and that further age restrictions are imposed on certain departments.

The majority of placements we host are for those looking to apply to medical school, but If you aren’t an aspiring medic; we have exciting opportunities for everyone. There are hundreds of roles in the NHS.

Current situation

We are really excited by the amount of interest our local communities have shown in a potential NHS career. We have received thousands of enquiries and are delighted to have been able to organise over 500 work experience students this academic year.
This means that we have now filled all available places up until the end of August 2026.

Dates for placements in the 2026-2027 academic year will be open to new applications once we are able to confirm availability. We anticipate that this will be at the end of May 2026.

Please do check back for any updates on the face-to-face programme.

In the meantime, please have a look to the virtual insight below. 

Virtual insight

We are delighted to announce the dates for our 2026 virtual insight into NHS careers.  
The exact schedule is still being finalised, but we have a plan to deliver multiple sessions over three days in the spring school holidays: 7th – 9th April 2026.

This is a programme for anyone aged 14 years and above who may be looking for more information on potential NHS careers. Attendees will be able to hear more about various professions and ask questions to those already in the role. 

Last year there were 19 speakers from different disciplines, including medicine, nursing, therapies, pharmacy and volunteering to name but a few. This year will be similar with some of last year’s favourites along with some new specialties too.

We would love to see as many of you there are possible!

Please follow the link below to our registration form. Once plans are finalised, you will be sent a schedule and the links to join the most appropriate session/s.  

Virtual Insight into NHS Careers Event Registration 7th - 9th April 2026 – Fill out form

The deadline to apply is 23:59 on Tuesday 31st March 2026

Sadly, any submissions received after this time cannot be included in plans for the April session. Please check back for future opportunities.

 

Useful links for students

· Step into the NHS (opens in a new window)

Student friendly advice and guidance on the 350 different roles within the NHS with interactive quizzes, real-life stories and videos aimed at students taking their first steps in a career in the NHS

· NHS health careers (opens in a new window)

Informative guidance about planning a career in the NHS

· Medical Schools Council (opens in a new window)

Click here for guidance from MSC on work experience before applying to Medical School.