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 insights into a variety of careers.

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.

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

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.

Most placements we host are for individuals applying to medical school, but we have exciting opportunities for everyone.

Check back in early 2027 for more information on our next annual Virtual Careers Event (for 14+), due to take place in Spring.

Current situation

We are thrilled by the amount of interest our local communities have shown in a potential NHS career. We receive thousands of enquiries and usually host around 500 placements annually.

We work according to the academic calendar and are now inviting interest in placements that will take place between 1^st September 2026 until 27^th August 2027. Once capacity is reached, we will close the programme to new requests. It is therefore recommended that you apply as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

Invitations to apply for placements in the 2027-2028 academic year will open in May 2027.

Due to our programme being hugely oversubscribed, the decision has been made to introduce a catchment area. This incorporates the boroughs our hospitals reside in, as well as surrounding districts/boroughs. Please only apply if you live within one of these, Sutton, Epsom and Ewell, Mole Valley, Elmbridge, Kingston Upon Thames, Merton, Croydon, and Reigate and Banstead.

We are currently accepting new requests.

Please contact us using the expression of interest link below. Our team will then follow up with the most appropriate application form according to your interests.

MS FORMS LINK https://forms.office.com/e/ZYR0Rb5NUa

Complete the Expression of Interest form.
Please wait approximately 2 weeks for a response (it may take longer depending on the number of applicants).
You will then receive a new application form to complete and return to our team.
Once you have submitted the completed application form, please allow a minimum of 3 weeks for processing.
Offers will be made according to availability and on a first come first served basis.
Please note that completing the Expression of Interest form does not mean you have secured a place. An offer is only made after the full application process has been completed and reviewed.

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.