The OxPal Exeter-Palestine Medical Elective Scholarship

About the Scholarship

The OxPal Exeter–Palestine Medical Elective Scholarship is offered in partnership with Exeter College, University of Oxford, to support a Palestinian medical student from Gaza or the West Bank to undertake a clinical elective at the University of Oxford.

The scholarship aims to reduce the financial barriers to international clinical training, enabling a Palestinian medical student to gain valuable clinical experience at the Oxford University Hospitals, develop their medical knowledge and skills, and bring their learning back to their community.

One scholarship is available each year, providing financial assistance and collegiate support throughout the recipient’s elective.

What does the scholarship cover?

For the July–August 2027 elective period, the scholarship provides support towards the following expenses:

  • Accommodation: A room provided by Exeter College for the duration of the elective, expected to be at Exeter House, near the Oxford University Hospitals. Electives typically last between four and ten weeks.
  • Travel: Funding for one return flight, estimated at £300–£575.
  • Application and visa fees: Coverage of the £50 Oxford elective application fee and the £151 visa application fee.
  • Living expenses: A stipend of £200 per week of the elective to contribute towards food, personal expenses and social activities during the student’s stay in Oxford.

Together, this support is intended to help the successful applicant make the most of their elective experience without the full financial burden of travelling to and living in Oxford.

Who can apply?

Applicants must meet all of the following eligibility criteria:

  • Be a registered clinical medical student at an accredited university or medical institution in Gaza or the West Bank.
  • Be in the final or penultimate year of their medical degree.
  • Have already been accepted onto the University of Oxford Medical Sciences Division’s (MSD) centralised elective scheme for the relevant year.

Applicants should also demonstrate a strong academic background, a commitment to improving healthcare outcomes in their community, and the ambition to make the most of the opportunities offered by their elective.

Important: Acceptance onto the Oxford MSD elective programme is a prerequisite for applying for the scholarship. Students must therefore secure their elective placement before submitting their scholarship application.

Available Clinical Specialties

Scholarship recipients may undertake an elective in one of the following specialties:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Clinical Neurology / Ophthalmology
  • Emergency Medicine
  • Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine
  • Nuffield Department of Surgery
  • Psychiatry

Applicants should ensure that their chosen specialty is available through the Oxford MSD centralised elective scheme for their intended elective period.

Application Process & Key Dates

The application process involves two stages: first securing an Oxford clinical elective, and then applying for the scholarship through Exeter College.

1. Apply for an Oxford MSD elective

Students must first apply to the University of Oxford Medical Sciences Division’s centralised elective scheme and receive an offer of acceptance. The deadline for the Oxford MSD elective application is usually 31 December, with applicants typically notified of the outcome around March.

2. Apply for the scholarship

Once accepted onto the Oxford MSD elective scheme, eligible students can apply for the Exeter–Palestine Medical Elective Scholarship. The scholarship application window runs from 1 March to 31 December for electives taking place in July or August of the following year.

3. Await the outcome

Applications are assessed by Exeter College medical Fellows, with the scholarship decision expected to be made by 31 January.

Key dates at a glance

  • 31 December: Usual deadline for the Oxford MSD elective application.
  • Around March: Expected notification of acceptance onto the Oxford MSD elective scheme.
  • 1 March – 31 December: Scholarship application window for the following July–August elective period.
  • 31 January: Expected deadline for the scholarship selection outcome.

Applicants should check the official Oxford MSD and Exeter College websites for the relevant year’s deadlines and any updates to the application process.

How to Apply

Eligible applicants should submit their scholarship application by email to academic.office@exeter.ox.ac.uk.

Applications must include a CV and responses to the following three questions, with a maximum of 500 words per answer:

  1. Why would you like to undertake an elective in Oxford?
  2. What are you hoping to achieve during your elective?
  3. Why are you interested in your chosen specialty?

Applicants are encouraged to reflect on their academic interests, their goals for the elective and how the experience could contribute to their future development and their community.

Further information

For further information on applying for a clinical elective through the University of Oxford Medical Sciences Division (MSD), including the application process, key dates and visa requirements, please consult the University of Oxford Medical Electives Information Guide PDF.

For additional information about the Oxford MSD centralised elective scheme, please visit the Oxford Medical Sciences Division website.

For the official scholarship information, application guidance and any updates to eligibility criteria, funding arrangements or deadlines, please visit the Exeter College OxPal Exeter–Palestine Medical Elective Scholarship page.