Work experience

Work experience offers a valuable opportunity to explore the diverse career paths available within the NHS.

By immersing yourself in the daily routines and responsibilities of NHS staff, you gain firsthand insight into the realities of healthcare professions.

This experience not only boosts your confidence, but also provides a deeper understanding of the attitudes, behaviours and values essential for success in a healthcare environment.

Through this observational opportunity, you develop a clearer perspective on what it takes to thrive in these roles, setting a strong foundation for your future career decisions.

Who can apply

We give priority to applicants from Oxfordshire schools and our immediate area.

Work experience does not include longer industry placements (T-levels) or clinical attachments. These applicants require honorary contracts.

Please visit:

Honorary and observer opportunities

Age requirements according to OUH policy

Non-clinical areas

From 15 years of age participants may apply for a placement in non-clinical areas and undertake work experience in an administration area.

Any clinical area not exempt from work experience

From 16 years of age / Year 11 participants may be placed in a clinical area or ward for work shadowing / observation only - they should be assigned to shadow an employee undertaking their normal duties, allowing close observation to gain an insight into the role.

Maternity Services (excluding Maternity Theatres)

From 17 years of age / Year 12 and above.

Theatres (excluding Maternity Theatres)

From 18 years of age participants / adults considering a change of career are permitted to observe in our operating theatres and emergency departments.

Placements within theatres are predominately designated for students planning to apply for medical school or nursing / Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) training.

Work experience areas

We offer work experience across clinical and non-clinical roles, in the following areas:

Medicine
Nursing
Midwifery
Pharmacy
Operating Department Practice (ODP)
Radiography (Diagnostic)
Therapies (Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy)
Biomedical Science (Microbiology, Biochemistry etc.)
Clinical Engineering
Finance
Health Administration
Human Resources
Property Services and Estates

We cannot offer work experience in the following areas:

Emergency Departments
Intensive Care Units
Mortuary

Locations

We have four main hospital sites and some services in the community. Some specialist roles are only available on certain sites.

For details of our hospital sites and the transport options available please visit:

Hospitals - Oxford University Hospitals

How and when to apply

We open application windows three times a year. If we receive a large number of applications, we may have to close applications early.

We do our best to find placements, but capacity is limited and depends on which department you apply to, so unfortunately we cannot guarantee a placement for every applicant.

Placements usually last one to three days, with a maximum of one week. If you need a full week of work experience, please bear in mind that some of our departments may not be able to offer a full week.

We offer no more than one placement to any individual for work experience, so if you apply for multiple placements we will reject your application.

We cannot offer placements at weekends or on Bank Holidays.

Academic year 2026 – 2027

Intake 1: Autumn term 2026

21 September 2026 to 18 December 2026 including Half Term 26 to 30 October 2026.

No work experience over the Christmas holiday.

Applications for Autumn term will open at 10.00am on 1 June 2026 for four working days.

Intake 2: Spring term 2027

11 January 2027 to 16 April 2027 including Half Term 15 to 19 February 2027 and Easter holiday 30 March to 9 April 2027.

Applications for Spring term will open in November 2026.

Intake 3: Summer term 2027

17 May 2027 to 27 August 2027 including Half Term 1 – 4 June 2027 and Summer holiday 23 July - 27 August 2027

Applications for this term will open in March 2027

Other opportunities

Elective placements

Medical students looking for a placement on the Medical School Elective Programme, please visit

Electives - University of Oxford, Medical Sciences Division

Overseas applicants seeking elective placements please visit:

Honorary and observer opportunities

Clinical attachments

Applicants seeking a clinical attachment please visit:

Honorary and observer opportunities

Observer agreements

An observer agreement allows an individual to observe processes and practices at the Trust. It is unpaid and applicants must be over 18 years old.

Agreements are capped at four weeks - for more information please visit:

Honorary and observer opportunities

Virtual work experience

The NHS offers online work-related learning through Springpod, providing an excellent introduction to various healthcare careers and helping you prepare for in-person work experience.

This is open to students aged from 13 years of age living in the South East of England.

Each programme takes six to eight hours to complete at your own pace, with a certificate on completion.

The following areas are available:

Allied Health
Dentistry
Health and social care
Useful if you are not sure where to start - covers clinical and clinical support careers.
Medicine
Nursing and midwifery
Pharmacy
Psychology

NHS careers after-school talks

We invite secondary school students to attend our after-school talks on a range of healthcare professions.

For further information please email: Admin.PD&E@oxnet.nhs.uk

Medical Physics careers

For those interested in Masters Scientist Training Programme (STP).

We have a summer work experience programme for university students and graduates interested in a career in Medical Physics.

Applications for July 2026 are now closed.

Applications for the 2027 intake will open in early December 2026.

Working for us - Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering - Oxford University Hospitals

Resources

Below is a selection of links of interest to those thinking about careers in medicine, health and social care. Many others can be found online by searching.