Before you apply or read further: Please check that work shadowing is the correct opportunity for you.
Which opportunity is right for you?
- Sixth form students (Years 12-13) interested in healthcare careers: continue reading this page to find out about shadowing and volunteering opportunities at CUH.
- Students in Years 10-13 seeking a broader introduction to NHS careers: Our Insight Programmes provide talks, activities and tours to help you explore a range of healthcare careers (https://careers.cuh.nhs.uk/where-could-i-work/work-experience/insight-programmes/)
- Medical students seeking an elective placement and the Erasmus programme: Please visit the following links provided by the University of Cambridge Clinical School of Medicine:
- Medical Elective Placements Elective placements | School of Clinical Medicine (opens in a new tab) (opens in a new tab)
- Erasmus Programme, medical internships and International Students FAQ Clinical School of Medicine contact details Contact us | School of Clinical Medicine (opens in a new tab) (opens in a new tab)
- Nursing students seeking elective placements: please contact the Clinical Education Team directly to arrange your placement.cuh.ineedhelponplacement@nhs.net
- Other higher education elective placements: contact the relevant specialty education team. Call the hospital switchboard on 01223 245151 and ask for the specific specialty department education team e.g. Physiotherapy.
- Nb: Biomedical Science Elective Placements are only available for and organised within a specific programme at Anglia Ruskin University. No other elective placements are available within this area.
Work shadowing placement
Work Shadowing is facilitated by the Work Opportunities Team. This is to ensure that the placement conforms with the Trust’s public liability insurance, health and safety, and safeguarding policy.
Shadowing placements are available for students in sixth form (years 12 and 13) and some higher education students, subject to availability.
Pre-Placement checks can take up to two months to complete. Applications should therefore be submitted well in advance of your preferred placement dates.
All placements are subject to availability and completion of any required pre-placement checks.
Who Can Apply?
CUH offers work shadowing opportunities for students attending colleges within Cambridgeshire and Fenland, as well as some neighbouring areas of Suffolk, Herts and Essex.
If you are unsure whether you are eligible to apply, please contact cuh.workexperience.addenbrookes@nhs.net .
Applicants should have the support of their school/college’s Careers Advisor or Tutor before applying.
CUH is committed to supporting social mobility and widening participation in healthcare careers. Information about our approach and how we prioritise opportunities when demand exceeds capacity can be found on our Work Experience Overview page.
Some departments are very popular and demand significantly exceeds the number of placements available each year. When demand outstrips placement capacity, we will give consideration to:
- Care experienced young people (children or young adults who are currently looked after by the state, or have previously been looked after by the state)
- Young carers (a young person who helps look after a relative with a disability, illness, mental health condition, or drug or alcohol problem. This could be a parent or a sibling)
- Young people in receipt of free school meals
Where capacity is limited, applications may be reviewed taking into account educational stage, intended progression route and their current stage of preparation for a future application to study for a career in the NHS.
We recognise that students may be at different stages in their career journey. Applicants who are not yet pursuing a career in the NHS, or who would benefit from broader career exploration, may be signposted to our insight programmes and other work experience opportunities. These provide valuable exposure to the wide range of clinical, scientific, therapeutic and support professions that contribute to patient care across the NHS.
All work shadowing placements are subject to availability and participants will be required to undergo pre-placement checks dependent on the type, duration and location of the offer.
| Open | Close |
|---|---|
| Open 1st October 2026 | Close 30th November 2026 |
| Open 1st January 2027 | Close 31st January 2027 |
| Open 1st April 2027 | Close 30th April 2027 |
Placement availability is limited and demand for certain placements is very high. Applicants are encouraged to consider their area of interest carefully and explain this clearly in their application.
Please click on the link to apply to shadow during the application open periods only Work Shadowing Application Form 26-27 (opens in a new tab)
We prefer that students contact us directly regarding work experience (instead of a family member).
Due to the high volume of emails, please allow some time for a response and check your junk folder.
Volunteering routes
As well as supporting our patients, volunteering provides an excellent route to gaining experience and appreciation of the types of careers available in the NHS and CUH. Opportunities are available for people over the age of 16 years old, via an application process. For all volunteering opportunities, please see Home - Our Volunteers or email: Cuh.volunteer@nhs.net
Email Details for Support:
- For work experience or careers events queries email:
- For career advice or apprenticeship information, please email:
- For all volunteering opportunities, please email: