1. Program Overview

The Clinical Elective Program at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) offers short-term supervised clinical exposure for visiting medical students in approved departments at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital or other university affiliated hospitals.

• Minimum duration: 2 weeks
• Maximum duration: 8 weeks
• Electives are educational and non-remunerated
• No tuition fees currently apply
• Placements are subject to departmental availability and approval
• Electives commence on the first Sunday of each month
• Availability may be limited during peak academic periods or public holidays

Participation in the program does not confer employment status or clinical privileges beyond supervised educational activities.

2. Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

1. Be currently enrolled in an accredited medical school recognized by the relevant national authority in its country of operation.
2. The institution must be authorized to award a primary medical qualification (e.g., MD, MBBS, MBChB or equivalent).
3. The medical school should be listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS).
4. Have completed at least three (3) years of medical training (or equivalent pre-clinical phase).
5. Be actively enrolled in the clinical/clerkship phase at the time of the elective.
6. Be in good academic and professional standing.
7. Demonstrate adequate proficiency in English for clinical communication.

Applicants who have already graduated, are on academic suspension, or are enrolled in non-accredited or online-only medical programs are not eligible.

The College reserves the right to request additional documentation to verify accreditation status.

3. Scope of Participation

The elective is observational and supervised in nature.

Visiting students:

• Will attend ward rounds, outpatient clinics, operating rooms, procedures, and academic meetings under supervision.
• May participate in patient care activities only with explicit approval and direct supervision.
• May not independently manage patients.
• May not prescribe medications.
• May not independently document in the official medical record.
• Must strictly adhere to patient confidentiality and hospital policies.

SQU reserves the right to modify clinical access based on institutional regulations.

4. Application Timeline

• Applications must be submitted at least six (6) months prior to the intended start date.
• Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
• Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.
• Acceptance is conditional upon full documentation and departmental approval.

5. Specialty Preferences

Applicants may list up to three (3) specialty preferences, ranked in order of priority.

• Placement in the first-choice specialty is not guaranteed.
• Final allocation depends on departmental capacity and approval.
• An alternative specialty may be offered if preferred options are unavailable.

6. Required Documentation

Applications must include the following:

1. Formal nomination letter from the Dean (or authorized representative) addressed to the College of Medicine & Health Sciences.
2. Official academic transcript.
3. Letter of recommendation from a clinical faculty member.
4. Curriculum Vitae.
5. Copy of passport (valid for at least six months beyond the elective period).
6. Recent passport-sized photograph.
7. Proof of valid personal health insurance coverage
8. Completed Immunization Form.
9. Completed Status Verification Form (sent directly by the home institution) to confirm that they:

• Are currently enrolled in an accredited medical school
• Have entered the clinical clerkship phase
• Are in good academic standing

This form must be:

• Signed and stamped by the Dean’s Office (or equivalent authority) at the applicant's medical school
• Submitted directly to the Clinical Elective Office by official email or postal mail

Applications will only be processed once all required documents have been received.

7. Health and Immunization Requirements

Students must provide documented immunity or vaccination against:

• Hepatitis B
• Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
• Varicella
• Tetanus-diphtheria
• Tuberculosis screening within the past 12 months

Students who fail to provide complete documentation will not be permitted to commence their elective.

8. Centralized Application Policy

All applications must be submitted exclusively through the Clinical Elective Office.

• Students must not contact individual departments or faculty members directly to arrange placements.
• Applications initiated outside the official process will not be considered.
• Departmental confirmations are valid only if issued through the Clinical Elective Office.

9. Visa and Accommodation

Students are responsible for:

• Securing the their entry/visit visa to Oman through the appropriate embassy or consulate in their country.
• Arranging accommodation.

• University housing may be available subject to availability and is not guaranteed.

• Approximate cost: OMR 120–130 per month
• One-month refundable deposit required upon arrival

10. Professional Conduct

Students are expected to:

• Comply with SQU and hospital regulations.
• Maintain strict patient confidentiality.
• Adhere to professional dress standards.
• Wear visible identification at all times.
• Attend punctually and complete the agreed schedule.

Failure to comply with institutional policies may result in immediate termination of the elective.

11. Cancellation Policy

• Students must confirm participation within the timeframe stated in the acceptance letter.
• Withdrawal less than four (4) weeks prior to the start date may result in:
  • Restriction from future applications
  • Notification to the home institution

Repeated cancellations may affect future eligibility.

12. Completion and Certification

• A minimum attendance of 75% is required.
• A Certificate of Participation will be issued upon satisfactory completion.
• Formal grading is not provided unless requested by the home institution.

13.  Available Elective Specialties

Electives may be arranged in the following departments depending on capacity:

• Medical & Surgical Specialties:

• Internal Medicine & Subspecialties (e.g., Cardiology, Neurology, Oncology, Infectious Diseases, etc.)
• Surgery & Subspecialties (e.g., General Surgery, Orthopedics, Neurosurgery, ENT, Pediatric Surgery, etc.)
• Obstetrics & Gynecology (female students only)
• Pediatrics / Child Health
• Emergency Medicine
• Anesthesia & ICU
• Family Medicine & Public Health
• Ophthalmology

• Diagnostic & Laboratory Disciplines:

• Radiology
• Pathology
• Microbiology & Immunology
• Clinical Biochemistry
• Clinical Physiology
• Clinical & Biomedical Physics

• Other:

• Hematology
• Dental & Maxillofacial Surgery