At St. George’s University (SGU) School of Medicine, students have the unique opportunity to complete part or all of their clinical training in the United Kingdom. SGU UK clinical rotations offer access to teaching hospitals and the opportunity to train within the National Health Service (NHS), combining academic rigor with valuable international exposure.
While the program’s academic standards and support systems remain consistent across locations, this article goes beyond the curriculum to explore what truly makes the UK experience distinctive: students’ personal journeys. Through their reflections, we uncover how living and training in a new cultural and clinical environment shaped their confidence, adaptability, and sense of purpose.
The foundation: What SGU UK clinical rotations offer
Program overview
What makes the SGU UK clinical rotations so special is the blend of academic rigor and real-world learning. The curriculum not only mirrors the standards of SGU’s US-affiliated hospitals but also follows the same framework, ensuring that every student receives consistent, high-quality training.
SGU’s UK clinical program offers training across multiple sites within the NHS, providing students with hands-on exposure to a globally-recognized healthcare system. The program is open to US, Canadian, and international students, who can choose to complete part or all of their clinical rotations in the UK. Clinical sites include:
- Berrycroft Community Health Centre Foundation Trust in Aylesbury
- Hellesdon Hospital in Norwich
- Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital in Norwich
- Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital in Basingstoke
- North Middlesex University Hospital in London
- Poole Hospital in Poole
- Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Hampshire
- Russells Hall Hospital in Brierley Hill
- Sheepcot Medical Centre in Watford
- St Ann’s Hospital in Poole
- St. Ann’s Hospital in London
- Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Aylesbury
- The Adam Practice in Poole
- The Lawrence House Group in London
- Watford General Hospital in Hertfordshire
Built-in support network
To help students transition smoothly into the UK clinical setting, SGU provides robust on-site guidance through dedicated academic and administrative teams. Orientation sessions, workshops, and continuous support equip students with the tools needed to adapt to the NHS framework and thrive in their rotations. This structured network allows students to receive both academic guidance and logistical assistance, allowing them to focus fully on patient care and learning.
Benefits of completing clinical rotations in the UK
Completing SGU UK clinical rotations offers students opportunities to develop versatility, confidence, and adaptability, qualities highly valued in residency programs and beyond. Immersion in a new healthcare system exposes students to diverse patient populations and different approaches to care, enhancing cultural competence and clinical reasoning. Many students credit their UK experience with strengthening their ability to manage complex cases and preparing them to excel in a variety of medical environments.
SGU UK clinical rotations in action: Lessons from student success stories
The SGU UK clinical rotations experience is best understood through the voices of SGU graduates themselves, who share how their time in the UK shaped not just their medical knowledge, but also their approach to patient care and professional growth. Their reflections highlight the real-world impact of training in a new healthcare environment, learning to adapt, communicate across cultures, and find purpose in serving diverse communities.
Mishal Jaleel Akbar, MD ’18
For Mishal Jaleel Akbar, MD ’18, studying at SGU was the foundation for a rewarding career in the UK. Today, she is an internal medicine specialist at the Royal Free and Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals (BHRUT) NHS Trusts, where her SGU experience continues to shape her professional journey.
Through clinical rotations in London and other parts of the UK, SGU provided the exposure she needed to transition smoothly into the NHS.
“SGU supported my goal of practicing in the UK by offering clinical rotations in London and other parts of the country, which aligned perfectly with my long-term plans. That exposure made the transition into the UK healthcare system much smoother.”
Additionally, Dr. Akbar found the academics and curriculum to prepare her well for UK licensing exams.
She shares, “Studying for the USMLE Step 1 and Step 2, as well as scoring well on all of my NBME exams during clinical placements, gave me a strong academic foundation. That preparation translated well when it came to the PLAB exams and adjusting to the UK system.”
Peter Orton Beaumont, MD ’03
For Peter Orton Beaumont, MD ’03, the decision to study at SGU was the gateway to a career in some of the highest-stakes areas of medicine.
“SGU prepared me well, both academically and clinically. Completing a significant portion of my clinical rotations in the UK meant I was already familiar with the healthcare system, the clinical environment, and the patient population, Dr. Beaumont shares. “While I noticed some differences in training compared to UK graduates, I quickly adapted, and those early adjustments ultimately strengthened my skills and confidence.”
His training led him to King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, where he now serves as a consultant in critical care, anesthesia, and transfer medicine, a field centered on safely moving critically ill patients between settings.
“Working in the NHS offers the opportunity to make a real difference in people’s lives and to collaborate with talented colleagues from across the globe,” he shares. “For those who are committed, adaptable, and passionate about patient care, a medical career in the UK can be incredibly fulfilling and a source of great professional pride.”
Sotonye Campbell, MD ’19
Sotonye Campbell, MD ’19, originally from Nigeria, is a general practice specialty trainee (GPST3) at Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals. Dr. Campbell chose SGU to pursue her medical degree for its diverse student body, strong USMLE pass rates, and opportunities for both US and UK clinical rotations.
“The support from the SGU staff was incredibly helpful. They were familiar with the UK process and provided the necessary documents for my GMC registration promptly,” Dr. Campbell shares. “Anytime I had questions, they guided me with clarity and efficiency. That level of institutional support really eased what could have been a stressful transition.”
Dr. Campbell continues: “Doing my clinical rotations in New York gave me plenty of ward-based experience. I had supervisors who were really invested in my learning, and that made a big difference. That strong clinical exposure gave me the confidence I needed to start my work as an FY1 doctor.”
Dr. Campbell’s advice to aspiring doctors? If you’re considering practicing in the UK, she recommends completing at least one clinical rotation there. “SGU offers the flexibility to gain both UK and US clinical experience, which can be a valuable advantage,” she explains.
Enhance your MD journey through SGU UK clinical rotations
Experience what it’s like to learn medicine through SGU UK clinical rotations in one of the world’s most respected healthcare systems. Clinical training in the UK challenges you to think globally, adapt quickly, and grow into the kind of physician the world needs.
Learn more about clinical rotations in the UK and consider starting your MD journey at SGU.
