Funding your medical elective or clinical placement shouldn’t be a source of stress, but for many, it is. The sheer amount of options available to you - from organising fundraising events to applying for bursaries and grants - is enough to make the head of any student or professional start spinning.

Thankfully, we know a thing or two about funding overseas placements. Below, we’ve put together a list of options available:

1. OS-Help Loans

If you’re an Australian domestic student, you might be eligible to access an OS-Help loan. In most cases, the loan will be added to your student debt, with no extra fees or interest accrued on loans. It’s worth talking through your options with someone at your university - some universities even have schemes in place to assist students in applying for these loans.

2. International Offices

Most universities have a ‘study abroad’, ‘global exchange’, or ‘global mobility’ office. In most cases, they also offer information and resources relating to popular grants, scholarships or bursaries you can apply to. For short-term placements like ours, it’s possible to acquire a grant of anything between $500 - $1500.

3. Healthcare Grants

Not a student? Professional associations and healthcare organisations across the Tasman typically have grant and scholarship options available to both students and professionals. These are offered in a variety of formats and usually require a written report upon returning from your trip.

4. University Scholarships

Finally, most universities in Australia and New Zealand ally with Global Health groups or societies that offer scholarship and grant options for students who plan on travelling overseas for study. The amount of funding these societies will be able to provide often differs, and may require you to write a report during or after your experience.

5. COLOMBO SCHOLARSHIP

If you’re an Australian healthcare student, you’ll be glad to hear there’s a Government Scholarship available to those travelling to the Philippines, Nepal and Sri Lanka - coincidentally, some of our top locations. You could receive up to $3,000 towards your healthcare placement! Read more here.

There’s no limit to how many bursaries, grants and scholarships you can apply for, and we’ve done the research so you don’t have to. As always, we’re just a phone call or email away. If you have any further questions regarding funding, don’t hesitate to get in contact with us using the enquiry form.

Frequently asked questions

What is the typical cost of a Work the World placement?

Registration for all destinations is $500. Prices then vary depending on how long you want to go for and where you want to travel to. Our minimum placement duration is one week with no upper limit. On average placements are normally between 4 - 6 weeks.