Clinical Attachments in Yorkshire: Leeds, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield
Updated: 20 hours ago
Yorkshire has some of the most structured clinical attachment programmes in England. Leeds, Doncaster and Rotherham all publish clear routes, with set fees and in some cases set cohort dates, which makes the region a good choice if you're tired of emailing consultants and hearing nothing back.
Quick answer: for a clinical attachment in Yorkshire, look first at Leeds Teaching Hospitals (observerships of up to 12 weeks, £350), Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals (4 weeks, £400) and The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust (a structured 8-week programme, £400 in total). For Sheffield, Bradford and other Trusts without a published scheme, email consultants directly. Most Yorkshire programmes need PLAB, IELTS or OET, a police check and occupational health clearance.
Yorkshire Trusts with a published route
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
What: medical observerships for doctors qualified outside the UK without a GMC licence, and for doctors returning to practice
Fee: a one-off £350 administration fee
Length: up to 12 weeks
How to apply: contact the department first. If there's no reply within 4 weeks, treat it as unsuccessful. If accepted, the department submits your application to the honorary contracts team.
Note: observation only, and Leeds doesn't provide references or certificates afterwards
Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS FT
Requirements: IMG without GMC registration, graduated within 5 years; PLAB 1 and 2 (or working towards PLAB 2) if non-EU; IELTS 7.5 or OET; police certificate
Fee: £400 (£100 deposit + £300)
Length: 4 weeks
How to apply: application form by email in the cohort window. Emergency department applicants must be GMC registered and apply through the separate Clinical Observation Programme.
Note: DBTH emails a certificate of completion
The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust
What: a structured clinical attachment programme run by medical education, supervised by a consultant or SAS doctor
Requirements: overseas qualified doctor; PLAB 1 passed; preparing for or passed PLAB 2; IELTS 7.5 or equivalent
Fee: £100 non-refundable admin fee, plus £300 on your first day
Length: up to 8 weeks, full time
Dates: the autumn 2026 cohort runs from 12 October to 4 December 2026 (applications closed 31 August). Details for 2027 will be published in 2027.
Sheffield, Bradford and other Trusts
At the time of writing, we couldn't find an open, published IMG clinical attachment programme for Sheffield Teaching Hospitals or Bradford Teaching Hospitals. You can still approach consultants directly with a short, personal email and your CV. Our consultant email templates show you how.
Recent placement we arranged
We recently arranged a clinical attachment in anaesthesia in West Yorkshire for an international medical graduate from Sri Lanka. The Trust's name is kept confidential.
Practical tips for Yorkshire
Watch the cohort dates: Rotherham and Doncaster recruit in windows, so check their pages early.
Get evidence you can use: if a reference or certificate matters to you, choose a Trust that provides one (Doncaster sends a certificate; Leeds doesn't).
Accommodation: rents in Doncaster, Rotherham and Wakefield are usually lower than in Leeds city centre.
Jobs afterwards: Yorkshire Trusts advertise many trust grade and junior clinical fellow posts. See our junior clinical fellow guide.
Want us to arrange it?
Our clinical attachment support service approaches hospitals for you and guides you through the checks. See also our NHS clinical attachment directory, and our guides to Manchester and the North West, the Midlands and London.
Frequently asked questions
Does Leeds offer clinical attachments?
Yes. Leeds Teaching Hospitals offers medical observerships of up to 12 weeks for a one-off £350 fee. You contact the department first.
Which Yorkshire clinical attachment gives a certificate?
Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals emails a certificate of completion. Leeds doesn't provide certificates or references.
Do I need GMC registration?
Not for most Yorkshire programmes. Doncaster's emergency department route is the exception and requires GMC registration.
How much does a Yorkshire clinical attachment cost?
Between £350 and £400 at the Trusts with published programmes, plus checks, travel and accommodation.
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