Work experience

The Christie Institute for Cancer Education believes in creating opportunities that help shape brighter futures. That’s why we offer a variety of work experience placements at The Christie for students and young people across Greater Manchester.

Our placements are designed to open doors, spark curiosity and introduce the wide range of rewarding careers available within the NHS. From clinical care and research to catering and technical services, we welcome young people into departments across the Trust to experience how every role plays a part in delivering exceptional care.

We understand that many students are at a pivotal stage, exploring their next steps after school or college. Gaining real-world work experience can be a valuable way to explore career options, build confidence and develop new skills. We’re committed to making The Christie a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive place to learn and grow.

As part of our commitment to social value and community responsibility, we prioritise placements for young people who live or study within Greater Manchester. By investing in local talent, we’re helping to build a stronger, healthier future for our communities.

Below are the current opportunities available here at The Christie. If something interests you, feel free to get in touch with our team to learn more or to make an enquiry.

At The Christie, we are committed to inspiring and supporting the next generation of healthcare professionals and support staff. Each year, we offer a wide range of work experience placements to students across Greater Manchester. A placement with us can range from half a day up to 5 days.

Our placements span both clinical and non-clinical areas, giving young people the chance to explore the many different careers available within the NHS. Whether you're considering a future in nursing, administration, customer service, hospitality, research or one of the many other vital roles that keep our services running, we’re here to help you take your first step.

By joining us for a placement, you’ll gain valuable insight into the world of healthcare, develop new skills and learn from experienced professionals who are passionate about what they do.

How to apply

To express your interest in a placement, please email us at the-christie.workexperience@nhs.net with the following details:

  • Your full name
  • Your age
  • Your area of interest
  • Your availability

Please get in touch at least 2 months in advance to allow time for coordination and approvals.

Important information

As Europe’s largest single-site cancer centre, we are committed to providing meaningful learning opportunities while ensuring fair and equal access. Please note:

  • Priority is given to students who live or study in Greater Manchester.
  • Non-clinical placements are available to individuals aged 14 and above.
  • Clinical placements are available to those aged 17 and over, under supervision.
  • Patient contact and access to theatres are not permitted under any circumstances.
  • Friends or relatives of staff must follow the same application process. Informal or unplanned visits are not allowed.

Due to high demand and departmental capacity, there may be a waiting list and processing times can vary.

Get in touch

All placements are coordinated through our dedicated team. For more information or an informal chat, please email us at the-christie.workexperience@nhs.net — we’re happy to help.

A supported internship is a structured, work-based study programme for young people aged 16 to 24 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). It offers a unique opportunity helping interns build confidence, develop essential skills and explore potential career paths in the NHS.

At the heart of the programme is a meaningful NHS work placement, where interns are supported to carry out real tasks in real settings. Alongside this, interns spend one day a week at college, continuing to develop their English, maths, and employability skills in a supportive learning environment.

We are proud to partner with Choices College, working together to support interns throughout their journey.

Aims and objectives

At The Christie, we share a commitment with Choices College to be inclusive, accessible employers of choice for young adults with learning difficulties, disabilities, and/or autism through our Supported Internship programme.

Our programme is designed to empower young people with SEND by building their confidence, independence and sense of purpose in the workplace. We aim to challenge perceptions and raise awareness of the incredible capabilities and potential these individuals bring. Interns contribute fresh perspectives and make meaningful impacts within our teams, helping to showcase the true value of inclusive employment. This programme promotes workforce diversity, ensures equal opportunities and offers supported pathways into NHS careers, expanding access to employment at The Christie.

Get in touch

If you’ve had a placement confirmed via Choices College, or if you’re interested in learning more about the programme, please contact us at the-christie.workexperience@nhs.net.

At The Christie, we are committed to supporting looked after young people and care leavers by offering meaningful and tailored work experience opportunities. Our programme is designed specifically for care-experienced individuals aged 16 to 25 who are not currently in education, employment or training, and who may have found it difficult to engage with traditional support services.

What we offer

Our programme is tailored to help young people explore the wide range of roles available within the NHS, while developing the confidence and skills needed to take their next steps. Participants are invited to commit to one day per week, with placements typically running for six to twelve weeks.  

Each placement is built around the individual. We take a person-centred approach ensuring that every young person receives a bespoke plan that reflects their interests, strengths and aspirations. Our Career Development Practitioner is qualified in Education and Training, Advice and Guidance and trauma-informed practice. We’re here to support young people who may be facing personal challenges, with a strong focus on wellbeing and safety. From there, we help build personalised pathways into employment, training, or apprenticeships.

Getting started

When a young person is ready to begin, we work closely with the care leaving team and/or key workers to create a personalised plan. This includes placement details, introductions to supervisors and a clear schedule to help ensure the experience is meaningful, supportive and manageable.

We have successfully supported placements across a variety of departments, including front of house, catering, finance, and digital services. To further support progression beyond the placement, we also offer insight sessions into NHS careers, mock interviews and employability workshops designed to build confidence and prepare participants for future opportunities.

All placements are coordinated through our dedicated team. For more information or an informal chat, please email us at the-christie.workexperience@nhs.net — we’re happy to help

At this time, we are not currently offering T-Level placements as we continue to develop and expand our programme. This includes a thorough review of our capacity to ensure we can provide meaningful, well-supported experiences for all students.

Please check back soon for updates. We’re looking forward to welcoming future learners into our teams and will share further details as soon as opportunities become available.

Referrals and enquiries

All work experience initiatives are managed by the Work Experience Team within The Christie Institute for Cancer Education. For referrals, collaboration opportunities or to speak with our Career Development Practitioner, please contact the-christie.workexperience@nhs.net

Last updated: June 2025