Medical students in Rotterdam have begun offering each other cash payments of up to several thousand euros in order to jump ahead in the line for coveted hospital training placements.
The scheme involves students with early Erasmus MC rotations accepting money from classmates who are eager to secure those prime slots. With only a limited number of positions available each term, competition has grown fierce, and some trainees are resorting to financial incentives to reshuffle the official schedule.
University officials have launched an investigation into the barter system, which they describe as both unfair and in violation of academic regulations. “All students deserve equal access to clinical rotations based on merit and need,” said a spokesperson for Erasmus University. “Offering or accepting money to switch placements undermines the integrity of our programme.”
Critics warn that the practice could create a two-tier system in which only those able to pay large sums can secure the most sought-after training, potentially disadvantaging lower-income students. The university is now considering stricter enforcement measures, including disciplinary action for anyone found participating in the cash-for-placements scheme.
Meanwhile, student representatives are calling for a transparent, needs-based process to allocate clinical rotations, arguing that clearer guidelines and better support for underprivileged students would help prevent future abuses and ensure a fair learning environment for all.