Background Specialist cancer practice placements can provide preregistration students in healthcare disciplines with opportunities to gain unique expertise. Positive experiences in such placement settings can prompt students to pursue a career in cancer care.

Aim To identify the views, needs and expectations of preregistration students on what makes a positive learning environment in a specialist cancer setting.

Method A qualitative design was used. Data were collected through three focus groups with 11 preregistration students from nursing (n=5), allied health professions (n=4) and medical (n=2) undergraduate courses.

Findings Three themes emerged inductively from the thematic analysis of data: integration within the team; achieving competencies; and managing expectations. Positive learning experiences for preregistration students on placement in specialist cancer settings are underpinned by various factors including effective communication with staff, integration within the clinical team, positive role models, positive relationships with patients and families and resources to assist students to monitor their learning objectives.

Conclusion To enhance students’ placement experiences they need positive learning environments in which they are supported to feel part of the team and to achieve their required competencies.