Students registered for courses in the UK of 6 months or more are entitled to primary medical care provided by the National Health Service (NHS) and emergency or immediately required treatment.

It is therefore unlikely that you would wish to have medical insurance but you should be aware that there are charges under the NHS for medicines, spectacles and eye care, and dental treatment (see below).

 

If you are on a course of less than 6 months duration, you are entitled to primary medical care (NHS) only if you are from a European Economic Area Member State (EEA) or from a country with a reciprocal health agreement. All students and accompanying family members should complete the form E128 that is obtainable from your own national authorities. If you have not completed the form E128, you will only be eligible for treatment for illness that become apparent whilst in the UK.

All international students on courses of less than 6 months with no reciprocal agreement will need to obtain health insurance. Any overseas visitor is entitled to 'emergency' or 'immediately' required treatment. Your family's entitlements are the same as yours unless the have been accorded Visitor status. In this case they will be entitled to NHS care only if they are nationals of countries with reciprocal arrangements with the UK. Please ask your home school International office if your country has a reciprocal health agreement with the UK.

The University provides nurse run clinics in the West End and Harrow which offer advice and information on all health issues including contraception (free condoms available), sexual health, vaccinations for travel abroad etc. This is a limited service and you are advised to register with a family doctor (GP) in the area in which you live. Details of how to do this, and about other services, are available in the Health Service waiting areas, and on the University web site.

If you are taking brand name medication and may require further supplies while in the UK, find out the generic name before you leave home. A doctor's letter would also be useful. The charge for each individual prescription drug in the UK is currently £6.00 Many medications are cheaper to buy over-the-counter (OTC) but antibiotics and strong pain killers are not available without a prescription. Dental treatment is only partially covered by the NHS but unless you require dental surgery annual costs should not exceed £250; Optician charges for eye tests (from £15) and spectacles (from £60).

 

It is strongly advisable for students to ensure adequate insurance to cover accident, theft and travel before coming to the UK. Many companies specialize in low cost insurance for students; details can be sought from the University Students Union. You should also consider insurance for the loss or theft of personal property or in case you have an illness that disrupts your course of study. Though we do not recommend any specific insurance companies, there is a student package provided by Endsleigh Insurance which covers the reimbursement of course fees if your studies are interrupted due to ill health. For further details ring +44 (0) 207 436 4451.

 

 

The following link to relevant information about remaining healthy whilst at the University: