In the UK many international students are required to pay the UK Government’s Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). The IHS covers the majority of healthcare costs for the duration of your visa. The amount is calculated based on the length of your visa and a range of other criteria. Visit the official UK Government IHS Tool to calculate your potential surcharge.
Short study periods (less than 6 months)
We advise you to take out medical insurance as you will be liable for NHS charges for any treatment received in the UK (except limited care in a medical emergency). Some countries have a reciprocal agreement with the UK which may entitle you to some free healthcare on the NHS but you should seek advice from health authorities in your home country about what treatment will be covered. EEA nationals should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
Private Medical Insurance
You may also wish to consider private medical insurance to cover the following potential health-related costs:
- Costs incurred returning to your home country for treatment
- Private medical treatment
If you already have medical insurance in your home country, you may wish to check whether this can be extended to cover your stay in the UK.
We will share more information with you on the IHS during your application process and our Visa and Immigration Team are always happy to answer any questions you may have on this.
You can also visit the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website to learn about how the UK healthcare system works, the IHS and the types of care it covers.