Healthcare in the UK for international students
Healthcare in the UK for international students
Many international students are entitled to use the National Health Service (NHS). The NHS provides some free healthcare to international students who are living and studying in the UK. However, other NHS treatment may require you to pay. This means you may need medical insurance.
Available free for students on the NHS
These NHS treatments are free for all students:
Treatment in an Accident and Emergency Department or Casualty Department.
Family Planning Services.
Treatment for some Communicable Diseases.
Compulsory Psychiatric Treatment.
EEA Nationals
EEA Nationals
If you come from a European Economic Area (EEA) country, you and your family qualify for full NHS treatment. You should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before you come to the UK. This entitles you to treatment.
Swiss Nationals
If you are Swiss, or a national of one of the EU member states who has come to study in the UK from Switzerland, you will have the same healthcare eligibility as EEA nationals. However, this may not apply to you if you are a national of Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and have been resident in Switzerland before coming to the UK.
Non-EEA Nationals
If you are not from an EEA country, you’ll still qualify for some NHS treatment if you meet the following conditions:
- If your course lasts for 6 months or more, you are entitled to free medical treatment from the beginning of your stay. Your family will also be entitled to NHS treatemnt, if they are living with you as dependants.
- If your course is for less than 6 months, you will have free accident and emergency hospital treatment. However, you will have to pay for any other treatment as a private patient. It is therefore very important that you take out medical insurance for the duration of your visit to the UK.
You can find more detailed information on the UK CISA website.
Useful Information about Healthcare in the UK
Registering with a doctor (GP)
When you arrive in Cardiff it is important to register with a doctor (GP). Do not wait until you become ill to register. Celtic English Academy will give you a letter to help you register with a doctor and will suggest which surgery you should go to depending on where you live.
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Accidents & Emergencies
If you need urgent medical attention, call 999 for an ambulance. The Accident and Emergency Department in Cardiff is located at the Heath Hospital (UHW) CF14 4XW.
NHS Direct
If you can’t get to see a doctor, you can call the 24 hour NHS Direct number, which operates 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Calls are free from landlines or mobiles. Call 0845 4647. Soon the service will change to NHS 111, so call 111 when you need medical advice.
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