Health Insurance Card in UK for Students

The UK’s NHS which is known as National Health Service and is one of the world’s best healthcare systems in the world which are now offering first-class, safe, and modern treatment and support for all applicants.

If you need a visa to study in the UK, as part of your application you have to pay an Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) to gain access to the NHS. The usual fee is £624. However, there is a 25 % discount for student visa holders - so you should expect to pay £470 per year.

The IHS will allow you, if you need it, to consult a doctor on the any physical or mental health issue, accident and emergency services, the diagnosis of any sexually transmitted a danger diseases and access to the Covid-19 vaccine. It also offers a reduced the price dental care if provided through an NHS dentist.

As you have access to the NHS in the UK, you do not need for private medical insurance during your studies unless you are studying the course that lasts less than six months and therefore so you do not have a student visa.

Shortly when you arrive in the UK, we are recommend that you register with a GP (general practitioner), a doctor who deals with most general health problems, so that if you do end up needing medical assistance then you will be able to access it easily. Most GP surgeries accommodate patients’ requests to see a doctor of a specific gender, then if it makes you feel more comfortable.

European students: if you have European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), you may be able to apply for a refund the cost of the Immigration Health Surcharge. Check the GOV.UK an official website to find out if you are eligible to do so. Also note, if you decide to do paid part-time work in the UK, this could impact your eligibility for a refund, so make sure you consider this in advance of starting your studies. To find out more visit the NHS website.

Welfare

• UK universities and colleges take student welfare seriously. 
• If you feel stressed or have any problems, the best thing to do is to share it. You can talk to:
• your tutor, especially if you have concerns about your course or exams the student welfare officer or, if there is one, international student officer someone at your students’ union, which can provide general welfare support and often has officers who can help with disability, sexuality or gender-related issues. 
• Find out more about students' unions.

Dear, a Croatian student studying Biomedicine at the University of Huddersfield, said:

‘Ever since I arrived in the UK, I was impressed by how much wellbeing support students receive. For example, at my university we have a peer listening service (which is amazing); the opportunity to book one-to-one wellbeing appointments with an advisor or short-term counselling sessions with a professional who can help us to understand ourselves and the problems we might be experiencing better.’

For more information on welfare see Support while you study.

Safety

The UK is one of the safest countries in the world, with low crime rates and a trustworthy police force. There are strict laws on gun ownership and gun crime is very rare.

Most universities and colleges employ private security services to patrol their campuses. Your institution will usually provide you with information on staying safe on campus, and in Welcome Week many of them run specific sessions for new students on being vigilant in all areas of their lives in the UK.