Studying in the UK is exciting, but understanding Health Insurance for International Students in the UK can feel confusing because the system is not built around “one insurance policy” in the way many countries are. For most students on a UK Student visa, the starting point is the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), paid during the visa application, which gives access to NHS healthcare on broadly the same basis as UK residents for the length of your permission to stay.
This guide explains how the NHS works for students, what the Immigration Health Surcharge costs, what is and is not included, and when private health insurance is worth paying for.
Quick summary: what to do and what it costs
If you only read one section, read this.
Key takeaways
- Most students on courses longer than 6 months pay the Immigration Health Surcharge as part of the visa application, then access NHS care on broadly the same basis as UK residents.
- The GOV.UK listed annual Immigration Health Surcharge rate for students is £776 per person per year (and each dependant pays too).
- Even after paying the surcharge, you may still pay for things UK residents also pay for, such as prescriptions (England), dental treatment, and eye tests.
- If your course is 6 months or less, you may not pay the surcharge in some cases, which can make private medical insurance much more important.
Two checklists
- Before you travel: confirm your visa length, pay the Immigration Health Surcharge if required, keep your IHS reference, and bring any medical records for ongoing conditions.
- After you arrive: register with a local GP, learn when to use NHS 111 vs 999, and budget for prescriptions, dental, and opticians if you are in England.
How healthcare works in the UK: NHS basics for students
To understand your options, it helps to know the UK pathway for care.
In the NHS, a GP is usually your first point of contact for non emergency health issues. They treat common conditions, prescribe medicines, and refer you to specialists and hospitals when needed.
For urgent but non life threatening problems, the UK commonly directs people to NHS 111 for advice and signposting. In a life threatening emergency, you call 999 or go to Accident and Emergency. UKCISA also emphasises registering with a GP after arrival.
The UK is made up of four nations (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland). The NHS exists in each nation, but some rules and charges vary, especially for prescriptions. UKCISA covers nation specific guidance in separate sections.
Immigration Health Surcharge: who pays, how much, and how it is calculated
Now that you know how the NHS works, the next step is understanding what the Immigration Health Surcharge does.
Who pays the Immigration Health Surcharge
If you are applying for time limited permission to stay in the UK to study for more than 6 months, you generally pay the surcharge as part of your visa application, unless an exemption applies. The surcharge is paid per applicant, and dependants pay too.
How much is the surcharge for students
On GOV.UK, the annual cost shown for students and their dependants is £776 per year.
The Home Office guidance also notes that the rate depends on the date you apply, and that the portal calculates liability using course dates and rounds in 6 month periods. This is why your total can feel higher than expected when your permission includes extra months before or after your course.
What if you do not pay
GOV.UK explains that if you do not pay, UK Visas and Immigration will contact you and your application can be refused if you do not pay within the deadline given.
What the NHS covers once you have paid IHS, and what you may still pay for
With the surcharge handled, the next question is what you actually get.
What you can access through the NHS
Home Office guidance explains that paying the surcharge enables migrants to access NHS treatment without charge from the date permission is granted, on broadly the same basis as permanent UK residents, for the duration of their immigration permission.
In plain terms, this usually includes GP care, hospital treatment when referred, and emergency treatment on the same general basis that residents receive.
What is not automatically free, even after paying the surcharge
A common misunderstanding is that paying the surcharge means everything becomes free. It does not.
Home Office guidance is explicit that you still pay for services a UK resident would also pay for, including prescriptions, dental treatment, and eye tests.
England prescription costs (checked on 15 February 2026)
- Prescription charge (England): £9.90 per item.
- Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC): £32.05 for 3 months, £114.50 for 12 months.
- When PPC can help: PPCs often save money if you need multiple items over the certificate period (rules and pricing can change, so recheck before budgeting).
If your course is under 6 months: your options and risk points
If you are coming for a short course, the decision changes.
GOV.UK states that if you apply from outside the UK for 6 months or less, you do not need to pay the surcharge.
Home Office guidance also highlights that visitors and short term permission of 6 months or less are directly chargeable for healthcare received, rather than benefiting from surcharge based access.
What this means for you
- You should assume you may be charged for NHS care beyond what is exempt, so private medical insurance becomes much more important for financial protection.
- A standard travel insurance policy may include medical cover, but limits vary widely. Do not assume it is enough without checking.
What to look for in a short stay medical policy
- Emergency treatment and hospitalisation limits that match UK costs
- Repatriation cover and 24 hour assistance line
- Coverage for pre existing conditions if relevant (many policies exclude them)
- Clear claim steps and evidence requirements
When private health insurance is worth it for international students
Once you understand what the NHS and surcharge do, private insurance becomes a choice, not a mystery.
For most long term students, private medical insurance is best viewed as a top up for specific needs, not a replacement for the NHS.
When it can make sense
Private cover may be worth considering if you want:
- Faster access for some non urgent consultations or diagnostics
- More flexibility in appointment times
- Access to specific services you want to bundle, such as dental or optical add ons
- A private pathway for treatment options you prefer, depending on policy terms
What to check before you buy
Before choosing a policy, compare these points:
- Hospital list and network: can you use hospitals near where you live?
- Outpatient limits: specialist appointments and diagnostic tests can be capped
- Excess: what you pay first if you claim
- Exclusions and waiting periods: especially for pre existing conditions
- Mental health coverage: included, optional, or excluded varies by policy
- Claims process: what evidence is needed and how reimbursement works
Example private health insurance premiums (UK) – checked on 15 February 2026
These are provider-published examples, designed to give an indication of price under stated assumptions. They are not “average UK student premiums”.
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Provider
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Example premium shown
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Assumptions stated on source
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Date checked
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Source
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AXA Health
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£40.29 per month (also shown as £1.34 per day)
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30 year old, Bournemouth BH8 8AQ, outpatient cover, inpatient cover (max 3 consultations), cancer cover, £250 excess, foundation hospital network
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15 Feb 2026
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https://www.axahealth.co.uk/health-insurance/private-health-insurance-costs/
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AXA Health
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£49.62 per month (also shown as £1.65 per day)
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40 year old, Bournemouth BH8 8AQ, outpatient cover, inpatient cover (max 3 consultations), cancer cover, £250 excess, foundation hospital network
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15 Feb 2026
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https://www.axahealth.co.uk/health-insurance/private-health-insurance-costs/
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Aviva
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“On average, less than £47.00 a month”, “equivalent to £1.53 a day”
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Aviva’s own pricing statement, with factors listed such as age, location, claim history, cover, and excess
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15 Feb 2026
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https://www.aviva.co.uk/health/health-products/health-insurance/
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Important: premiums vary by age, location, underwriting, excess, hospital list, and optional extras. Use examples only as a starting point, then get a personalised quote.
Step by step: set up healthcare in your first week in the UK
Now let’s make this practical.
Step 1: Register with a GP near your term time address
The NHS explains that GPs are the first point of contact for nearly all NHS patients and that you register with a GP practice.
UKCISA also tells students they need to register with a GP when they arrive.
What you may need: your passport, proof of address, and your visa details. Some GP practices request specific documents, so check their registration page.
Step 2: Understand what an NHS number is
You may hear about an NHS number. It is a unique identifier for your medical record. In most cases, your priority is GP registration and getting help when needed, rather than chasing the number immediately.
Step 3: Know where to go when you need help
- Non urgent health issue: contact your GP practice
- Urgent but not life threatening: use NHS 111 for advice and direction
- Emergency: call 999 or use Accident and Emergency
Step 4: If you take regular medication
Bring a summary from your home clinician, including medicine names and doses, and plan a GP appointment early so you are not scrambling later.
Costs you should budget for (even with IHS)
You have already handled the biggest cost through the surcharge, but you should still plan for day to day health spending.
Common categories
- Prescriptions, especially in England (see the England costs box above).
- Dental treatment (charges often apply unless you qualify for an exemption).
- Eye tests and glasses (often chargeable unless exempt).
- Over the counter medicines
- Travel vaccines if you plan trips during study
Country differences
UKCISA splits guidance by England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland because rules and charging can differ.
Resources and support for international students
If you want the most reliable help, use these channels first:
FAQs on health insurance for international students in the UK
Do international students need health insurance in the UK?
Most long term students need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge during the visa application to access NHS care on broadly resident like terms.
How much is the Immigration Health Surcharge for students?
GOV.UK lists £776 per year for students and their dependants.
Does paying the surcharge mean all healthcare is free?
No. You still pay for what residents pay for, such as prescriptions (England), dental treatment, and eye tests, unless you qualify for an exemption.
Do dependants pay the surcharge too?
Yes, the surcharge is payable by each applicant and dependants pay as well.
I am studying in the UK for 6 months or less. Do I pay the surcharge?
If you apply from outside the UK for 6 months or less, GOV.UK says you do not need to pay the surcharge.
If I do not pay the surcharge, can I still use the NHS?
Short term students and visitors can be chargeable for NHS care, so you should not assume treatment will be free.
How do I access NHS care after I arrive?
Register with a GP practice.
What should I do in a medical emergency?
Call 999 for an ambulance or go to Accident and Emergency for emergencies. For urgent advice, use NHS 111.
Are prescriptions free for international students in England?
Not automatically. The current charge is £9.90 per item in England, unless you qualify for an exemption.
Can a Prescription Prepayment Certificate help me save money?
Potentially. PPCs currently cost £32.05 for 3 months and £114.50 for 12 months (England).
Can I use an EHIC in the UK as a student?
In some cases, yes, but it depends on your nationality, your status, and whether your stay counts as temporary. UKCISA is the best starting point for students because it explains healthcare access by student scenario.
What is a GHIC, and does it cover healthcare in the UK?
A UK GHIC is primarily for UK residents to access necessary state healthcare when travelling in certain countries abroad, not for overseas students arriving in the UK.
I am a UK resident studying in the EEA or Switzerland. How do I apply for a student UK GHIC or EHIC?
The NHS explains you may need a letter from your university or college with specific study details to apply for a UK Student GHIC or EHIC.
How do I extend a student UK GHIC?
NHSBSA sets out the process and the email address to contact for extensions, including what details to include.
How common is private medical insurance in the UK?
ABI data says insurers processed a record £4 billion in individual and workplace private medical insurance claims in 2024. LaingBuisson reports more than 8 million people were covered by private medical insurance in 2024.
Conclusion
Health insurance for international students in the UK is usually not about buying a separate policy first. For most Student visa holders, it starts with paying the Immigration Health Surcharge during your visa application so you can access NHS care on broadly the same basis as UK residents for the duration of your immigration permission.
Once you understand what is included and what still costs extra, you can decide whether private medical insurance is worth it as a top up. Finally, register with a GP soon after arrival and learn the right routes for urgent and emergency care, so you can focus on your studies with fewer surprises.