The Ultimate Guide to Using the NHS for International Students
21 July 2023 • 4 min read
If you’re considering applying for a course in the UK, you might be curious about how the NHS works.
UniHomes has put together this guide to help answer any questions you might have about the NHS and how international students can access it.
This guide will answer the following questions:
- What is the NHS?
- Can international students use the NHS?
- How much is the NHS surcharge for international students?
- How do I get an international student NHS number?
Everything international students need to know about how the NHS works
What is the NHS?
The National Healthcare Service (NHS) is the healthcare system in the UK. It’s publicly funded, so most healthcare services are free at the point of use for UK residents.
Can international students use the NHS?
You can use the NHS services if you’re a full-time student studying in the UK for over six months.
You cannot access the NHS if you’re studying a short-term course under six months. In this case, it’s recommended that you take out private health insurance to ensure that you’re covered during your stay in the UK.
Although the NHS is free for UK residents, it’s not free for international workers or students in the UK. International students must pay an Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of the visa application process.
How much is the NHS surcharge for international students?
The NHS or Immigration Health Surcharge costs £776 per year of your intended stay for international students (according to the UK Government 2026). If part of your visa period includes part of a year that is six months or less, you only have to pay half the annual amount for that period, which is £388 for international students.
The surcharge must be paid as part of your Student visa application process and can’t be avoided. This is the case even if you intend to take out private medical insurance to cover your time in the UK.
Once you’ve paid the surcharge, there are no NHS fees for international students – you can access the full range of NHS services like UK residents. This includes:
- GP appointments
- Accident and Emergency (A&E) services
- Medical treatment at NHS hospitals
- Sexual health, family planning, and contraceptive services
- Psychiatric treatment
In most cases, you’ll still need to pay for medicines prescribed by a doctor if you’re studying in England. This costs £9.90 per item unless you’re under 19 and in full-time education, in which case it is free. In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, prescriptions are primarily free of charge.
You’ll still need to pay for dental care and optical treatments, as these are mostly not NHS services in the UK.
How do I get an international student NHS number?
You will have already paid your Immigration Health Surcharge as part of your Student visa application, but you won’t automatically receive an NHS number. You’ll only get this once you register with a local general practitioner (GP). Once you find your NHS number, you can access NHS services.
Registering with a GP as soon as you arrive rather than waiting until you get ill is best. Your university will most likely have a health centre attached to it which you can register with – and they can provide you with this information during Freshers' Week. However, you can also register with any local GP close to where you’ll be living.
To register with a GP surgery, you’ll need:
- Your passport
- A letter from your university proving you're enrolled there
- Any visa documents
Find UK student accommodation and private halls as an international student
Once your Student visa has been accepted and you’ve paid your NHS surcharge, it’ll be time to start thinking about where you’ll live...
Here at UniHomes, we work with letting agents across the UK to bring you a wide variety of student accommodation options – with bills included! So whether you're after a student house or private halls, we can help you find your perfect home-away-from home. Click here to find a student property in your uni city.
