Healthcare
Registering with a Medical Doctor
If you are on a course lasting for six months or more you can get most health care free of charge from the National Health Service (NHS), as can your spouse and any dependants of school age. This applies from the first day of your stay in the UK.
If you are from a country with a reciprocal agreement with the UK, you will be covered for hospital treatment even if your course is less than six months, but generally only if the need for your treatment arose after you came to the UK. All EEA countries are covered.
If you are an EEA student or Swiss National studying on a course of less than six months, and you bring a completed E128 form from your own national health authority, you and your family will be eligible for treatment for all conditions, including pre-existing ones. You must be an EEA resident who is 'ordinarily resident' in the EEA for this to apply.
If drugs are prescribed by a general practitioner or family doctor, a prescription charge is made per item - currently £7.10. If you are not eligible for free health care we cannot guarantee that the University Health Centre or your doctor will provide this for you, but you will still be given free emergency treatment (but not free follow-up treatment or hospitalisation). You are strongly advised to take out medical insurance from a reputable company to cover yourself and any dependants before you leave home.
Full details on how to register with a doctor (GP) will be available on arrival. In Exeter, there is a Student Health Centre on the Streatham Campus at the St Luke's Campus in Exeter is served by the Heavitree Health Centre. In Cornwall, the Tremough Campus is served by the Penryn Medical Centre. Application forms can be obtained from the International Student Support Office during Welcome Week or from the Health Centres direct if you arrive outside Welcome Week. The Health Centres are open weekdays 08:45 to 13:00 and 13:30 to 17:00
Private medical insurance
If you are on a short course (less than six months) you are not entitled to free health care under the National Health Service other than emergency treatment in a hospital casualty department. It is important, therefore, to take out comprehensive medical insurance before you leave your home country. Some countries have a reciprocal health agreement with the UK; please check with your British Embassy/High Commission. Private medical insurance is necessary if you are coming to the UK for less than six months. You must ensure you have adequate insurance cover as health care in the UK can be very expensive. Details of eligibility for NHS care can be found at the Department of Health website.
Medical history
If you will be registering with a doctor please ensure that you bring the following information for yourself and your family, if they are coming with you:
- Details of any past illnesses requiring medical treatment
- A full record of past immunizations
If you are currently taking medicines please make sure you bring adequate medication to cover the first few weeks at University. (Take your medicines or the empty containers to the Health Centre when you have your first doctor’s appointment).
If you have had a serious illness, if you are currently undergoing medical treatment or hospital investigation, or if you are currently taking medication, then a brief doctor’s letter in English, summarizing your medical history, will help the Health Centre to provide you with uninterrupted health care. Please do not send this in advance of your arrival but bring it with you when
you register at the Health Centre. You are responsible for any fee your doctor may charge.
Any information given to the Health Centre will be treated in strict medical confidence and will not be divulged to anyone without your consent.
Tuberculosis screening
When obtaining your entry clearance or on entry to Britain you may be asked to undertake a brief medical examination including a chest x-ray to exclude tuberculosis (TB) – this is a normal requirement and should not worry you. If you have had a recent medical check-up in your home country, please bring a letter from your doctor or hospital confirming the results.
Dentists
If you are eligible for NHS treatment you will be eligible for treatment from a dentist accepting NHS patients. Please note that dentists accepting new patients are extremely limited – hence the need for private insurance. There are charges for NHS dentist services based on a percentage cost up to a maximum of approximately £375.
Opticians
Eye tests are available at opticians, which can be found in the High Street. You will have to pay a charge of around £25 for an eye test. You will need to pay for lenses and frames which can cost from £35 to over £350.
