Health and safety

Health

Settling in a new country involves getting used to a lot of differences and can mean going through many changes in terms of environment, climate, food, customs and culture. In these busy and sometimes stressful times, it is important that you take care of your health and wellbeing. See the Stay healthy section of the NTU website for more information on this.

All international students who are studying in the UK for six months or more are entitled to free healthcare on the National Health Service (NHS). Their spouse and children who are with them in the UK are also entitled to free healthcare, provided they hold a dependant visa. Free healthcare includes consulting a doctor (also known as a General Practitioner or GP) and treatment in a hospital, including emergency treatment. Charges apply for prescriptions and specific GP services, e.g. travel vaccinations.

If your course lasts for less than six months, it is important that you take out medical insurance to cover your stay in the UK, as you will not normally receive free healthcare except in limited situations.

EEA/EU/Swiss nationals studying in the UK for less than 6 months will need to get a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before coming to the UK. This card entitles the holder to full free NHS treatment.

Detailed information about healthcare and NHS entitlement can be found on the UKCISA website.

We recommend that all international students register with a doctor soon after their arrival in the UK. It will make it easier for you to access medical services if you get ill.

Safety

In general, Nottingham is a safe place to live, but you are advised to take sensible precautions to protect yourself and your belongings. For example, we recommend that you take out adequate insurance. Endsleigh is a company that specialises in insurance cover for students and is recommended by the National Union of Students. They offer a package specifically for international students.