Health and wellbeing
Find out about staying healthy whilst studying at NTU, including the Immigration Health Surcharge and registering with a doctor in the UK.
Settling in a new country involves getting used to a lot of differences. It can mean going through many changes — environment, climate, food, customs, and culture. It's important that you take care of your health and wellbeing. See the Healthy NTU website for more information, including top tips from NTU students about settling in, looking after your health, and how to get help.
The British Council also offers a free course to support the transition to life and study in the UK. It covers a range of topics including: dealing with cultural shock; understanding the UK higher education system; building healthy habits; creating social connections; achieving study-life balance and more.
You must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) if:
- you're an international student, and
- you're studying in the UK for six months or more.
This is part of your visa application.
You're entitled to free healthcare on the National Health Service (NHS). Your spouse and children are also entitled to free healthcare if:
- they're with you in the UK, and
- they hold a dependant visa.
Free healthcare includes:
- consulting a doctor, also known as a 'general practitioner' or 'GP'
- treatment in a hospital, including emergency treatment.
Charges apply for prescriptions and specific GP services, e.g. travel vaccinations.
If your course lasts under six months:
- you won't normally receive free healthcare, except in limited situations
- it's important that you take out medical insurance to cover your stay in the UK.
Find detailed information about healthcare and NHS entitlement on the UKCISA website.
If you're an EEA, EU, or Swiss national studying on a short course, you need a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Get this before coming to the UK for your studies. This card entitles the holder to free NHS treatment in cases where you fall ill or have a medical emergency. See our information for EU and EEA students webpage for further information.
We recommend that you register with a doctor soon after your arrival in the UK. It will make it easier for you to access medical services if you get ill.