Healthcare
Looking after your health
If your course of study is for six months or more, you will qualify for treatment through the National Health Service (NHS) from the beginning of your stay, on the same basis as anyone who is ordinarily resident in the UK. Your family will also be entitled to NHS treatment. You are entitled to free treatment in NHS hospitals and you may register as a patient with a local doctor (GP – General Practitioner). To register, you should complete Form HS 22X, which is available from any Health Centre or at the University Student Health Centre. Most Health Centres have female as well as male doctors.
If your course of study is for less than six months, you will not be entitled to NHS hospital treatment, except in an emergency. GPs may agree to treat you for free, but this will usually be limited to urgent treatment that cannot be delayed until you return home. You will have to pay for any other treatment as a private patient. It is therefore very important that you take out medical insurance for the duration of your visit to the UK.
The UK has reciprocal health care agreements with countries in the European Economic Area (EEA) and certain other countries. EEA national students and their families should fill out form E128 in their country of residence. This form entitles the holder and his or her family to full NHS treatment on the same basis as students who are studying for six months or more. Students from other countries with reciprocal health care agreements may be covered for certain treatments, but may still need to take out limited medical insurance. Please contact the health authorities in your home country for advice.
It is advisable that students who are only here for approximately three months, and on regular long-term medication, should bring sufficient supplies with them. Medication from another country is not always prescribable in the U.K.
General medical supplies (vitamin supplements, painkillers, cough medicines etc.), health products, toiletries and cosmetics are available from local chemists and many supermarkets. For specific drugs and medicine, you will need to get a prescription from your doctor and this will be dispensed at a local pharmacy at the NHS rate of £3 per item. You will normally have to pay for dental and eye treatment.
For more information about keeping healthy during your studies, and advice on health care costs, you might like to refer to the UKISA website.
Students with disabilities
The Department of Student Support is here to help students to achieve the maximum benefit from their University life. Their purpose is to assist students, not only in relation to academic achievement, but in their social and personal development, and to help them plan their future careers.
Other useful information for students with disabilities may be found on the Skill website.
Swine Flu
The University of Ulster is committed to the continuous well-being of all its students and visitors and we have developed information relating to Swine Flu for you to access. Please visit the Swine Flu information webpage.