Health Insurance for International Students in UK: Cost, Top Providers
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For any international student, studying in the UK can always be exciting, with new opportunities, places, and friends. But it is important to look after one of the most crucial necessities in this journey, which is your health.
International students coming to study in the UK are normally covered by the National Health Service (NHS), which can be availed by paying for an Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of the UK student visa application. We understand that it might be confusing for you to navigate student health insurance in the UK, and the universities in the UK also take the health insurance of their international students seriously. Hence, we have decoded this section of your UK visa journey so that your health stays protected while you enjoy your UK academic journey.
- What is the Significance of Medical Insurance for International Students in the UK?
- What is the NHS?
- What is the Cost of Health Insurance for UK Student Visa?
What is the Significance of Medical Insurance for International Students in the UK?
To secure wellness and happiness, medical insurance is mandatory in UK. It will give access to a variety of medical treatments and devices. Student health insurance, UK, will make your studies stress-free.
Check out benefits of health insurance in UK:
- It will allow you to benefit from top-notch medical services, hospitals, and emergency rooms in the UK. You will not have to worry about the medical expenses, allowing more focus on your studies.
- Having medical insurance for international students in UK is an important requirement for the UK visa application.
- The health insurance for UK student visa is beneficial as it will add protective coverage to your health from any medical costs while you are outside your home country.
What is the NHS?
Healthcare service or system developed in UK is funded by public.It is called National Health Service. It will provide medical services such as hospital care and access to doctors. Being an international student, you will gain access to free healthcare from the NHS if you are studying in the UK for over six months. You need to pay your Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) during your visa application, which will open access to NHS services.
Check eligibility for availing NHS services:
- You must study in the UK on a student visa for a period of six months or more.
- You must pay the UK health insurance fee for international students, which is the IHS fee, to be paid during your visa application.
- You need to prove your immigration status as and when you access the NHS services, which can be done online.
We also need to understand the importance of the NHS for international students. Here are a few points:
- You will be able to purchase medications at an affordable rate.
- You will get emergency services such as accident and emergency services, General Practitioner consultations, and hospital treatments.
What is the Cost of Health Insurance for UK Student Visa?
Being an international student, if you are going to study a course that lasts more than 6 months, you need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) of £776 per year, as discussed above. It is the student insurance fee in the UK. It is compulsory to pay this fee. Also, if you have any dependents living with you in the UK, then a different IHS fee needs to be paid for them.
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This is the cost of medical insurance for international students in UK, which will offer NHS services. Please note that this fee is for students studying courses above six months. And, for students opting for less than six months is £388.
Based on the age, location, and type of coverage, the cost of private healthcare ranges from £30-£200 monthly. Healthcare policies, on a basic level, will cost £30-£90 monthly. And, if, as a student, you are going for comprehensive healthcare, then it will cost you around £100-£200+ monthly. The student health insurance UK depend on the age. A person in their 20s can choose a £30-£90 monthly health insurance. While a person in their 40s or above needs to choose a bigger policy, covering different health services such as eye care, or surgeries, costing around £100-£200+ monthly. Choose a private healthcare insurance provider wisely and carefully.
The University of Staffordshire UK, ranks in and around the top 100 British Universities. According to the latest Shiksha Popularity Rankings, the University of Staffordshire ranks #107 in the UK.
When it comes to global rankings, Staffordshire University Global Ranking is #638 in the world.
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The medical insurance for international students in UK will cost £776 per annually. This is the Immigration Health Surcharge, paid during the visa application, along with the visa fees. This will allow the students to gain access to NHS services, which will make healthcare affordable, except for dental care, eye care, surgeries, or prescription medications. If there is a dependent accompanying the student, a separate Immigration Health Surcharge fee needs to be paid during the visa application fee payment. If one feels, one can add a private health insurance along with NHS services to cover the other aspects of healthcare, not covered by the NHS.