International students: Health Services and Wellbeing

international health webpage

Arriving to study at one the University of Nottingham campuses, you will experience a new social, cultural, and academic environment. This can be very exciting but may also feel challenging.

Whether you have just arrived at the University of Nottingham or have been here for some time, you will find information which can help to support you to live a healthy lifestyle and provide information on the UK Health system.

International Student Welcome Kit

The International Student Welcome Kit contains lots of useful information and guidance to support your transition into life at the University of Nottingham

Taking care of yourself at university

You may be living away from home, experiencing a different culture, trying to manage on a student budget and juggling a busy social life whilst studying. All this can impact on your health.

 To support you to make the most of your time at university, HealthyU is here to provide information and advice on a range of health issues important to students.

 Tips on self-care: Advice and suggestions on how to take good care of yourself.

 

Get involved

Campaigns and events are held throughout the year to support you to take good care of your health and wellbeing.

University events

SU events

Events for International students and scholars

 
 

Culture shock

Culture shock is the impact of moving from a familiar environment to an unfamiliar one like Nottingham. 

The UK culture may vary from your own regarding social behaviour, climate, language, food, and values. Over time most international students adjust to the different academic and living environment in Nottingham. The links below provide guidance, advice, and information on where to find support in the transition into living and studying at the University of Nottingham.

If you are finding it difficult to settle into living and studying in Nottingham and would like some help, click here.

UKCISA Advice on Facing Culture Shock

Understanding the culture shock cycle video 

Welcome to Nottingham

Six things you may find different about the UK

Top 5 tips for international students

Things I wish I had known before moving to the UK

 

Developing new friendships 

Maintaining and developing our relationships is essential for helping us enjoy study and life in the UK.  Issues such as confidence when speaking English can make this challenging.

 
 

The UK Health System

The UK health system can be complicated and very different to the health services provided in other countries.

Most international students use the state funded National Health Service (NHS). The NHS includes community and hospital services. Your visa status will determine how much you will need  to pay for the NHS in the UK. 

Resources

Health services available for Student Visa holders

General Practice services

A health centre or GP surgery is made up of groups of doctors known as General Practitioners (GP’s) and other health professionals. To gain access to most health care services in the UK, you must be registered with a General Practice.

 You can register with the University of Nottingham Health Centre (Cripps)

At Sutton Bonington campus students can register with the Orchard Surgery

 If you have a health problem, you must make an appointment to see a doctor (or General Practitioner/GP). It can sometimes take a few days to get an appointment.

 Your GP can provide treatment and advice for common ailments. You will have to pay for any prescribed medicines. Your GP may refer you to more specialist community or hospital services to receive the appropriate treatment and care.

 
  •  Dietetic and Nutrition Services
  • District Nursing Services
  • Community Mental Health Services
  • Podiatry
  • Physiotherapy services
  • Community Diabetes Services
  • Gynaecology
  • Orthopaedics
  • Dermatology 
  • Oncology
  • Maternity
 
 

Services which you must pay for in the UK

  • Dental Services – you can join a dental practice at the University Health Centre or in your local community. All treatments must be paid for – including emergency treatment.
  • Eye Services are provided privately through an optician. You can find an optician here
 

EEA and Swiss students must have a valid EHIC (European Health Card) otherwise hospital treatment will have to be paid for. This entitlement may have changed after 2021 due to Brexit.

 
 
Health Insurance is still required to cover emergency health related expenses such as lost fees if you are unable to complete your course;the cost of return home if a relative is ill; cost of relative visiting if you are ill; cost of returning to home country for treatment and cost of returning  a body to home country 
 

Health Services available for Short Stay Study visa holders

General Practice Services

A health centre or GP surgery is made up of group of doctors known as General Practitioners (GP’s) and other health professionals. To gain access to most health care services in the UK, you must be registered with a General Practice.

You will be registered as a “temporary resident” if you are staying in the UK for less than 3 months

 You can register with the University of Nottingham Health Centre (Cripps)

At Sutton Bonington campus students can register with the Orchard Surgery

 If you have a health problem, you must make an appointment to see a doctor (or General Practitioner/GP). It can sometimes take a few days to get an appointment.

 Your GP can provide treatment and advice for common ailments. You will have to pay for any prescribed medicines. Your GP may refer you to more specialist community or hospital services to receive the appropriate treatment and care.You will be required to pay for any hospital care your GP refers you to.

 
  • Dietetic and Nutrition Services
  • Community Mental Health Services
  • Podiatry
  •  Physiotherapy services
  • Gynaecology
  • Orthopaedics
  • Dermatology  
 
 

Services which you must pay for in the UK

  • Dental Services – you can join a dental practice at the University Health Centre or in your local community. All treatments must be paid for – including emergency treatment.
  • Eye Services are provided privately through an optician. You can find an optician here                         
 

If you or your family are from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and started living in the UK before 1 January 2021, you may be able to apply to the free EU Settlement Scheme.

 
 

Health Insurance - You are advised to take out medical insurance as you will be liable for NHS charges for any treatments you receive in the UK except for emergency care, contraception, sexual health and mental health services. The tariffs are very high. Your country may have a reciprocal agreement with the UK regarding your healthcare entitlement in the UK. If so, seek advice from your home country about what treatments are covered. If you already have health insurance at home, check to see if this can be extended to cover you whilst studying in the UK.

 

Health Services (NHS) in Nottingham

As a Student Visa holder, International students have the same access to UK health services as UK citizens. This means you will have to pay the same charges as UK residents for some health services.  

As a Short Stay Study visa student, you will have to pay for some community and all hospital health services.

To access most UK health services you must register with a General Practitioner (GP - a GP is a community-based doctor in the UK) when you arrive in the UK.  A GP can refer you to specialist hospital and community-based services.

General Practice (GP) services 

General Practices are groups of doctors/GPs and allied health professionals who provide a non-emergency health service in a community setting. They work from health centres, health clinics or surgeries to provide:

  • Contraception
  • Vaccinations (e.g. flu, travel vaccines)
  •  Asthma treatment and care
  • Referral to relevant counselling services if you are feeling low and anxious
  • Skin problem treatments for conditions such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, pigmented lesions (moles)
  • Diabetes
  •  Some minor surgery

 A General Practitioner (GP) can refer a person to a specialised hospital service.

Short Stay Study Visa holders will be charged for any hospital or specialised services they are referred to

To access GP services, you must register with a GP which covers the area where you live.

 When registering you should take proof of your identity and health information about any long-term health conditions and treatments that affect you

  • The Cripps General Practice based at the University of Nottingham Health Centre on the University Park Campus
  • Students at Jubilee Campus can register at Cripps OR at a General Practice which is nearer to where they live. You can find a GP near where you live here.
  •  At Sutton Bonington, students can register at the Orchard Surgery

Once registered appointments can be made for a consultation re non-urgent health concerns as outlined above. Usually you will have to wait a few days before you can see a General Practitioner.

Everyone must pay for any treatment prescribed by the GP. Charges are £9.15* per item. *price correct August 2020

 

 

GP + service 

All patients registered at a General Practice in Nottingham City can access additional routine appointments at evenings and weekends through the GP+ Nottingham City Service. 

The service offers appointments with:

  • GPs
  • Practice nurses
  • Clinical pharmacists
  • Physiotherapists

Appointments are available in a fully equipped, accessible location in Nottingham City.

 To book an appointment, patients need to contact the reception team at their GP Practice. (This might be Cripps or another General Practice in Nottingham City.)

 NB this service is not available to students who have registered at a General Practice outside Nottingham City – e.g. at a General Practice in Beeston or Sutton Bonington.

Address: 79a, Upper Parliament Street, Nottingham, NG1 6LD 

Monday to Friday: 16:00 – 20:00
Saturday:  09:00 – 13:00 and 14:00 – 18:00
Sunday: 09:00 – 13:00

 
 

Emergency services 

This includes a serious injury or life-threatening problem such as:

  • loss of consciousness
  • severe breathing difficulty
  • heavy bleeding
  • severe chest pain
  •  suspected broken bones
  • deep wounds (e.g. stab wounds)
  • swallowing something harmful or poisonous
  •  drug overdoses

 Location: Queens Medical Centre, Derby Road, Nottingham. How to get there and Building map