Centre for Student Affairs

University of the West of England

Is the National Health Service (NHS) free for international students or do I have to pay for any treatment?

Health care is free from the National Health Service (NHS) from the beginning of your stay if you are:

  • an EU/EEA student or
  • an international student on a programme of study of six months or more.

Even if you are covered for basic medical care, you may wish to have extra insurance to provide additional medical cover.

Details of doctors close to UWE campuses are given in the University Student Handbook or at 'Which doctor should I register with?'.

You should register with an NHS doctor as soon as you arrive in Bristol. A full and up-to-date list of doctors in the region is available on the Avon Primary Care Support Agency website. You can also telephone NHS Direct on (0845) 4647. If you have any difficulty registering with a doctor, you should contact the Avon Primary Care Support Agency on (0117) 976 6600.

University of the West of England, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, UK BS16 1QY
Telephone (+44 or 0) 117 965 6261 • Minicom (+44 or 0) 117 328 3644