If you are on a programme of study of less than six months, we strongly advised to take out personal medical insurance, unless you come from another EU/EEA country or a country with a reciprocal health agreement. EU/EEA students are advised to contact the health authorities in their country in order to obtain and complete Form E128.
If you are not an EU/EEA citizen, please check with your nearest British High Commission or Embassy whether a reciprocal agreement is in force with your home country and for what types of treatment you are covered.
If you do not have private health insurance, you will only get free hospital outpatient treatment in the case of an accident or emergency or because you suffer from a particular communicable disease such as malaria or tuberculosis.
If you are on a programme of study for more than six months you are entitled to free medical treatment from the National Health Service (NHS). To receive treatment from the NHS, you need to register withan NHS doctor as soon as you arrive in Bristol. You also need to be registered with a doctor to qualify for NHS dental treatment, unless you need urgent care.
Even though you are covered for basic medical care through the NHS, you may wish to have insurance to provide additional medical cover. You may find that there are long waiting times for some services; an insurance policy that gives you access to private medical care could give you quicker access to the treatment you need.