Health and travel insurance information for students who plan to study English in the UK
We recommend all students have student travel insurance when studying English in the UK, so you can relax and enjoy your time studying.
Insurance can protect you if you lose your passport, need to end your course early due to illness, or need medical care while you are studying in the UK.
What kind of travel insurance do I need to study English in the UK?
We suggest you choose specialist international student travel insurance, designed specifically for students studying abroad.
Your language school or your agent can usually recommend insurance to meet your needs. Make sure to buy the insurance before you travel to the UK so you are protected from arrival.
What should my student travel insurance cover?
We recommend that you have an insurance policy that covers the cost of:
- Replacing a lost passport or visa
- Replacing luggage that is lost or stolen
- Course fees, if you need to end your course early due to illness or accident
- Medical bills in the UK, if you are ill or have an accident
- Emergency dental treatment
- Returning home for medical reasons (this is called repatriation)
Emergency health services in the UK are free for all visitors
All students can access emergency healthcare in the UK free of charge. If you need an ambulance in the UK, phone 999 (911 also works).
There is no cost to call an ambulance or for emergency services at public hospitals. There is a cost if you need to stay in hospital or if you need further treatment. International visitors will incur high costs for hospital stays or further treatment in the UK, so make sure you have insurance that covers all medical costs.
If you have a European Health Insurance Card, you can access the UK's public healthcare services free of charge.
You should apply for the card before you travel to the UK. You may need to show your card if you need treatment at a hospital or a doctor's surgery.
Immigration health surcharge - for students studying in the UK for more than six months
You must pay the immigration health surcharge if you apply for a visa to study for more than six months.
You pay the fee as part of your online visa application. You can then access national healthcare services in the UK during your stay.
If your visa is valid for between six and 12 months, the cost is currently £776. The cost increases with the length of the visa.
