Healthcare in the UK

The National Health Service (NHS) is the UK’s state healthcare system. 

It provides a range of healthcare services including doctor’s appointments, hospital treatment and dental care. 

You should register with a doctor as soon as possible after your arrival in Cambridge. 

  • Your College may be able to recommend a doctor’s surgery (known as a General Practitioner or GP). 
  • You will need your passport and a letter from your College as proof you are a student. 

The GP will be your first point of contact for your health needs and will refer you to a specialist where needed. 

Most Colleges also have a nurse who can advise students on any health issues. 

Visit the Student Support website's Physical Health section for further information.

If you have a long-term health condition: 

  • Bring documentary evidence from the doctor in your home country (in English) and provide this when you register with a doctor in the UK. 
  • You may wish to ask for an appointment to discuss your needs. 

If you are receiving ongoing medical treatment or taking medication:  

  • Bring with you a doctor’s certificate (in English) confirming the treatment and/or any medication you are receiving. 
  • If you need ongoing medication in the UK, the GP reception will explain how they arrange repeat prescriptions for when you are anticipating your first supply of medication to run out. 
  • If you are taking medication prescribed for ADHD, you must bring evidence of your diagnosis from a specialist psychiatrist – without this, GPs in the UK will not be able to issue you with a prescription. 

GPs reserve the right not to prescribe certain medication and not all medication from outside the UK is available on the NHS.  

  • The GP will sometimes be unable to prescribe the medication you are taking because it is not used in the UK or because of NHS prescribing restrictions. 
  • If you have specialised medication or are in any doubt, you are advised to bring a supply with you. 

Prior to travelling to the UK, it is advisable to check with your transport provider what medications you are allowed to carry with you. There are certain restrictions on bringing medication into the UK and information is outlined on the government website. 

If you require urgent emergency medical assistance and are unable to travel to the hospital: 

  • contact your College Porters’ Lodge if you are living in College accommodation 
  • dial 999 free from any phone and ask for the ambulance service

The nearest Accident and Emergency department is at Addenbrooke’s hospital. 

If you are ill or injured and need help fast but it is not an emergency, or you are not sure what to do, use NHS 111. 

You can either call free on 111 or use the online service. 

The NHS covers clinically necessary treatment at the dentist, although you will have to pay a contribution towards the cost. 

Information on how to find a dentist is on the NHS website, including in a dental emergency.  

It can be difficult to find a dentist that registers new NHS patients.  

You may have to register with a dentist as a private patient, in which case the cost of treatment will be higher. 

Eye care is provided by high street opticians, of which there are many in Cambridge. 

  • To purchase spectacles or contact lenses, you will need a British eye prescription, which you get from the optician following a sight test. 
  • Sight tests can be arranged by contacting the optician directly. 
  • The cost of frames, lenses and contact lenses varies. 

Student visa

If you are coming to the UK for 6 months or longer and have a Student visa, you will pay an immigration health surcharge as part of your visa application fees. 

Courses less than six months 

If you are from a non-EU country, you are generally advised to take out medical insurance. You will be liable for NHS charges for the treatment you receive in the UK except in a medical emergency and this is limited. 

Some countries have a reciprocal agreement with the UK which may entitle you to some free healthcare on the NHS, even if your course is less than six months. You should seek advice from the health authorities in your home country about what treatment will be covered. 

If you are from an EU country, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland, read the information on the government website about healthcare for visitors to the UK from the EU. 

Family and friends 

Family or friends visiting from abroad should take adequate health insurance.