Are Medical Costs High in the UK? An In-Depth Explanation of the UK NHS and Related Costs

Studying in the UK for three or four years, students will inevitably need medical services, ranging from minor colds to serious injuries. Students might worry about high medical costs in the UK due to their non-citizen status. To address these concerns, Cyclopes will introduce what the UK NHS system is and the related costs of the UK NHS, helping students understand their potential medical expenses while studying in the UK.

Source: Freepik

The NHS (National Health Service) in the UK refers to both the British government's national health department and the national public healthcare service system. The NHS aims to provide comprehensive, high-quality, and mostly free medical services to British citizens and eligible non-citizens. Funded primarily by government allocations from taxpayers, British citizens enjoy free NHS services. However, non-citizens must pay certain healthcare costs.

Students from outside the UK staying for more than six months must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), set at £470 per year for students (and £624 per year for other visa categories). This fee is expected to increase to £776 in January 2024. All individuals requiring a visa to stay in the UK must pay the total IHS fee for the duration of their stay at the time of visa application. For example, a student planning to study in the UK for three years must pay the total IHS fee of £1,410 when applying for a visa. If staying less than a year, the IHS fee is £235 per half year.

Source: Freepik

Most medical services provided by the NHS are free for patients, including general practitioner (GP) consultations, emergency services, and hospital treatments. However, some services require patients to cover part of the costs, such as:

Prescription Medications: In England, adult NHS beneficiaries pay a prescription fee for medicines. However, certain groups, including children and adolescents under 16, seniors over 60, low-income individuals, and some chronic disease patients, receive prescription medicines for free.

Ophthalmology Services: The NHS only provides free eye examinations and eyeglass fitting vouchers for the aforementioned groups or individuals with vision impairments. Therefore, adults with normal vision and without financial difficulties, such as students, still have to pay for these services.

Dental Services: NHS dental treatments are not free. Patients must pay for treatments, though generally less expensive than private dental clinics. NHS dental services are divided into three bands, costing £25.80, £70.70, and £306.80, with emergency dental services classified under the first band.

Private Room Stay: Staying in a private room incurs higher costs than NHS-provided room types. Patients must pay extra if they choose treatment in a private room.

Non-Emergency Medical Services: In the UK, NHS free medical services are limited to emergency care. Non-emergency services, such as scheduled health check-ups or dental examinations, may require out-of-pocket expenses.

Source: Freepik

According to the UK's medical system, one must first register with a GP clinic to receive treatment there. After arriving in the UK, students should promptly register with a nearby GP clinic. When choosing a GP, consider the clinic's reviews and daily patient flow to avoid difficulties in obtaining timely consultations.

Understanding what the UK NHS is and its related costs alleviates concerns about expensive medical treatments during your studies in the UK. Cyclopes continues to share various information related to studying in the UK for prospective students. If you have any questions about studying abroad, feel free to consult our professional UK education consultants, and we will do our best to provide solutions tailored to your needs.