If your course of study is for six months or more, you will qualify for treatment under the National Health Service, from the beginning of your stay, on the same basis as anyone who is ordinarily resident in the UK.

The National Health Service is the UK's state health service which provides treatment for UK residents through a wide range of health care services. Some services are free and some have to be paid for.

The following NHS treatment is free for everyone:

• emergency treatment (but not follow-up treatment)
• family planning services
• diagnosis and treatment of certain communicable diseases
• compulsory psychiatric treatment

Students who are studying courses shorter than six months (such as a pre-sessional or pre-masters course) are covered only in case of emergencies and would not be covered for hospital treatment. Students in this case are recommended to get private health insurance.