<p>The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is a mandatory fee paid by most international students as part of their visa application. It grants access to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) for the duration of your visa. Here is how it works, what it covers, and how much it costs.</p> <h2 id="tldr">TL;DR</h2> <ul> <li>IHS rate for students: GBP 1,035 per year (as of February 2024; subject to change)</li> <li>Paid upfront for the full visa duration at the time of visa application</li> <li>Total cost for a 3-year degree: GBP 3,105; 4-year degree (Scotland): GBP 4,140</li> <li>Covers: GP consultations, hospital treatment (including emergencies), mental health services, maternity care</li> <li>Does not cover: dental treatment (subsidised but not free), optical care, prescription charges (GBP 9.90/item in England), some fertility treatments</li> <li>You still pay the IHS even if you have private health insurance—there is no opt-out</li> </ul> <h2 id="how-much-it-costs">How Much It Costs</h2> <table><thead><tr><th>Course Duration</th><th>IHS Calculation</th><th>Total</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>12 months</td><td>GBP 1,035 × 1 = GBP 1,035</td><td>GBP 1,035</td></tr><tr><td>3 years (standard undergraduate)</td><td>GBP 1,035 × 3 = GBP 3,105</td><td>GBP 3,105</td></tr><tr><td>4 years (Scotland, foundation year + 3-year degree, placement year)</td><td>GBP 1,035 × 4 = GBP 4,140</td><td>GBP 4,140</td></tr><tr><td>5 years (medicine)</td><td>GBP 1,035 × 5 = GBP 5,175</td><td>GBP 5,175</td></tr></tbody></table> <p>If your visa duration includes part of a year (e.g., 3 years and 4 months), the IHS is calculated in half-year increments. Periods of 6 months or less are charged at half the annual rate (GBP 517.50). Periods over 6 months are charged at the full annual rate.</p> <p><strong>Student discount</strong>: The student IHS rate (GBP 1,035/year) is lower than the standard rate for other visa categories (GBP 1,035/year—the rate is the same but other visa holders may have different calculations). The current rate was set in February 2024. The IHS rate has been increased several times in recent years (from GBP 150/year in 2015 to the current GBP 1,035/year). Budget for further increases.</p> <h2 id="what-the-ihs-covers">What the IHS Covers</h2> <p>Once you’ve paid the IHS, you can access NHS services on the same basis as a UK resident:</p> <p><strong>Fully covered</strong> (no additional charge):</p> <ul> <li>GP (general practitioner) consultations</li> <li>Hospital treatment (inpatient and outpatient)</li> <li>Emergency department (A&#x26;E) visits</li> <li>Ambulance services</li> <li>Mental health services (including counselling and therapy through NHS)</li> <li>Maternity care (antenatal, childbirth, postnatal)</li> <li>Contraception services</li> <li>Diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases (including COVID-19)</li> <li>Palliative care</li> </ul> <p><strong>Partially covered</strong> (subsidised but not free):</p> <ul> <li>NHS dental treatment: Band 1 (GBP 26.80), Band 2 (GBP 73.50), Band 3 (GBP 338.70). Still significantly cheaper than private dental care</li> <li>Prescriptions: GBP 9.90 per item in England (free in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland)</li> <li>Sight tests and optical care: not covered for adults 19+ (private cost: GBP 20–30 for a sight test; glasses and contact lenses are private)</li> </ul> <p><strong>Not covered</strong>:</p> <ul> <li>Most fertility treatments (IVF)</li> <li>Assisted conception</li> <li>Cosmetic surgery not clinically necessary</li> </ul> <h2 id="how-to-use-the-nhs-as-an-international-student">How to Use the NHS as an International Student</h2> <h3 id="step-1-register-with-a-gp">Step 1: Register with a GP</h3> <p>Registering with a local GP is the first thing you should do after arriving. Your GP is your gateway to most NHS services.</p> <p><strong>How to register</strong>:</p> <ol> <li>Find a GP practice near your accommodation (NHS website: nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-gp)</li> <li>Check they accept new patients</li> <li>Complete a registration form (online or in person)</li> <li>Provide: your passport, BRP, proof of address (tenancy agreement or university accommodation letter), and your NHS number (if you’ve been assigned one)</li> </ol> <p><strong>Tip</strong>: Many universities have an on-campus or nearby GP practice that specialises in student health and is familiar with international student registration. Use this if available—it’s the easiest option.</p> <h3 id="step-2-making-an-appointment">Step 2: Making an Appointment</h3> <ul> <li>GP appointments: book by phone, online (through the NHS app or practice website), or in person</li> <li>Routine appointments: may have a waiting time of 1–3 weeks (depending on the practice and demand)</li> <li>Urgent appointments: same-day slots are reserved for urgent issues (call first thing in the morning)</li> <li>Out of hours: call 111 (non-emergency medical advice) or visit an urgent treatment centre</li> <li>Emergency: call 999 or go to A&#x26;E (for life-threatening emergencies only)</li> </ul> <h3 id="step-3-prescriptions">Step 3: Prescriptions</h3> <p>If a GP or hospital doctor prescribes medication:</p> <ul> <li>The prescription is sent electronically to a pharmacy of your choice</li> <li>Present your prescription form (or just your name if sent electronically) and pay GBP 9.90 per item (England)</li> <li>If you need regular prescriptions, a Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC) costs GBP 32.05 for 3 months or GBP 114.50 for 12 months—worth it if you need more than one item per month</li> </ul> <h2 id="ihs-exemptions-and-refunds">IHS Exemptions and Refunds</h2> <h3 id="exemptions">Exemptions</h3> <p>You do not need to pay the IHS if:</p> <ul> <li>You’re applying for a visitor visa (6 months or less)—but you’ll pay for NHS treatment if you use it</li> <li>You’re a full-time student from an EU country with a valid EHIC/GHIC (in some circumstances—check current guidance)</li> <li>You’re in a specific exempt category (e.g., asylum seeker, victim of modern slavery)</li> </ul> <h3 id="refunds">Refunds</h3> <p>You may be entitled to an IHS refund if:</p> <ul> <li>Your visa application is refused (full refund of IHS paid)</li> <li>Your visa application is successful but you don’t come to the UK</li> <li>You leave the UK before your visa expires and have at least 6 months of unused IHS (refund for full 6-month blocks only)</li> <li>You switch to a different visa category and paid the IHS twice (refund for the overlapping period)</li> </ul> <p>IHS refunds are not automatic—you must request them through UKVI. Refunds are paid to the card or account used for the original payment.</p> <h2 id="private-health-insurance">Private Health Insurance</h2> <p>Some international students also take out private health insurance. This is not required—the IHS provides NHS access—but it can be beneficial for:</p> <ul> <li>Faster access to specialist consultations (NHS waiting lists can be long for non-urgent care)</li> <li>Private dental and optical care</li> <li>Repatriation to your home country for medical treatment</li> <li>Coverage for family members visiting the UK (they don’t have IHS)</li> </ul> <p>If you do take private insurance, the IHS is not optional—you still pay it.</p> <h2 id="faq">FAQ</h2> <p><strong>Q: Do I need to pay the IHS if I’m only studying for one semester (less than 6 months)?</strong> A: If you’re on a Standard Visitor visa (up to 6 months), you don’t pay the IHS and you’re not entitled to free NHS treatment—you’ll be charged 150% of the NHS tariff if you use NHS services. You should have comprehensive travel/health insurance. If you’re on a Short-Term Student visa (6–11 months for English language courses), you pay the IHS at the student rate.</p> <p><strong>Q: Can I use the NHS on the day I arrive in the UK?</strong> A: Yes. Your IHS coverage begins when your visa starts (the start date on your vignette). You can register with a GP and access NHS services from day one. There is no waiting period.</p> <p><strong>Q: What if I need ongoing treatment for a pre-existing condition?</strong> A: Bring your medical records, prescription details, and a letter from your doctor (in English) explaining your condition and treatment. Register with a GP immediately on arrival and book an appointment to discuss continuing your care. The NHS will provide treatment for pre-existing conditions on the same basis as any other medical need.</p> <p><strong>Q: Is dental treatment really not covered by the IHS?</strong> A: NHS dental treatment is subsidised (the Band 1/2/3 charging structure) but not free. You pay the NHS charge at the point of treatment. However, finding an NHS dentist accepting new patients can be difficult in some areas—you may need to use a private dentist, which is more expensive. Dental check-ups and treatment in your home country before departure are a good idea.</p>