The NHS provides health treatment for those living in the UK, most of which is free.

In a non-emergency, you can only access the NHS if you are registered with a General Practitioner (GP) at your local surgery. As soon as you arrive in London, you should register with a GP close to where you live. Do not wait until you are unwell. 

You can find your nearest GP by using the GP finder on the NHS website. 

Once you have done this check with your local surgery for opening hours and information on making appointments.  You may be asked to provide proof that you are a student when registering with a GP. We also recommend downloading the NHS app:

NHS app and your NHS account

That way you can access your medical records of treatment you may have received in the UK.

After you register with a GP, you will receive a personal NHS number which you should keep safe.

For more information visit Healthcare in the UK.

Student visa holders

Overseas students on full-time courses lasting 6 months or longer are usually eligible for NHS treatment. The UKCISA webpages (the UK Council for International Student Affairs) and the NHS website are good places for overseas students to find information about UK health services and eligibility for NHS care.

Even if you are eligible for NHS treatment you may have to pay for prescription medicines. Your doctor or local pharmacist can advise you.

If you have paid the IHS as part of your visa application, you won't need to pay any additional registration fees for NHS treatment in the UK.

Standard Visitor visas

If you are in the UK on a Standard Visitor visa e.g. as a Summer School student or a visiting research student, you will need to purchase travel insurance from your home country before travelling to the UK to access medical care in the UK.

Find out more about the services you can access on the following NHS web page:

Accessing the NHS as a Visitor

In an emergency you should dial 999 to call the ambulance, police, fire or coast guard services. This is a free call. A 999 call should only be made in a genuine emergency.

You can also visit the accident and emergency (A&E) department of your local hospital. Less severe injuries can be treated in minor injuries services and NHS walk-in centres, which treat patients without an appointment.

Find your nearest A&E
Find your nearest NHS walk-in centre

You may decide to take out private health insurance during your stay in the UK. There are many companies who provide a range of private services. LSE is unable to make recommendations about the best private health insurance provider for your needs.

If you miss any classes and/or seminars you must let the relevant teacher know so that they can mark you as absent with a reason on the register. If you do not inform them they will mark you as absent without a reason. 

Multiple absences will be investigated by your department and/or the Student Services so it is important that you are pro-active in letting us know.

If you expect to be absent for more than a week you can request an 'Approved Absence' from your Departmental Tutor or Programme Director. 'Approved Absences' are not guaranteed and evidence may be required.

Please remember that attendance is a key responsibility for Student visa holders.

Unfortunately there may be circumstances where your illness is long-term or you need to seek continuing medical care. 

If you are not well enough to continue your studies you should consider interrupting your studies.  

LSE would encourage this if you have missed an extended period of teaching or you are not considered 'fit to study' for example due to an extended period in hospital. 

Interruptions are not guaranteed and evidence will be required. 

For more advice contact the Student Advice and Engagement Team.

An illness may affect your academic ability and this may impact on your overall exam performance . 

LSE operates a 'fit to sit/fit to submit' policy, which means that if you submit an assessment you are declaring yourself well enough to do so. Therefore, if you are unwell you should carefully consider whether you are fit to sit/fit to submit.

There is more advice if you fall ill during your exams at What if... I become unwell during my assessments?