Posted on Friday, March 15th, 2013 at 9:45 am

In the 2011/2012 academic year there were 435,230 international students studying inside the United Kingdom (UK). This is a 2 percent increase from the 428,225 international students that the UK hosted in the 2010/2011 academic year according to UKCISA. With a growing number of international students comes an increased effort of ensuring that those individuals are safe during their time outside their home country, this means that some students will be eligible for coverage with the National Healthcare System- however, others many not be. International students studying in the UK will need to make sure they understand what insurance options they have available to them when it comes to health insurance. For students who are not eligible for the National Healthcare System, private health insurance will be needed.

Individuals in the United Kingdom utilize the National Healthcare System which they more commonly refer to as the NHS. Depending on the length of time a student stays inside of the UK to study, they may or may not be eligible for coverage. Here is the break down:

Tier 4 General Student Visa (more than 6 months): students have access to the NHS and may need to only supplement with private health insurance for international students in the United Kingdom

Tier 4 General Student Visa (less than 6 months): students will not have access to the NHS and will need to find private health insurance for international students in the United Kingdom

Student Visitor Visa- students will not have access to the NHS and will need to find private health insurance

Those who will need to find private health insurance for international students in the United Kingdom have many options. Three popular choices when it comes to choosing a reliable plan include the Student Secure, the Europe Travel and the Atlas Travel. Each of these plans will provide coverage for doctor visits, hospitalizations, emergency medical evacuation and repatriation of remains as well as many of their own unique benefits and currency payment options. With these three options you are able to find the plan with the benefit needs, currency of choice and budget that will meet your needs.

If you would like assistance finding international health insurance for your time as an international student in the UK, contact one of our agents today.

Group of people learning English as a foreign language in the United Kingdom photo courtesy of Shutterstock

Posted by Bryanna Davis

Bryanna joined International Student Insurance in 2011 after returning to the United States from teaching English in China. Her interest in international education, sparked initially by her own study abroad experience in Wales, led her to the company. Bryanna is originally from Missouri and is a graduate from the University of Central Missouri.