How to find a doctor

International students who are coming to the UK for a course lasting six months or longer are entitled to full NHS care including hospital treatment from the commencement of their stay.  

When you register with a GP you should take with you an Official Student Status Letter to prove that you are studying with us at SOAS. These letters are produced once you have fully completed your enrolment.

Staying less than six months

For international students who are here for less than six months the situation is more complex.

Hospital services will incur a charge, except emergency health care within an accident and emergency department. All other hospital treatment will incur full medical charges, except where there are reciprocal arrangements with the UK and the student’s country of origin. Students may wish to arrange appropriate health and accident insurance to cover such costs.

It is important to register with a doctor as soon as you arrive. For dental treatment, you will have to pay some of the costs involved even as an NHS patient. Full details can be found at www.nhs.uk

Find out more about healthcare in the UK.

For all new students

Starting university is a new and we hope an exciting experience.

While you are at SOAS your health and wellbeing matter to us. That's why we want to make you aware of the importance of protecting yourself against meningitis.

Relatively few people contract meningitis but for those who do it can be very serious and young people under 25 are one of the key risk groups. If you can get to your GP (local doctor) before SOAS Welcome Week and arrange for your free vaccination we recommend you do that as there will be lots of other things to see to during Welcome Week, so good to tick it off in advance.

If that's not an option, you will be able to register with a GP (local doctor) during Welcome Week.

For more information check out Meningitis Now