Healthcare

• Prescription medication

  If you are an international student, you should check if your medication is registered and licensed for use in the UK before you arrive. If your medication is not permitted in the UK, you should get advice from your doctor at home about what alternatives you could access. 

  You can bring in a limited supply of medication with you when you enter the UK; please see UKVI's guidance on travelling with medicine. It is illegal to have prescription drugs mailed to you in the UK from any country.

  The NHS locally does carry an excellent and diverse range of medications that they are able to prescribe under the NHS label.  However, each doctor in the UK has a range of medication that they are familiar with and comfortable in prescribing and this may differ from what your doctor at home would normally prescribe. Please do not assume that you will automatically get the same medication here whether you are an international or a home country student.

  In order to receive prescribed medication, you will need to provide medical evidence that confirms diagnosis, what medication you are on and the dosage. You must provide this information to the medical practice when you register. Without this information, you will not be prescribed medication. Do not wait until you are nearly out of your medication as there can be a delay obtaining certain ones. It is strongly recommended that an appointment is made to meet with a doctor at least a month before your medication runs out. This is why it is important that you register with the medical practice in St Andrews. Not being registered will cause a delay in obtaining medication.

• Vaccinations

  Get the MenACWY vaccine

  All students under 25 must get the MenACWY vaccine before arriving in St Andrews. New university students are at higher risk of infection from meningitis and septicaemia, and the MenACWY vaccine protects against several meningococcal bacterial groups. You should contact your home healthcare professional to get the vaccine.

  MMR vaccine

  You should also have had the full double dose of MMR vaccine to protect from measles, mumps and rubella regardless of your age. If you have not had both doses, then you should contact your health practitioner to arrange this before leaving to come to St Andrews. If unable to access the vaccine, you may be able to access it from a doctor in St Andrews, but there is very limited stock for new students and you will be charged for the service.

• EU Settlement Scheme students

  If you have been given either pre-settled status or settled status, you will be eligible for healthcare through the National Health Service. 

• Student visas

  If you are studying at St Andrews under a Student visa, you will be charged an immigration health surcharge when you apply for your visa. The surcharge gives those on the Student visa the same access to NHS services as permanent UK residents.

  Find out more about the immigration health surcharge.

• Short course students (Standard Visitor visa)

  You will need a letter from the University which confirms that you have a place on a full-time course – the letter should say when your course starts and how long it lasts for (Student Status Letter).

  Students that are studying in St Andrews for less than 13 weeks cannot register fully with the medical practice. However, if an appointment is required to see a doctor or nurse, then you will be seen as a 'temporary resident'.