Healthcare

Access to healthcare while studying in Belfast will depend on a few factors.

The University Health Centre at Queen's is a National Health Service medical practice. Your citizenship, immigration status and length of time you are studying in the UK will impact on how you access healthcare while living in Belfast. As a student on a Visitor Visa for Study (less than six months) you will not be entitled to free NHS care. More general information on healthcare while studying at Queen's can be found here.

COVID-19 Testing: All students regardless of immigration status will be able to access COVID-19 testing in Northern Ireland via the Public Health Agency free of charge. You can find out more about COVID-19 here.

VISITOR VISA FOR STUDY (INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS STUDYING FOR LESS THAN SIX MONTHS)	STUDENT VISA (FORMERLY TIER 4- INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS STUDYING FOR A FULL ACADEMIC YEAR)
If you are an international student studying for less than six months in the UK you are advised to take out private medical insurance as you are not entitled to free general NHS care and will be liable for charges for any treatment you receive in the UK. You should always firstly check with your insurance to see what private providers in Belfast they will cover. Often students will make an appointment with a local private provider such as Kingsbridge Private Hospital which is located on the Upper Lisburn Road, which is on the number 9 Metro bus route. For any minor ailments it is recommended you visit a pharmacy where a pharmacist can provide free advice. You will however have to pay a small charge for any over the counter treatments they recommend. The closest pharmacies to campus are located on the Stranmillis Road, Botanic Avenue and Dublin Road. If you are on any medication you should bring a supply with you to cover your stay where possible.	Those applying for a Student Visa and coming to the UK for 6 months or longer will be required to pay an immigration health surcharge as part of their visa application fee. The immigration health surcharge will entitle Student Visa holders to access NHS care in the UK at no additional cost in the same way as a permanent UK resident. You can register with the University Health Centre and may receive free NHS care.

VISITOR VISA FOR STUDY

(INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS STUDYING FOR LESS THAN SIX MONTHS)

STUDENT VISA

(FORMERLY TIER 4- INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS STUDYING FOR A FULL ACADEMIC YEAR)

If you are an international student studying for less than six months in the UK you are advised to take out private medical insurance as you are not entitled to free general NHS care and will be liable for charges for any treatment you receive in the UK.

You should always firstly check with your insurance to see what private providers in Belfast they will cover. Often students will make an appointment with a local private provider such as Kingsbridge Private Hospital which is located on the Upper Lisburn Road, which is on the number 9 Metro bus route.

For any minor ailments it is recommended you visit a pharmacy where a pharmacist can provide free advice. You will however have to pay a small charge for any over the counter treatments they recommend. The closest pharmacies to campus are located on the Stranmillis Road, Botanic Avenue and Dublin Road.

If you are on any medication you should bring a supply with you to cover your stay where possible.

Those applying for a Student Visa and coming to the UK for 6 months or longer will be required to pay an immigration health surcharge as part of their visa application fee. The immigration health surcharge will entitle Student Visa holders to access NHS care in the UK at no additional cost in the same way as a permanent UK resident.

You can register with the University Health Centre and may receive free NHS care.