Your health and wellbeing are an important consideration ahead of starting university. The information below will help you understand the UK's healthcare system (if you are here for the first time) and how to access local healthcare services when you arrive in Belfast. If you are an international student remember that healthcare systems globally vary greatly, the UK system may be different than what you experience in your home country.
We encourage students to register with a GP (local doctor) – this is the best way to access non-emergency medical care. If you are a student from Northern Ireland, you may already be registered with a GP (local Doctor) service close to where you are from. It is your choice to remain registered with that service or to consider registering with a Belfast based GP.
If you have any queries on registration staff at the Student Information Point in One Elmwood can help (first floor).
The University Health Centre
You are encouraged to register with a Doctor (GP) as soon as possible. On site at Queen’s it is possible to register with the University Health Centre GP (local Doctor) Service. The University Health Centre is based Elmwood Manse, 7 University Terrace, BT7 1NP and is a one-minute walk from the One Elmwood Student Centre.
Registrations are accepted from the following catchment areas: BT1, BT2, BT3, BT4, BT5, BT6, BT7, BT8, BT9, BT10, BT11, BT12 and BT17.
It is however possible to register with an alternative GP practice and you can search for an alternative GP Practice here
The University Health Centre require processing time for all registrations. If you are an international student, you are encouraged to register as soon as possible after your arrival. You will require a letter from the Student Information Point in One Elmwood to do this and can get this as part of your enrolment at Queen’s. The University Health Centre does not accept registrations on Mondays.
The University Health Centre surgery can be contacted on 028 9066 4634.
Medication - If you take regular medication, supplying a medical history from your previous Doctor can help the Health Centre with your medication prescription requirements during your time in Belfast. Consider securing this information before departure and bringing it with you.
Emergency Medical Care
If you require urgent or emergency treatment you are advised to dial 999 (free from any public or private telephone) and ask for the ambulance service or go to a hospital emergency department. Emergency departments are also known as Accident and Emergency (A and E) or casualty departments.
In Belfast Emergency Departments are located at:
Go to the appropriate reception area on arrival for further advice and guidance.
Information on how to register with the practice for GP services depends on a number of factors including; citizenship, immigration status (if relevant); including how long you will be spending in Belfast.
Please note: If you are a student that normally resides outside the UK and Ireland you can register with the University GP practice if you are in going to be living in Belfast for three months or more. If are a student from outside the UK and Ireland and you will be living in Belfast for less than three months, you may wish to consider applying for private health insurance.
You must be registered with the practice in order to seek medical care and have more than 3 months left on your visa.
You can find out more about International Student Health & Healthcare including how the UK medical system works
The University Health Centre is based Elmwood Manse, 7 University Terrace, BT7 1NP and is a one-minute walk from the One Elmwood Student Centre.
Registration as an International student (EU, International, ROI and Isle of Man)?
All students hoping to register with the practice will be required to provide additional documentation to support their registration. For international students this includes:
Please be aware that your CAS letter can be used as course duration proof, but you still need a proof of address letter.
Registration as a student from NI, England, Scotland, Wales?
All students hoping to register with the practice will be required to provide additional documentation to support their registration. For the students above this includes:
The video below, from Dr. Cunningham, sets out guidance on how you can register with the University Health Centre.
*The Health Centre require processing time for all registrations, this is dependent on volumes of registrations received and you can enquire at the time of registering.
The current process for QUB GP Confirmation of Student Status Letters is that they can be obtained from QUB Student Registry Services via: https://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/srecords/YourStudentRecord/AttendanceEducationLetters/
Local doctors are also known as general practitioners, GPs. They look after the health of people in their community and deal with patients' different health problems.
GPs provide services including:
Check out the UHC website for further information.
Please note a Health and Care Card is not required for booking appointments. (their admin team are available for advice – please check our website for opening hours & contact times).
The Admissions and Access Service has been asked by the University’s Occupational Health Service to bring the following information to your attention.
Local, EU and international students aged up to 25 years and starting university for the first time, should get the Meningitis ACWY vaccine from their GP before going to university. The Meningitis ACWY vaccine will increase protection against four Meningitis groups (A,C,W and Y).
There is an increased risk of infection with meningitis spreading when people live closely to each other such as in university halls of residence and other shared accommodation. It is therefore recommended that students receive vaccination at least 2 weeks before starting university.
Meningococcal bacteria can cause:
Meningitis can cause death or long-term health problems including:
Symptoms of meningitis:
Meningitis can affect anyone, but is common in babies, young children, teenagers and young adults. Symptoms of meningitis develop suddenly and can include:
All students who are changing their GP or who are registering with one for the first time should choose a GP in the local area when starting university. If not already vaccinated, they can arrange to get this vaccine and other vaccines as appropriate. This should be done straight away – ideally in the first week of term – don’t leave it until later.
If you would like further information about meningitis vaccination, visit: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/men-acwy-vaccination-teenagers-and-students