Medical requirements

You’ll need to have a TB test if all of the following apply to you:

• You’re coming to the United Kingdom (UK) for six months or more.

• You’ve lived in any of these listed countries for six months or more.

• You were living there (or another listed country) within the last six months.

The test must be taken at a clinic approved by the UK Home Office. You can find a list of approved clinics on the UK Government website.

As part of your student visa application, you’ll need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) to access the UK’s National Health Service (NHS). The NHS is the UK’s publicly funded healthcare system, providing essential medical services such as doctor's appointments, hospital care and emergency treatment.

The IHS is compulsory and costs £776 per year for students. The amount you pay depends on the length of your visa, not your course duration or where you apply from.

To calculate your Immigration Health Surcharge, use the official tool.

If you are applying for a visa for less than six months, you’re exempt from the IHS. However, this means you’ll only receive emergency NHS treatment and must arrange private health insurance to cover any medical costs during your stay. Travel insurance, which often includes health coverage, is usually purchased in your home country before departure.