If you're undergoing any medical treatment, have had any serious illnesses in the past or are registered disabled, please bring with you all your current prescriptions and a report from your doctor.  These documents will need to be in English, so you will need to arrange for them to be translated if they are not available in English.  The documents should give details of your condition, all treatment and/or medication you require and any assistance or support you will need while you undertake your studies. This will help ensure the smooth continuation of your treatment when you arrive in the UK.

At the airport, on arrival in the UK, you may be asked to produce health certificates detailing the vaccinations (including diphtheria, tetanus, polio, meningitis, measles, mumps and rubella) you have had, or if you are coming from a tuberculosis (TB) high-risk area, a chest x ray report. You may be asked to show these documents before you pass through immigration, so make sure that you have packed them in your hand luggage. To determine what inoculations you require check with the British Embassy or High Commission in your home country, as requirements will vary depending on your country of origin.

As an international student you, and any members of your family who have come to the UK with you, may be entitled to free or subsidised treatment in the UK under the National Health Service (NHS).  Generally your course needs to be of six months or more in duration to qualify.  If you are in the UK for less than six months, you may only receive free emergency treatment on the NHS.  However, if you are a national or resident of an EEA (European Economic Area) country, or are studying a full-time course in Scotland, you will receive this benefit regardless of the length of your studies.

Before you travel, you should seek advice from the health authorities in your home country about what treatment will be covered. If you are not entitled to NHS treatment, it is highly recommended that you take out medical insurance before you leave home or as soon as possible after you arrive in the UK. Find out more from our section on Insurance.

For a list of UK reciprocal health agreements go to the Department of Health website.

To receive any kind of treatment through the NHS, you must be registered with a doctor (sometimes called a GP or General Practitioner). It is best to arrange this as soon as possible after you arrive in the UK, once you have a permanent address, as it may delay your treatment if you need to see a doctor and are not registered.

If your school, college or university has a health centre, you may be able to register with a doctor there or they may be able to recommend a local doctor or GP. You will need to take proof of your student status, your passport and evidence of your address with you when you register. You will then be sent an NHS medical card with an individual identity code, which you can also use to register with a dentist. A consultation with your doctor is free, but you must pay for any medicines prescribed unless you are under 19 years of age and in full-time education (under 25 years in Wales).  A prescription costs £6 per item.  If you have a condition such as asthma that requires frequent repeat prescriptions, you may be able to save money by buying a prepayment certificate. Your doctor or student advisers will be able to provide you with details.

If you are eligible for NHS treatment, you can receive your dental treatment at a reduced rate. Once you have registered with a doctor and received your medical card you can register with a dentist. Some dentists only accept private patients, so make sure that the practice accepts NHS patients before you register.

Remedies for minor illnesses such as headaches and colds are available from high street chemists, most supermarkets and some other shops, such as newsagents.  They are available without a prescription from your doctor. If you are not sure what medication to take, rather than visiting your doctor, you can get advice from a qualified pharmacist at any chemist.

You can also contact NHS Direct, a 24-hour phone line, staffed by nurses, which offers quick access to health care advice. NHS Direct nurses will give you advice and support on self treatment, or if you need further help they'll put you in touch with the right service. If it is a serious condition or an emergency, the nurse will give you speedy advice on what you need to do, and will call an ambulance if needed.  You can find information and advice about the most common illnesses, and a range of treatments for them, on the NHS Direct website or by phoning NHS Direct on 0845 4647 (calls are charged at a local rate from the UK only).

The best way to stay healthy while you are in the UK is the same way that you would look after yourself at home: eat nutritious foods, exercise regularly and make sure you get enough sleep. With luck, you will complete your course without ever needing to see a doctor, but there are a few things you can do to boost your chances of remaining fit. During their first term, some students find that they suffer from more colds and fevers than usual, generally due to the change of pace and way of life. A simple way to avoid this is to boost your immune system with plenty of vitamin C, found in high concentration in citrus fruits, such as oranges or available as a supplement from most chemists and supermarkets.  Herbal supplements, such as Echinacea have also gained recognition and popularity as a safe and effective immune system booster. Exercise also helps to strengthen your immune system, so why not join a college gym or sports team and meet new people at the same time as keeping in shape?

If you have a disability of any kind, contact your institution before you arrive in the UK. Most institutions will make special arrangements for you that take your disability into account, anything from giving you printouts of lecture notes to allowing you extra time on examinations if writing is physically difficult for you.  The arrangements will differ according to your needs.