Health Insurance

Students studying in Europe

If you do not hold an EU passport, you will need to apply for a UK GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card). This replaces the existing European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The card is free to obtain and you can use this card to access medically necessary state-provided healthcare when you are visiting an EU country of Switzerland. Medically Necessary Healthcare means healthcare that reasonably waits until you come back to the UK. Your GHIC is not a substitute for travel insurance. It may not cover all health costs and never covers repatriation costs. Make sure you have travel insurance as well as your card.

Your GHIC must be valid for your entire stay. For further information and to apply/ renew a GHIC for your study placement, visit the NHS website.

Health Insurance Plan

All students completing a placement outside Europe will need to purchase health insurance. As a minimum, an insurance policy should cover accident and illness, medical evacuation and repatriation. The details of health cover will vary depending on your host country.

Students going to the US or Australia will have to purchase health insurance for the duration of their exchange. This is a condition for obtaining a student visa in these countries. Insurance is normally purchased through the host university as part of the application process, although a private policy can sometimes be substituted. Details can be found on individual host university websites. Where health insurance plans are mandatory through the host university, you agree to purchase of this plan when accepting your exchange place.