Health cover and personal insurance
Health insurance
If you are taking a course that lasts for less than six months you must ensure, prior to arrival, that you have adequate medical/health insurance to cover your medical expenses in the UK.
If you are taking a course that lasts for more than six months, you can have free treatment under the National Health Service. However, you will have to pay for any medicines prescribed by your doctor, with a standard prescription currently costing £7.20 (December 2010).
You should consider private medical insurance in the event that you become seriously ill. This insurance could cover the cost of you returning home or a member of your family coming to the UK to look after you.
Meningitis outbreaks occur all over the world, with the peak times occurring in different months in different regions. In the UK, the most common strain is Group C Meningitis and the peak time is in early autumn (October). To minimise the (small) risk to you the Chief Medical Officer for Health in England has recommended that all new students should be vaccinated against Group C Meningitis before coming to university. You should contact your own doctor about this as soon as possible.
Alternatively you could contact Healthcare Services within the Student Services department when you arrive at Birmingham City University.
Health care
Your health care will be provided by doctors (general practitioners or GPs) located in surgeries close to where you will be living. It is essential that you register with a doctor soon after you arrive. Our Student Services team keeps a list of doctors you can register with.
Student Services also employs nurses who provide a range of medical services at the City North Campus, Gosta Green Campus and City South Campus medical rooms.
Travel and personal insurance
It is essential that you obtain travel insurance before departure to cover your journey to Birmingham. This should cover delays and medical emergencies, as well as the cost of replacing lost belongings.
You should also insure your personal property against loss or theft as soon as possible after arriving. Endsleigh Insurance, banks and other insurance companies also provide insurance for personal possessions and computers. It is worth shopping around to check out the different premiums on offer, as the cost and the cover may vary considerably depending on the type of accommodation and the area in which you are living.
Please note that insurance cover is not included in the fees for Birmingham City University halls of residence. Our Accommodation Services department strongly advises students to arrange their own personal possessions insurance cover.