Insurance
Health Insurance
If you are enrolling on to 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 enrolling on to a course that lasts for more than six months, you can have free treatment under the National Health Service (NHS). However, you will have to pay for any medicines prescribed by your doctor. A prescription currently costs £7.20 (as from April 2009).
Private healthcare and alternative and complementary treatments are available but they are not free of charge. Although the NHS service is free there are charges associated with eye tests, dental care and prescriptions.
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 if a member of your family comes to the UK to look after you.
Health Care
Health Care is provided under the National Health Service (NHS) by doctors (General Practitioners or GPs) located in surgeries close to where you are living. It is essential that you register with a doctor soon after your arrival so that any medical problems that arise can be dealt with.
Student Services have nurses who provide a range of medical services at the City North Campus, Gosta Green Campus and City South Campus medical rooms. They also have a contract with a healthcare provider called Handsworth Wood Medical Centre as well as lists of GPs for students who need to register with a doctor. This enables you to be seen quickly if you need medical attention for a past or present condition, near to the university campus. The medical service offered will enable you to see a nurse or nurse prescriber as a walk in service (no appointment is necessary) or a male or female doctor by appointment. This is a fully confidential, non-judgmental, non-discriminatory service.
Medical registration takes place at any of the medical rooms all year round but our main registration takes place on the 3rd weekend of September every year at many of the university accommodation sites or at the ‘Freshers’ Fair’ held at City North campus. For more information about healthcare, please click here.
Meningitis
Meningitis outbreaks occur all over the world with the peak times occurring in different months in different regions. The commonest strain in the UK is Group C Meningitis. The peak time for the UK is in early autumn around 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.
Travel & Personal Insurance
It is essential that you obtain travel insurance to cover you for your journey to Birmingham. This should cover delays and medical emergencies, as well as the cost of replacing any belongings that may be lost while you are travelling. You should obtain travel insurance before departure.
You should 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 premiums are not included in the fees for Birmingham City University Halls of Residence. The university’s Accommodation Services department strongly advise students to arrange their own personal possessions insurance cover.
Go to New Students: Prepare to Come to the UK