Healthcare in the UK
We know that your health and wellbeing is an important consideration ahead of starting university.
You’ll be fully briefed on health and safety as part of your Welcome and induction activities. In the meantime, familiarise yourself with the UK's healthcare system, how to access local healthcare services when you arrive in Manchester and what vaccinations you should have.
We encourage all our students to register with a General Practitioner (GP or local doctor) – this is the best way to access non-urgent medical care. You can register with the University GP Service before you arrive in Manchester, or with another local practice if you know your term-time address. Find out how to register with a GP.
Meningococcal B (MenB): Young people starting university this autumn can get free Meningococcal B (MenB) vaccines. It’s important that you’re protected, as meningococcal infections can be very dangerous and are a leading cause of bacterial meningitis. First year students are more likely to contract MenB because of mixing with new social groups. The infection can spread through close contact like kissing, sharing vapes or drinks, or sharing accommodation with someone who is unknowingly carrying it.
The MenB vaccine is given in two doses, four weeks apart. Arrange to get your first dose as soon as you can, to be fully protected before starting university.
If you are over 18 but under the age of 25 and are starting university this autumn for the first time, you can get a walk-in MenB vaccine at a pharmacy. You can search for a participating pharmacy online, from 20 July.
You do not need to be registered with a doctor in the UK (known as a General Practitioner, or ‘GP’) to get a walk-in MenB vaccine at a pharmacy, though you will need to register with a GP to access other medical services through the NHS and we recommend you do this soon after arriving.
There are several strains of the meningococcal infection and, the MenACWY vaccine also gives good protection against MenA, MenC, MenW and MenY. If you're unable to access this vaccine in your home country, you can get it from your GP (local doctor) once you’ve arrived.
Measles, Mumps, Rubella: Measles cases are on the rise in the UK, and we strongly recommend you get vaccinated against it before travelling. The vaccine is known as the MMR, and provides protection against measles, mumps, and rubella. You may have been offered the MMR vaccine as a child. If you’re not sure whether you received it, check with someone who has knowledge of your medical history. This could be a family member or caregiver. We recommend bringing a copy of your vaccination and medical history with you, if possible.
If you haven’t been vaccinated against measles, and are unable to access it in your home country, contact your local GP to arrange this. If you don’t have a GP, you can register at the on-campus GP practice or find a GP near to your home.
Tuberculosis: Depending on where you're from, you may also need a certificate to prove you are free from infectious tuberculosis (TB) as part of your visa application.
COVID-19: We strongly encourage you to get a COVID-19 vaccine before travelling to the UK.
You can access urgent or emergency care from the NHS online, via the phone by calling '111' for urgent medical advice or '999' in an emergency, or by going to an Accident and Emergency (A&E) department. We suggest you familiarise yourself with the different ways to get medical help before you arrive on campus. Find out more about how to get urgent and emergency care.
If you are studying in the UK for longer than six months and you require a visa, during the application process you must pay a mandatory 'immigration health surcharge'. This allows you to access the National Health Service (NHS) – you will not be charged any additional fees when you seek medical care, except for some dental services.
Find out more about the immigration health surcharge.
There are some cases where people do not have to pay this surcharge, including anyone applying to the EU Settlement Scheme.