We do not operate an on-campus health centre, so in case of emergency it is important that you register with a medical practice that is close to your accommodation, either on or off campus.   

The University Health Centre at Queen's is an independent National Health general medical practice located next to the Student Centre. The practice provides both student-focused and general National Health services. Further information relating to the University Health Centre and how to register can be found here. 

We recommend that you sign up to a GP as soon as possible after your arrival. Find your nearest GP practice or Out of Hours GP for urgent medical treatment (you can contact them before you have your GP registration completed).  It can take up to 8 weeks to register with a GP, therefore, it is very important to register as soon as possible.   

It is also important to register with a local dentist as no dental facilities are operated by the university. Find your nearest dental practice or Out of Hours dentist for emergency.

Medical Support for International Students

Information on how to register with the practice for GP services depends on a number of factors including; citizenship, immigration status; including how long you will be spending in Belfast. 

If you are a student that normally resides outside the UK and Ireland you can register with a GP practice for the duration of your stay if you are in going to be living in Belfast for three months or more. 

As an international student, you can find out more information here. 

You must be registered with the practice in order to seek medical care and have more than 3 months left on your visa. The University Health Centre accept registrations from students residing in the BT1-BT12 and BT17 catchment areas. Please note that it will take approximately 8 weeks to get your NHS card. 

If you are eligible to register with a GP, we strongly recommend that you do within the first few weeks of arriving in the UK. Find your nearest GP practice or Out of Hours GP for urgent medical treatment (you can contact them before you have your GP registration completed).  It can take up to 8 weeks to register with a GP, therefore, it is very important to register as soon as possible.  

It is also important to register with a local dentist as no dental facilities are operated by the university. Find your nearest dental practice or Out of Hours dentist for emergency.

Private Health Insurance

If are a student from outside the UK and Ireland and you will be living in Belfast for less than three months, we would encourage you to consider applying for private health insurance. This is very important as private treatment without insurance can be extremely expensive! 

Medicines containing controlled drugs cannot be posted to you from overseas. They should be imported for you by a registered pharmaceutical wholesaler, who can apply for any licences needed, in response to an order from a pharmacy in the UK. Please do not obtain medicines from unregulated websites or sources as you may be breaking the law by obtaining prescription-only medicines from outside the legitimate supply chain.. 

If you need to stay in the UK longer than you initially planned and are running out of your medicine, you must obtain further supplies of medicine by consulting a UK clinician. 

Charges may be payable for the services of a clinician or any prescription charges. 

*Please note that for temporary residents in the UK, including students, can travel with a small supply of any prescribed controlled drug-containing medication (up to a 3 month supply) and obtain further supplies by consulting a UK clinician. Medicines containing controlled drugs cannot be posted to you from overseas.