Does UK IHS Cover All Risks for International Students? Healthcare & Travel Insurance Explained (What Students Often Miss)

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): What It Actually Covers

The Immigration Health Surcharge is paid during your UK student visa application and gives you access to NHS services under similar conditions to UK residents.

What IHS Covers 

• GP (doctor) consultations
• Hospital treatment
• Emergency medical care
• Mental health services (through NHS pathways)
• Treatment during your visa validity period

What IHS Does NOT Cover

• Medical costs before NHS registration

• Private hospitals or clinics
• Prescription charges (often partially paid by students)
• Dental, optical & physiotherapy (mostly paid)
• Medical evacuation to home country
• Travel disruptions or baggage loss

Key takeaway: IHS = healthcare access inside the UK, not end-to-end protection.

Travel insurance steps in where IHS stops, especially during:

• International travel
• Transit stops
• First few weeks before full NHS onboarding
• Non-medical emergencies

What Student Travel Insurance Typically Covers

Medical & Emergency

• Emergency treatment before NHS registration
• Private hospital care (if NHS wait times are long)
• Emergency evacuation or repatriation

Travel Risks

• Flight delays & cancellations
• Lost, stolen, or delayed baggage
• Passport loss or theft

Student-Specific Protection

• Study interruption due to illness or emergencies
• Sponsor protection (some plans refund unused tuition)
• Personal liability cover

Popular Travel Insurance Providers in India

• Tata AIG
• ICICI Lombard
• Bajaj Allianz
• HDFC ERGO
• Reliance General Insurance

Globally Recognised Student Insurance Providers 

• Allianz Travel
• AXA Assistance
• World Nomads
• IMG Global
• ISIC Student Insurance

Many Indian insurers now offer UK-specific student plans aligned with visa and university needs.

Here’s the surprising part

Typical Cost Range

• ₹8,000 – ₹15,000 per year for student travel insurance
• Even premium global plans rarely exceed ₹20,000–₹25,000
  

Compare That With Study Costs

• UK tuition fees: ₹12–30 lakhs per year
• Living costs: ₹8–15 lakhs per year
  
• Travel insurance = less than 0.5% of total study cost
• But it can save lakhs during emergencies

That’s why advisors often call it “the cheapest peace of mind abroad.”

This misconception isn’t limited to the UK.

• UK → IHS
• Australia → OSHC
• Europe → Public health access

None of these systems cover all student risks.

Government health schemes are designed to:
Reduce public healthcare burden
Not to cover travel, personal, or logistical emergencies

Travel insurance completes the protection loop.

Students with proper travel insurance experience:

• Faster medical access during emergencies
• Financial protection from unexpected costs
• Stress-free handling of lost documents or baggage
• Smoother transition during the first weeks abroad

Students without it often face:

• Out-of-pocket emergency expenses
• Delays in care
• Panic during travel disruptions

Navigating visas, healthcare rules, and insurance fine print can feel overwhelming-especially for first-time international students.

At My Study Offers, experienced overseas education advisors help students:

• Understand IHS and NHS access clearly
• Choose the right travel insurance plan (not overpay)
• Prepare documents before departure
• Avoid last-minute risks during travel and arrival

Paying the Immigration Health Surcharge is mandatory  and important.
But it does not cover everything.

Travel insurance:

• Costs very little
• Covers what government healthcare does not
• Protects both students and parents from financial shocks

For students investing heavily in international education, skipping travel insurance is a risk not worth taking.

Do international students need health insurance in the UK?

Yes. Most students must pay IHS to access NHS healthcare.

Does IHS cover travel or baggage issues?

No. IHS only covers healthcare within the NHS system.

Is travel insurance mandatory?

Not mandatory, but strongly recommended due to coverage gaps.

When should students buy travel insurance?

Before departure — ideally once visa approval is received.

Can Indian travel insurance be used in the UK?

Yes, many Indian providers offer UK-compliant student plans.