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Indian Student Navigates UK’s NHS and Learns the System

When Neha Kapoor landed in the UK to begin her master’s in Biomedical Engineering, she anticipated academic pressure, cultural change, and the British weather. What caught her off-guard, however, was learning to navigate the UK’s public healthcare system , the National Health Service (NHS).

“For international students, healthcare here is very different from what we’re used to,” Neha shares. “In India, you just walk into a clinic. Here, there’s a process.”

Her first NHS experience came during a severe winter cold. Upon arrival, her university’s international student office had advised her to register with a local GP — a vital step for accessing NHS services covered by the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) paid during the visa process.

When over-the-counter remedies didn’t help, Neha booked an appointment online. “The digital booking was convenient,” she says, “but the appointment wasn’t immediate, I had to wait a few days. That was new for me.”

Despite the delay, she found the consultation reassuring. “The doctor listened, asked detailed questions, and explained everything patiently,” she recalls. “The care felt thoughtful and thorough.”

Still, not all parts of the system were smooth. When she needed to see a dermatologist for a recurring skin condition, she faced another hurdle: the referral system. “In India, you can directly go to a specialist. Here, I needed a referral from my GP, and it took a few weeks,” she says.

Such wait times are common in the NHS, where non-emergency cases are t based on urgency. While Neha understood the rationale, the delays clashed with her packed academic schedule.

Yet affordability was a major plus. “In India, private consultations can be expensive. But here, the IHS covers most things, including prescriptions,” she says. With prescription charges capped, Neha didn’t have to worry about unexpected bills.

She also found value in the university’s health and well-being resources, from free mental health counseling to stress relief workshops. “The support systems here go beyond physical health. They take mental wellness seriously,” she notes.

For Neha, the NHS experience has been a mixed but educational one. “It’s not what I’m used to, but I’ve learned patience and how to ask for what I need,” she says. “It’s part of adapting to life in a new country.”

Her experience echoes that of many Indian students studying abroad, adjusting not just to academic life but also to new societal systems. While challenges like appointment delays or referral procedures may test newcomers’ patience, the overall accessibility and affordability of healthcare remain key strengths.

As Neha settles into her academic routine, she says the NHS, despite its complexities, gives her peace of mind. “I know if something goes wrong, there’s a system I can rely on and that’s a huge comfort when you're far from home.”