Register with a GP/doctor

All eligible students must register with a GP/Doctor when living in Edinburgh. This page will explain who is eligible, how to register and how to access medical assistance.

GP Registration

If you are studying in Edinburgh for longer than three months, you can register with your nearest doctor, known as a General Practitioner (GP).  If you are on a short-term visit or travelling from overseas see 'International students' guidance below.

Visit the NHS Lothian website for more information on how to register with a GP

Emergency medical assistance

If you are unable to get to a GP or need immediate or out of hours medical advice, you can:

Hospital treatment

For emergency services, including police, fire brigade and ambulance, call 999.

Emergency services are available to everyone in the UK, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Emergency Departments (Accident & Emergency)

Not sure who to contact

NHS Services (737.06 KB / PDF)

Student Health | NHS inform

Step 1 - Before you arrive - How to find a GP Practice

Healthcare in Scotland   

If you are already registered with a GP in another part of the UK, we recommend that you register with an Edinburgh practice, if that will be your main home whilst at University.

Find your local GP practices

Some GP practices fill up quickly with new students, so we recommend looking up at least three different options that are closest to your semester-time address in Edinburgh. 

Use the NHS link to find out which practice(s) cover your address

University Health Centre

The University Health Service is an NHS GP practice located on Bristo Square, Central Campus. This practice will register students who live within the area covered by the practice whether in private or university accommodation, if capacity allows after students have arrived in Edinburgh. 

All registrations are undertaken digitally via the practice website.  Please do not go to the practice to register in person.

University Health Service

Step 2 - When you start/arrive on campus - you can register with a GP Practice

Contact a GP practice 

You will be required to complete one or two forms for registration.

Details of how to register, the registration forms you are required to complete (including further documentation that will be required for proof of address/identity and student status) and the best way to return the forms will usually be outlined on the GP practice website and/or within the registration forms. Call the contact number on the GP practice website if you have any questions. 

After registering with a GP practice 

After you have registered, check that you understand how your GP Practice works – where you need to go to see a doctor, how you make an appointment, how you order a prescription, etc.

Some GP Practices are just open on weekdays, while some are also open on Saturdays and evenings. We recommend you look up the opening times of each GP practice on their individual websites. 

The following short video guide will talk you through the steps above and will outline who is eligible, how to register and how to access medical assistance.

Registering for a GP when you join us in Edinburgh is vital as it allows you to access medical services. A GP or general practitioner is a doctor in the UK. If you're staying in Edinburgh for more than three months, you can register for a GP near where you live. Even if you are already registered with a GP elsewhere in the UK it is a good idea to register in Edinburgh in case you need urgent medical treatment or medication. 

To find a GP near you, make sure you know where in Edinburgh you're staying. You can then use your postcode to search for GPs in your local area through the NHS Scotland Inform website. Once you're on the GPs website, find the patient or practice information page where you can access information on how to register. Please note that whilst there may be a GP practice near your accommodation, it may be outside of the GP boundary area. 

Normally, GPs will attach a map of the boundary. However, occasionally, they list the streets in words. If this is the case, you can use Google maps to plot these streets onto a map to form a boundary area. We recommend having a list of three potential options which you could sign up for when you arrive in Edinburgh. 

Once you've arrived and are looking to register with the GP, you must fill in registration forms with your personal details such as name, address, and place of birth. Registration can vary between GP practises. For example, some may require you to go into the practice to register, whilst others use online registration systems. Once you are registered, make sure you know how to make appointments, request prescriptions, and where you need to go to see your doctor. If you cannot find a GP that accepts new patients, don't worry. Some GPs take on new patients on a rolling basis, so they may have slots opening in the coming weeks. 

If you cannot find a GP within the first few months of arriving in Edinburgh, you can contact practitioner services. You can find the e-mail to get in touch with them on the register for a GP page on the new students. Remember, that in an emergency, you can contact 999 for an ambulance or 111 for non urgent medical advice. For more information on topics such as short term visits, ADHD medication, and existing medical conditions, you can visit the new students website.

Important information for international students

The National Health Service (NHS) is a free health care service for all residents of the UK. We recommend that you register with a local GP practice, who will provide medical care if required. You may also find some medications available in pharmacies and shops. 

If you are studying in Edinburgh full-time as a visiting student on the Standard Visitor route, you have access to free or affordable medical services provided by the NHS from the day you arrive until one month after your course end date. 

Find out more about how the UK medical system works 

NHS factsheet - Healthcare for People Coming to Scotland to Study

Existing medical conditions

It is very important to bring a comprehensive and up-to-date summary of your medical record with you and any proposed management plan (all written in English). 

If you suffer from an ongoing chronic illness, requiring regular medication, you must bring at least a 3-month supply with you and consult with your registered doctor soon after you arrive. It is helpful to carry your medication in its original packaging so that it can be easily identified. 

Not all medications used overseas are available in the UK, via the NHS, so it's important to have your own supply if time is needed to identify alternatives.

If you have a pre-existing medical condition, we strongly advise that you contact the Student Disability and Learning Support Service which will be able to provide advice and support about treatment and medication.

Student Disability and Learning Support Service

ADHD Medication 

In the UK, most ADHD medications are classified as controlled substances and require a hospital consultant's prescription. 

If you are coming to study in Edinburgh from overseas, to be prescribed ADHD medications you must see a National Health Service (NHS) consultant and a referral from your GP is necessary for this. Unfortunately, the wait for a NHS ADHD assessment is very lengthy. 

If you are taking medication for ADHD, we therefore suggest you try to bring a lengthy supply of medication with you, accompanied by medical reports relating to the psychiatric assessment you had for ADHD. Alternatively, you may choose to pay for a private assessment in the UK and pay for private prescriptions, but this can become costly.

If you have ADHD, we strongly advise that you contact the Student Disability and Learning Support Service which will be able to provide advice on the support available.

Student Disability and Learning Support Service

Short-term visits

If you are on a Student Route visa, you will have paid an ‘immigration health surcharge’ as part of the visa application process. This payment grants you access to NHS services (in the UK) from the day that you arrive up till the end-date of your visa. 

More information on the Immigration Health Surcharge 

You can still receive emergency treatment and 14 days of further medical support with your nearest GP if you:

  • are studying for less than three months
  • or were unable to register with a doctor straight away

In this situation, you should contact your local GP, explain that you are only staying in Edinburgh for a short time, and ask if they are able to see you. Please call as early in the day as possible​.

Visit the NHS Inform website to find out how to register with a GP:

Register with a GP

Non-EEA students studying for less than 3 months

You are not eligible for free NHS treatment and must take out private health insurance.

It must not be your intention to access healthcare when you travel. 

The National Union of Students (NUS) recommends Endsleigh, which has specific insurance for international students in the UK. You can use comparison websites to research the options available to you and select the insurance policy which is most suited to your situation:

Compare the Market

UKCISA information about medical insurance

I can't find a GP practice who are accepting patients

If all the GP practices in your local area are full, contact Practitioner Services using the contact details below. They can offer more guidance and, where necessary, allocate a practice to you.

loth.primarycareenquiries@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk

​​​​​Contact the Patient Advice and Support Service for more help

Personal information

There is no link between NHS services and the University, so the information you give the University is not shared with your GP and vice versa. You need to give consent for any GP information to be shared with the University. If you change your address, phone number, or email, you must let your GP practice know as well as the University.

There is no secure link between University or personal email addresses and the NHS so please avoid sending sensitive or personal information by email. If you do, your GP practice cannot respond to you in any detail.

Vaccinations and immunisations

The University encourages you to protect yourself by having the appropriate vaccinations.

Register with a dentist and optician

Information on how to access dental and optician services as a student.

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