In order to access NHS healthcare in the UK, you must register with a doctor (also known as a General Practitioner or GP). Every Oxford College has an arrangement with a local GP surgery (medical centre that employs several GPs), known as their "College doctor." For Nuffield, this is Beaumont Elms Practice (previously named 19 Beaumont Street). The Beaumont Elms Practice is very close to the main Nuffield site, and you can register with them via the website at any time.

The College doctors are familiar with university forms and procedures should you ever need evidence of a medical condition for university purposes. Your care remains confidential, as with any other doctor.

To make an appointment at the GP surgery, students should either phone the reception team during working hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00am-6:30pm) or get in touch via the website. Consultations may be either telephone or face-to-face. You can also contact the surgery about vaccinations, including travel vaccinations; regular medications and repeat prescriptions; contraception; antenatal care; and cervical screening (smear tests).

Outside of usual working hours students should contact the 111 service if they need urgent medical advice.

More information about the College doctor can be found on their website. There is also an introductory video, which we encourage all new students to watch.

The National Health Service (NHS) is the national healthcare system in the United Kingdom, which is publicly funded. In order to access NHS healthcare in the UK, you must be registered with a GP (General Practitioner) such as the College Doctor. To see a specialist, you must usually be referred by your GP.

Students from the UK or Ireland, or those with indefinite leave to remain or those who have been granted pre-settled status or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme are eligible for free treatment under the NHS.

Students who require a visa (those not from the UK or Ireland, or those who do not hold indefinite leave to remain or pre-settled or settled status) and are studying full time for more than 6 months pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of their visa application, and this entitles them to access the NHS services free of charge.

A guide to healthcare in the UK can be found on the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website.

The following websites provide information about local sexual health services, including contraception and emergency contraception; STI testing and treatment; PrEP and PEPSE; pregnancy testing and support; abortion; and support following sexual assault.

Information about NHS dental care (including costs) can be found here and you can search for a dentist accepting NHS patients here.

Private treatment can be arranged as an alternative, but is expensive.

For out of hours emergency care, call the NHS 111 service for advice.

If your health is affecting your studies, we encourage you to talk to us about your situation as soon as possible, so we can advise you of the support available to you. Contact Eleni or Sarah for a discussion about your options.

The best path forward will depend on your specific circumstances, but may include:

  • applying for extensions or deferrals of deadlines
  • applying for mitigating circumstances to be taken into account when your work is marked
  • suspending your student status - this "stops the clock" on your course whilst you focus on your health

Students sometimes require alternative arrangements for their exams, due to medical, religious or other reasons. The Nuffield Academic Office supports students who need alternative arrangements for exams and submits applications for these arrangements to the Proctors on their behalf.

If you think you may need alternative arrangements, even if you are not yet sure, please contact Eleni, or Sarah so we can discuss the application process with you, and advise on what documentation you need to provide. You may also wish to contact the university Disability Advisory Service for advice if you have not already done so.

It is best to apply as early as possible for approval of alternative exam arrangements; the Proctors Office requests that applications are submitted by Friday of Week 4 of the term before the exam is due to take place. We recognise that this is not always possible, however, and so you should feel free to get in touch at any time.

There is more information about alternative exam arrangements on the University website.