Insurance

Make sure you have the right insurance. For some countries and universities you must purchase a local health insurance policy on top of your University of Leeds insurance, plus any top-up cover you may choose to buy.

insurance

UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS INSURANCE

If you are completing a study abroad year as part of your degree, you will automatically be covered by the University of Leeds travel insurance policy at no cost. The policy is a comprehensive travel insurance package but you should read the policy wording carefully before you travel, as there are some exclusions in both the healthcare and personal effects sections, as well as some limitations to where you can travel to on personal holidays during your year abroad. It is your responsibility to make sure that the policy fits your personal requirements and to make arrangements for additional cover, if necessary.

COUNTRY AND UNIVERSITY-SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

Many students will be required to purchase an additional health insurance policy depending on local legislation. Some countries have a nationwide insurance policy that all international students are required to purchase. In other countries, universities have their own mandatory health insurance policies.

The information below will give you an idea of insurance costs in countries that are known to the Study Abroad office to operate compulsory insurance policies. 

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list. Mandatory insurance policies requirements as well as costs may change without warning. 

EUROPEAN UNION

If you are going on a study placement abroad within the European Union that will last more than six weeks, you must apply for a Student GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card). If you hold a regular EHIC (European Health Insurance Card), this will not be valid for your study period abroad.

If placed at a host university within the European Union, the Study Abroad Office will provide you with a GHIC letter prior to your departure, which will allow you to apply for your Student GHIC online. Please note that currently, the Student GHIC only covers EU countries and not Norway, Iceland or Switzerland. You can find more information about this on the NHS website. 

Please also be aware that some overseas Consulates insist you also obtain a GHIC prior to travel. It is strongly advised that you check if this is a requirement of the country you are visiting and obtain one well in advance of your time abroad. 

Most of our partner universities in Europe have no mandatory requirements for University of Leeds students to purchase a local health insurance policy, however it is advisable to purchase a local health insurance policy, as there are limitations to the University of Leeds travel insurance and to the GHIC. There are some exceptions. If a European university requires students to purchase a local insurance policy, they will outline the details of this on their Fact Sheet, which can be found on Minerva in the Host University Catalogue.

AUSTRALIA

All international students studying in Australia must purchase the nationwide, government-run Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) in order to be eligible for a visa. OSHC can cost approximately $550 AUD (correct for 2022/23), though this may vary depending on the institution and most universities will recommend a preferred provider. If you choose not to purchase your host university’s preferred policy as recommended in your offer letter, be sure to seek advice from your host university as to the required length of coverage before committing to an alternative policy.

CANADA

All international students must purchase a university-specific health insurance policy dependent on the host university they attend. The costs outlined below are based on the 2022/23 academic year and are subject to change without notice (all figures quoted are in Canadian dollars and based on two semesters).

CHINA

Some universities in China require you to purchase health insurance, though others are happy to accept the University of Leeds travel insurance alone. China University of Political Science & Law, Southwest University of Political Science & Law, Nanjing University and Fudan University require students to purchase health insurance at the cost of 800RMB for the full academic year (correct for 2022/23).

HONG KONG

Most Hong Kong universities do not require students to purchase additional health insurance. The exception is Hong Kong University of Science & Technology (HKUST), who charge HKD3,000 (approximately £336) for health insurance for the full academic year 2022/23.

INDONESIA

Gadjah Mada University: Approximately USD240 for the full academic year 2021/22.

JAPAN

Students must register for National Health Insurance on arrival. The average premium is approximately 1,500-3,000 yen per month, but this varies considerably by university as the cost is heavily subsidised by the government and universities (correct for 2022/23).

KOREA

South Korean universities require students to purchase Korea’s national health insurance, at the cost of 40,000 KRW (about 35 USD) per month (correct for 2022/23).

LATIN AMERICA

Most of our partner universities in Latin America have no mandatory requirements for University of Leeds students to purchase a local health insurance policy, however it is advisable to purchase a local health insurance policy, as there are limitations to the University of Leeds travel insurance. 

There are some exceptions. If a Latin American university requires students to purchase a local insurance policy, they will outline the details of this on their Fact Sheet, which can be found on Minerva in the Host University Catalogue.

MALAYSIA

Monash University Sunway Campus: MYR 1,559 for the full academic year 2022/23

NEW ZEALAND

All international students must purchase a university-specific health insurance policy, dependent on the host university they attend, in order to complete registration. Currently policies cost approximately $670 NZD (correct for 2022/23). All students are expected to purchase the policy unless the host university agrees to waive it, based on the student having an acceptable alternative policy. 

SINGAPORE

All international students must purchase a university-specific health insurance policy dependent on the host university they attend. Costs vary between universities and the insurance policy is charged on arrival as part of a general student services fee at all Singaporean universities, which all exchange students must pay. The general administration fees outlined below are based on the 2022/23 academic year (figures quoted are in Singapore dollars and based on two semesters).

  • National University of Singapore: S$263
  • Nanyang Technological University: S$500
  • Singapore Management University: S$400

SOUTH AFRICA

University of Cape Town: You require medical aid cover from a medical aid scheme registered with the South African Council of Medical Aid Schemes before submitting your visa application. The cover must be for one year (renewable annually) or for the full duration of the study programme and intended stay in South Africa where this is shorter than one year.

The recommend two schemes are providing good medical cover and value for money:

The host university can advise on providers. This can cost around R370 per month of study. (correct for 2022/23)

THAILAND

Chulalongkorn University: Exchange students will be required to pay the University's health insurance fee of 2,000 THB per academic year (correct for 2022/23)

USA

All international students must purchase a university-specific health insurance policy dependent on the host university they attend, unless the university agrees to waive it. It is increasingly rare for US universities to agree to waive their insurance requirements due to the complexity of healthcare legislation and the high cost of healthcare in the USA. You will need to contact your host university after you have been accepted to enquire about the waiver request process. The costs outlined below are based on the 2022/23 academic year and are subject to change without notice (all figures quoted are in US dollars and based on two semesters).

  • Arizona State University: $2,861
  • Bentley University: $1,919 
  • California State University Monterey Bay: $1,300 (As of 202122)
  • California State University San Marcos: $1,851 (As of 202122)
  • California State University Sonoma: four options ranging from $310 to $3680
  • University of California Santa Cruz: $2,823
  • The College at Brockport (State University of New York): $1,490.90 as per 2021/22 rate
  • Colorado School of Mines: $2,600
  • Drexel University: $1,800
  • Embry Riddle Aeronautical University: $1,606
  • Florida International University: $1,000 
  • George Washington University: $1,100 - $1,650
  • Georgia Institute of Technology: $3,878
  • Juniata College: $1,616.
  • North Carolina State University: $2,550
  • Northern Arizona University: $2,861
  • Pennsylvania State University: $3,000 (As of 202122)
  • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute: $1,890
  • Stony Brook University (State University of New York): $ 4,079.50
  • Towson University: $3,200
  • University of Hawaii: two options ranging from $3247.56 to $3457.98
  • University of Kentucky: $2,641
  • University of Kansas: $2,050
  • University of Louisville: $2,462 
  • University of Minnesota: $1,398
  • University of Mississippi: $2,004
  • University of Nebraska: $2,372
  • University of New Mexico: four options ranging from $279 to $1,611 (As of 202122)
  • University of North Texas: $3122
  • University of South Carolina: $2,591
  • University of Rochester: $2,810 (As of 202122)
  • University of Vermont: $3,189
  • University of Wisconsin-Madison: $1656

VIETNAM

RMIT Vietnam: The insurance costs $251 USD (5,700,000 VND) per semester (correct for 2022/23).

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