Health
If you are studying on a course of six months or more you are entitled to free health care on the NHS (National Health Service) from the beginning of your stay. You will receive free hospital treatment, but you will have to pay for dental treatment and medical prescriptions (other students also pay for dental treatment and medical prescriptions this is not specific to International Students). Currently medical prescriptions are £5.00 per item. You should register with a doctor (a General Practitioner (GP)) and a dentist soon after arrival. You can find the nearest dentist and doctor to your accommodation at this website by entering your postcode.
Most doctors and dentists will only see you if you are ill if you have already registered with them therefore it is important that you do this once you arrive. Staff at the International Centre can help you with registering with a doctor and dentist after arrival. In an emergency, you can receive free medical treatment in the Accident & Emergency (A&E) department at two local hospitals: Western General Hospital and Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.
NHS 24 is a telephone service staffed by nurses. This helpline is available 24 hours a day and interpreters are available to assist.
Safety
Edinburgh is a safe and friendly city, although students should be aware that it is a major city and should take care accordingly. A lot of it is common sense, but students should be careful about travelling alone at night, carrying large amounts of cash and using unlicensed taxis. It is advisable that you purchase insurance for your belongings in the unlikely event of any accidental damage or theft.
The British Council also publish a Safety First brochure (PDF document, 589 KB) about safety in the UK which you may find useful.