Basics
Insurance for students abroad: the main types of cover
Students moving abroad are often told they "need insurance" without being told which kind. There are four main types, and many students end up with more than one.
| Type | What it usually is | Where it is common |
|---|---|---|
| Public or national scheme | The host country's own health system, paid by a fee, a levy or contributions | UK (through the immigration health surcharge), Germany, Japan, the Netherlands if you work |
| Student health plan | A plan arranged by the university or required for the visa | US universities, Australian OSHC, Ontario's UHIP |
| International private medical insurance | A policy that covers medical care abroad for a year or more | Countries where students cannot join the public scheme |
| Travel insurance | Short-term cover for emergencies, delays and belongings on a trip | Short exchanges and travel during the course |
Start with the visa
The question to answer first is what your visa requires. Some countries name a specific scheme, such as Overseas Student Health Cover in Australia. Others set minimum levels of cover. Some require nothing for the visa but expect you to join a public scheme once you arrive.
Then the university
Many universities have their own rules on top of the visa. In the US, for example, a university may enrol you in its own plan automatically unless you show comparable cover.
Country guides
The pages on this site cover the UK, Australia, the US, Canada, Germany, Japan and the Netherlands. To compare the universities themselves, Universities DB lists universities by country.
This page is general information, last reviewed in October 2026. It is not advice, and rules change. Check the official source for your visa and your university's own guidance before you buy anything.