Is insurance required in UK?

If you are an international student, then yes, you need health insurance. However, the health insurance you can acquire depends on the length of your study programme.You can access the National Health Service (NHS) as an international student in the UK, only if your study programme is 6 months or longer. for shorter courses you can apply Visa with private insurance policy.

You will have to pay £470 annually as an immigration health surcharge. The dependents also need to pay for it. If your visa application fails for some reason, this will be fully refunded (but not the visa application fee).

There are 2 types of insurance:

1. Health Insurance: Mandatory for students planning to study for more six months or more for themselves and for the dependents travelling with them. It will be chargeable as part of the application fee. It will be refunded if your visa application is not approved.

2. Travel Insurance: It is optional but is recommended to safeguard yourself against any incidents during the trip. It is important to note that not all travel insurance plans cover the same thing, so do check all the details and find the one that suits your needs

International Student  required to  pay the immigration health surcharge if you apply for a visa to study for more than six months. 
You pay the fee as part of your online visa application and access National Health Services in the UK during your stay. This includes free doctors appointments and hospital services. 
If your visa is valid for between six and 12 months, the cost is £470. The cost increases with the length of the visa.

International students do not need private medical insurance when studying in the UK, unless they are studying for less than six months, and therefore do not have a student visa. If you need a visa to study in the UK, as part of your application you will pay an Immigration Health Surcharge to gain access to the NHS.

International students in the UK have to pay £470 per year for health insurance. This is called an Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), and you have to pay it along with the visa fee when you apply for a student visa.