1. Welcome /
  2. Prepare /
  3. Health and vaccinations

Health and vaccinations

Make sure you know who your term-time doctor is, and which vaccinations you need to have.

Register with a doctor

If you are moving to Sheffield to attend Hallam, you should register with Hallam Medical Centre. You can do this online, and you don't have to wait until you have moved in.

Register with Hallam Medical Centre

Stay at home if you're feeling unwell 

We advise you to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you:

  • Have symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as Covid
  • Have a high temperature
  • Do not feel well enough to carry out normal activities
  • If you leave your home while you feel unwell, avoid close contact with others and crowded spaces. Consider wearing a face covering or mask

Good hygiene measures on campus

  • Wash your hands regularly with soap and water
  • Use hand sanitiser positioned at the main entrances to our buildings
  • Wipe down shared workstations and equipment with sanitising wipes provided by the University
  • Cover coughs and sneezes
  • Let fresh air in if meeting others indoors, where possible
  • Keep up to date with vaccinations
  • If you use hypodermic needles for medical reasons (e.g. diabetes), you must dispose of them safely off campus—do not leave them unattended or dispose of them in general waste. Carry used needles with you until you can dispose of them properly at home.
  • If you find needles on campus, contact the help desk at ext. 4444 (0114 225 4444) for disposal, or reach Security Services at City Campus (ext. 2000 / 0114 225 2000) or Collegiate Crescent Campus (ext. 2574 / 0114 225 2574)

Check your vaccinations

Before starting university, make sure you are up to date with your:

  • MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine

  • Meningitis vaccine

Meningitis vaccination is particularly important for students under 25, as the risk can increase when living in shared accommodation. If you're unsure whether you've been vaccinated, check with a parent or carer, or contact your GP.

If you need the MMR or meningitis vaccines, arrange them as early as possible before arriving at university, as immunity takes time to develop.

MenB vaccination programme

The Department of Health and Social Care has announced a one-off vaccination programme to protect young people against meningococcal B disease (MenB) ahead of the 2026 academic year. Eligible students are highly encouraged to book their appointments to receive the vaccine as soon as possible.

The MenB vaccine is not routinely provided by NHS GPs. Eligible students can receive it through the national programme, which requires two doses given at least 26 days apart.

Who is eligible?

  • Young people in Year 13 (or equivalent final year of school) born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008.
  • Students under 25 who are starting higher or further education for the first time in autumn 2026 and who will be living in student accommodation or halls of residence.
  • Eligible international students, as well as students in the UK Devolved Administrations and Crown Dependencies.

International students are encouraged to receive their first MenB vaccine dose before arriving in the UK where possible.

How to book

  • UK students aged 17 and 18 can book through the NHS National Booking Service for appointments at participating community pharmacies.
  • Other eligible students should contact a participating pharmacy directly to arrange vaccination.

Further information about the programme and eligibility criteria is available on the UK Government website.

Healthcare in the UK for international students

The National Health Service (NHS) is the UK’s public health service. If you paid an NHS surcharge at the time of making your Student visa application, you can access a range of health services. You will not have to pay for hospital treatment, but you may have to pay for dental treatment and medicines.

If you did not pay an NHS surcharge at the time of your visa application then you should get medical insurance for the UK as you will have to pay for NHS treatment, except for emergency healthcare. You will not have to pay for emergency treatment, but will have to pay for follow-up care, hospital treatment, dental treatment and medicines.

You should register with Hallam Medical Centre as organised by the International Experience Team during your orientation session in your first week. If you miss the planned session you should register as soon as possible.

If you come from a country where there is a high-risk* of contracting tuberculosis (PDF, 155.7KB), you will need to be tested for Latent Tuberculosis, we describe this as being inactive or “asleep”. You may have had an x-ray in your home country to detect live Tuberculosis. To detect dormant or “asleep” Tuberculosis you must have a simple blood test when arriving in the UK. If you are positive for Latent Tuberculosis, you will be provided with treatment by the NHS (National Health Service).

Hallam Medical Centre provide drop-in clinics in welcome week and will also contact you when you have registered to make sure you attend for the test. This testing is part of the requirements of you studying in the UK so please ensure you are tested as soon as possible after you have arrived. You will also need to provide a valid medical certificate to show you have undergone live TB screening (the x-ray) and that it is not present.

If you need MMR or Meningitis ACWY vaccinations or a TB screening test* ensure you book a date/time for your appointment by calling the medical centre after registering. 

If you have been vaccinated for any of the illnesses listed above, please bring proof of vaccination to your appointment.

If you are not vaccinated, please ring the medical centre to book an appointment as soon as you arrive. It is important you keep the appointment you book or cancel if you are unable to attend. 

*Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease which can have a slow onset of symptoms and cause poor outcomes for individuals if left untreated. The Collaborative TB Strategy for England recommends systematic testing and treatment for 16 to 35 year olds who recently arrived in the UK from high incidence countries. This testing is part of the requirements of you studying in the UK so please ensure you book an appointment for testing as soon as possible after you have arrived. 

 

Related content