How to register with a GP as a student

If you have moved away for university, registering with a GP near your term-time address means you can see a doctor quickly when you need to. This guide covers which surgery to register with, when to do it, and what happens when you go home in the holidays.

Written by the Bookable team · Reviewed September 2026 · Information based on NHS guidance

In short:

Register with a GP near your term-time address, not your family home.
You can only be fully registered (rather than temporarily registered) with one GP at a time.
Registration is free and you do not need ID, proof of address or an NHS number.
If you are starting university for the first time and are 25 or under, ask about the free MenACWY vaccine.

e.g. E15 4BZ

How to register as a student through Bookable

The quickest way is Bookable, where you register with an NHS GP surgery and book your first appointment at the same time:

Enter your term-time postcode to see NHS surgeries near you.
Compare surgeries by distance, availability and patient ratings.
Pick your first appointment time.
Complete your registration online in about 10 minutes. No documents needed.
Get a confirmation text and email. Your NHS number and any previous records will move to your new GP surgery automatically.

28,335 GP appointments are available to book online now.

Most students register and book a first appointment in one sitting

4.37

Which GP surgery to register with

Some universities have a health centre on campus. If yours does not have one, or it is not taking new patients, you can register with any NHS surgery near your accommodation.

It is worth registering as soon as you know your term-time address, rather than waiting until you are unwell. Freshers' week is when a lot of students get ill as lots of people arrive in one place with different viruses such as coughs and colds.

If you register locally, can you keep your GP at home as well?

No. The NHS lets you be permanently registered with one GP surgery at a time. When you register with a new surgery, your records transfer automatically and you are deregistered from your old one.

This is not a problem when you go home. See the section below.

What to do in the holidays

You do not need to switch your registration back and forth. If you need care while you are at your family home:

register as a temporary patient at a local GP surgery for up to 3 months, which does not affect your main registration
get emergency treatment at any GP surgery for up to 14 days
ask your university GP surgery for a phone appointment, as some conditions can be managed remotely
use a pharmacy for minor problems, NHS 111 for advice or an urgent treatment centre from something urgent out of hours

Vaccinations to ask about

Two vaccinations matter most for new students. You can ask about both when you register.

MenACWY protects against four types of bacteria that cause meningitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning). It is free on the NHS if you are starting university for the first time and are 25 or under, even if you had the MenC vaccine at school. Getting it at least 2 weeks before term starts gives the best protection. If you did not manage that, get it as soon as you can once you have registered.

MMR protects against measles, mumps and rubella. You need 2 doses for full protection. If you are not sure whether you had both as a child, ask your GP surgery to check your record.

Meningitis can feel like flu or a hangover and gets worse quickly. Learn the symptoms and get medical help urgently if you or a friend has them.

If you are an international student

Anyone living in the UK can register with a GP surgery, whatever their immigration status. It is free.

You do not need ID, proof of address or an NHS number. You will be given an NHS number when you register if you do not already have one. A surgery cannot refuse you because you do not have documents.

If your university course is longer than 6 months, you will normally have paid the immigration health surcharge as part of your visa. This covers your NHS care, including GP appointments.

Common questions

Do I need proof of address to register as a student?

No. A GP surgery cannot refuse to register you because you have no proof of address or ID. If a surgery asks anyway, a university accommodation contract or your offer letter is usually enough. You can also register through Bookable without any documents.

Should I register at university or stay with my GP at home?

If you spend more of the year at your term-time address, registering there is usually the better option. You get faster access to appointments, prescriptions and referrals, and your university surgery is used to student health needs. You can register as a temporary patient at home during the holidays.

What if the campus health centre is full?

You can register with any NHS surgery near your accommodation. Bookable shows you which nearby surgeries are accepting new patients and have appointments available.

Can international students register with a GP?

Yes. Registering with a GP and seeing a GP are free on the NHS for anyone living in the UK, whatever your immigration status or visa type.

Do students get free prescriptions?

Not automatically. In England, prescriptions are free if you are under 16, or 16 to 18 and in full-time education. Most students aged 19 and over pay the standard NHS prescription charge. Prescription rules are different in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, where prescriptions are free.

How long does student GP registration take?

Traditional registration can take days or sometimes weeks to confirm, plus more time to book a first appointment. With Bookable you register and book your first appointment together, and you are usually registered in under an hour.