If you are studying abroad, you will be covered by the University of Warwick Overseas Business Travel Insurance Policy (please ensure to click on this link and read the full information on the policy)Link opens in a new window however, this is not private health insurance hence it's strongly recommended that you secure additional travel insurance to provide non-emergency health cover. Some host universities may also require additional health insurance which can vary in cost and might be compulsory so please check this before you travel as students are responsible for covering all health insurance costs.

If you are undertaking a work placement abroad, you will also be covered by the University of Warwick Overseas Business Travel Insurance PolicyLink opens in a new window however, you won't be covered for personal liability on the placement (so your ‘employer’ should insure you for the local equivalent of employer’s and public liability insurance).

Please note that under the University of Warwick Overseas Business Travel Insurance PolicyLink opens in a new window, the emergency medical cover aspect is not available to students who are spending the year abroad in their home country.

All students travelling out in 2023/24 and 2024/25 are required to complete a risk assessmentLink opens in a new window before travelling.

The University cannot legally give students advice on the purchase of a policy, however you should particularly check the following when purchasing insurance but note this is not an exhaustive list:-

1. The policy is in your correct name.
2. It covers all of the countries you intend to travel to.
3. It covers the period of travel of when you leave the UK (or your home country if that is the starting point) until you return to the UK (or home country).
4. Pre-existing medical conditions have been declared to the insurer and accepted by them.
5. The limit of cover for medical expenses is sufficient for the country visited bearing in mind the cost of treatment in that country.
6. Repatriation is covered for all medical conditions.
7. There are no onerous conditions or exclusions. Covid-19 related curtailment or cancellation is likely to be a standard exclusion.
8. The policy covers personal liability.
9. You have read carefully and can accept the conditions contained within the declaration.

You are advised to visit The National Travel Health Centre NetworkLink opens in a new window or the Fit for Travel websiteLink opens in a new window at least three months before you travel to find country-by-country health guides with detailed information on necessary vaccinations and disease-prevention drugs, such as anti-malarials. Some immunisations or tablets need to be taken months before going, so please make sure to visit your GP well in advance of leaving. You can also ask your GP for medication for any long term medical conditions.

If you wear contact lenses and/or glasses, you should make sure to have enough back-up lenses/glasses, as it may not be as easy to find replacements in your host country.

Depending upon the country you will be studying in, you may be able to apply for a Student Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) which will allow you to access medically necessary state-provided healthcare, however, it may not cover all health costs and is not a substitute for travel insurance. Please visit the following webpage for further information:

• https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/apply-for-a-free-uk-global-health-insurance-card-ghic/Link opens in a new window

If you will be studying in more than one country, you will need to get in touch separately for the second country, please see towards the bottom of the following page for details: https://nhsbsa-live.powerappsportals.com/knowledgebase/article/KA-26811/en-us Link opens in a new window

You may need a Confirmation of Placement Letter to apply for the GHIC so please click on the following link to request this: Confirmation of Placement LetterLink opens in a new window. A separate form needs to be completed for each placement if you are undertaking more than one placement. Please include your host university address on the form where you have to provide your in country address if you have not yet arranged accommodation.

You will continue to have access to the Warwick Wellbeing Support ServicesLink opens in a new window during your year abroad.

Considering your support needs when applying for year abroad

If you have support needs during your year abroad, please note no information will be shared with the Student Mobility team at Warwick of any existing support arrangements, therefore it is your responsibility to provide your host with this. Some cultures do have different approaches therefore different levels of support may be available. This should be considered ahead of completing this departmental application. Your Departmental Study Abroad Coordinator has information about support needs that can be accommodated at different host universities that we have received.

To have the best chance of support being provided, you should declare your needs with your host early in the process once you know where you have been allocated.

If you have a disability or long term health condition then you can engage with Disability Services at Warwick to secure a copy of your reasonable adjustment plan that you may wish to share with your host/use as a basis for discussions about your support needs.

If you think you may have support needs but you do not have an existing support plan, consider completing the support plan template here to use as a basis of discussion with Wellbeing Services to consider what adjustments you could request to support your needs. You can then use this as a basis of discussions with your host.