Health and safety
Prepare for health, safety and travel risks before you leave for your study abroad placement.
Good preparation can help you stay safe, manage your health needs and respond to unexpected situations while abroad. You should check health advice, travel guidance and safety information for your destination before you travel.
Health
Health concerns
Speak to your GP before you travel if you have any health concerns.
Medication and prescriptions
Check what you need to do if you take regular medication.
- Check whether you need to renew any prescriptions while you are abroad.
- Ask your doctor for a letter explaining any medication you need to take with you. Check with your GP practice whether there is a fee for this service.
- Check that your medication is legal in the country you are visiting.
Health insurance
Check what health insurance you need before you travel.
- Check the health insurance requirements for your destination and partner institution before you travel.
Vaccinations
Check whether you need any vaccinations before you travel.
- Arrange any vaccinations you need before you travel.
- Check when you need each vaccination, as some immunisations must happen well before travel.
Safety
Most students enjoy their study abroad placement without incident.
You should take the same safety precautions abroad as you would in any new city. Stay alert, be aware of your surroundings and read the University’s student personal safety guidance.
Check the for your destination before you travel. It includes information about entry requirements, local laws and customs, health and safety.
You may also want to use a reliable guidebook and learn as much as you can about your destination before you go.
Natural disasters
Research whether your host country has a risk of natural disasters, such as earthquakes or hurricanes.
This is especially important if you are travelling to a country where natural disasters are more common. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office travel advice may include information about extreme weather and other risks.
You may also find these resources useful:
Before you travel
Take time to prepare key information before you leave.
- Copy your important documents, including your passport, and leave the copies with someone you trust.
- Keep a note of the University’s out of hours contact details.
- Keep a note of the University’s insurance information.
- Check what consular assistance is available in your host country.
- Do not carry all your bank cards or credit cards with you. Leave one in a secure location.
The University will follow in the event of an international incident. Student safety on external programmes is the University’s primary concern.