University Students' Prescription Cost Support: What's Available?

University students in the UK may be eligible for help with prescription costs depending on their age, income, and location. In England, students under 19 years old in full-time education are exempt from paying for prescriptions. Students aged 19 and over must pay for prescriptions unless they are exempt due to other factors, such as low income or certain medical conditions. Students in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland do not have to pay for prescriptions. Additionally, some medications, such as contraceptives, are always free.

Students under 19 in full-time education are exempt from prescription charges

Students under the age of 19 in full-time education are automatically entitled to full help with health costs and are exempt from paying prescription charges. This applies to students in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

To claim your exemption from prescription charges, simply tick the relevant exemption category box on the rear of the prescription form.

If you are under 19 and in full-time education, you will also be entitled to free NHS dental and sight treatment, as well as help with covering the costs of glasses, contact lenses, and travelling to and from NHS doctor appointments.

However, once you turn 19, you will be required to pay for your prescriptions, even if you remain in full-time education. If you are unable to afford the cost of prescriptions, you may be able to obtain an exemption based on your income. To apply for this, you will need to fill out a HC1 form and provide evidence of any grants, bursaries, or other financial awards you receive. If you are granted an HC2 certificate, you will receive full help with healthcare costs, while an HC3 certificate will provide partial help.

Students with low incomes may be eligible for help with prescription costs

Firstly, students on a low income may be eligible for help under the NHS Low Income Scheme. This scheme is available to students whose annual income, including student maintenance loans, savings, and investments, does not exceed £16,000. If eligible, students can receive full or partial help with healthcare costs, including prescriptions, through an HC2 or HC3 certificate, respectively.

Additionally, students who are receiving income support and income-based benefits are automatically eligible for free prescriptions. This includes students on income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance. Students on contribution-based benefits or Universal Credit may also be eligible, depending on their take-home pay in the last assessment period.

For students who do not meet the criteria for free prescriptions or the NHS Low Income Scheme, there are other ways to save on prescription costs. One option is to purchase a prepayment certificate, which allows students to pay for 3 or 12 months upfront, covering all prescriptions during that period.

It is important to note that some medications, such as contraceptives and medicines for hospital inpatients, are always free of charge. Additionally, students with a valid medical exemption certificate or a valid maternity exemption certificate are also entitled to free prescriptions.

Students in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland get free prescriptions

In Wales, if you are registered with a GP in Wales, you are entitled to free prescriptions from a pharmacist in Wales. If you live in Wales but are registered with a GP in England, you will be issued with an entitlement card. This allows a prescription issued in England to be dispensed at a pharmacy in Wales for free. You will need to show your entitlement card at the pharmacy each time you give them a prescription. You may be charged if you don't have a card.

In Scotland, if you are registered with a GP and living in Scotland, you will get prescriptions completely free of charge, regardless of your age, income, or other factors.

In Northern Ireland, if you are registered with a GP and living in Northern Ireland, you will get prescriptions completely free of charge, regardless of your age, income, or other factors.

Students with certain medical conditions may be exempt from prescription charges

To obtain an exemption certificate, you must apply using the form HC1, which can be obtained from your GP's reception, ordered online, or by calling the Health Literature line on 0800 555 777.

It is important to note that the rules regarding prescription charges differ across the UK. In Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, prescriptions are free for all, regardless of age, income, or other factors.

Students on benefits may be eligible for free prescriptions

Students who are on income-based benefits are automatically eligible for free NHS prescriptions. This includes students who are on:

• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance

If you are receiving one of these benefits, your partner and any dependent young people under 20 included in your award are also entitled to free NHS prescriptions. Use your award notice as proof that you are entitled.

If you are on contribution-based benefits or Universal Credit, you are not automatically entitled to free prescriptions. However, your entitlement depends on your take-home pay in the last assessment period. If your take-home pay is under the limit, tick box 'U' on the prescription form. Not all prescription forms have a tick box for Universal Credit. If that's the case, you should tick box 'K' for income-based Jobseeker's Allowance instead.

If you are a student in England, you will be required to pay for prescriptions once you are over the age of 16 unless you are in full-time education or eligible for help. Students in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland do not have to pay for prescriptions.

Frequently asked questions