Douglas Olsen
Whether or not students have to pay for prescriptions depends on a number of factors, including their age, location, income, and medical condition. In England, students under the age of 19 who are still in full-time education are exempt from paying for prescriptions. Students over the age of 19 may be required to pay for prescriptions unless they have a valid exemption certificate or are eligible for financial support due to low income. In Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, prescriptions are free for all.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | In England, students have to pay for prescriptions. In Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, prescriptions are free. |
| Age | Students under 19 years of age are exempt from paying for prescriptions. Students 19 and over will have to pay unless they are exempt. |
| Income | Students with an income of less than £16,000 per year may be eligible for support with NHS costs, including prescriptions, under the Low Income Scheme. |
| Medical Condition | Students with certain medical conditions, such as cancer, or those with a continuing physical disability, may be exempt from paying for prescriptions. |
| Pregnancy | Pregnant students or those who have given birth in the previous 12 months may be exempt from paying for prescriptions with a valid maternity exemption certificate. |
| War Pension | Students with a valid war pension exemption certificate for a disability do not pay for prescriptions related to their war disability. |
| NHS Low Income Scheme | Students can apply for the NHS Low Income Scheme and may be eligible for full or partial help with health costs, including prescriptions. |
| Prepayment Certificates | Prescription Prepayment Certificates (PPC) are available for those who do not qualify for free prescriptions, covering all prescription charges for 3 or 12 months. |
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What You'll Learn
Students under 19 in full-time education
In England, the prescription charge as of 2025 is £9.90 per medicine or appliance. Students may, however, be eligible for help with prescription and other healthcare costs. If a student has an income of less than £16,000 per year, they will be eligible for support with NHS costs, including prescriptions. Under the Low Income Scheme, students can apply for an HC2 or HC3 certificate. The HC3 certificate grants partial help with health costs, meaning the student may not be covered for the full amount but will pay less than is usually required.
Students can also apply for a pre-payment certificate, which covers all prescriptions so that if a student has more than one prescription every month, it is a cost-saving option.
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Students over 19 in full-time education
Firstly, students over 19 in full-time education may be exempt from paying for prescriptions if they have a specified medical condition and a valid medical exemption certificate. This certificate can be obtained from a GP, and certain medical conditions allow you to apply for this exemption. Additionally, students who are pregnant or have had a baby in the previous 12 months with a valid maternity exemption certificate are exempt from paying for prescriptions.
Secondly, students over 19 in full-time education with an income of less than £16,000 per year may be eligible for support with NHS costs, including prescriptions, 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 will receive either full help with healthcare costs (HC2 certificate) or partial help (HC3 certificate). However, it is important to note that the HC3 certificate does not cover prescriptions, and students will still need to pay for them.
Lastly, students struggling financially can reach out to their university for support and explore options such as the prescription prepayment certificate, which can help reduce costs for those with multiple prescriptions. Additionally, certain prescription items are always free, including contraceptives and medications given to hospital inpatients.
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Students with low income
In England, students with a low income may be eligible for support with NHS costs, including prescriptions, under the NHS Low Income Scheme. To qualify, students must have an income of less than £16,000 per year, including any savings, investments, or property. Under this scheme, students may be eligible for either an HC2 or HC3 certificate. While the HC2 certificate grants full help with health costs, meaning students will not have to pay for prescriptions, the HC3 certificate only provides partial help. Therefore, students with an HC3 certificate will still need to pay for prescriptions in full.
Furthermore, patient assistance programs, charitable pharmacies, and discount cards can help lower medication costs for those with low incomes. Pharmaceutical companies often have special programs or partnerships with foundations or nonprofits to provide discounted or free medication. Online medical fundraising through platforms like GoFundMe is another option to consider. However, it is worth noting that most campaigns on these platforms reach less than half of their fundraising goals, and transaction fees are typically charged.
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Students with a medical exemption certificate
Students with a valid medical exemption certificate are entitled to free prescriptions for all conditions, not limited to the qualifying condition. The exemption includes those who are undergoing treatment for cancer, including the effects of cancer, or the effects of current or previous cancer treatment. Medical Exemption Certificates are valid for five years and are not applicable to NHS wigs or fabric supports.
Medicines administered at an NHS hospital or an NHS walk-in centre, personally administered by a GP, contraceptives, or supplied at a hospital or clinic for the treatment of a sexually transmitted infection or tuberculosis are always free. War pensioners do not pay if the prescription is for their war disability.
Students who do not qualify for free prescriptions can purchase Prescription Prepayment Certificates (PPCs), which cover all prescription charges for three or twelve months. PPCs cost approximately one prescription per month. Students in England can also apply for the NHS Low Income Scheme. If a student's income is less than £16,000 per year, they may be eligible for either an HC2 or an HC3 certificate. An HC2 certificate entitles the holder to full help with health costs, while an HC3 certificate grants partial help. However, an HC3 certificate does not cover prescriptions.
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Students in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland
Students in England who are aged 16 to 18 and in full-time education can get all prescriptions for free. This means that if you’re in sixth form or college or your first year of university, you will not have to pay. Students aged 18 or under and still in full-time education are not required to pay for prescriptions in England. However, those aged 19 and over will have to pay for prescriptions for most medications/treatments unless they’re exempt. Students may, however, be eligible for help with prescription and other healthcare costs. For instance, if you are a student entitled to income support and you receive income-based benefits, you will automatically be eligible for free prescriptions.
Students in England can apply for the NHS Low Income Scheme. If you apply for the NHS Low Income Scheme and are deemed eligible for full help with health costs, you will not have to pay for prescriptions. To apply for support with healthcare costs under the NHS Low Income Support, you need to fill out an HC1 form and supply evidence of any grants, bursaries, and any awards you receive. For those who have repeat prescriptions, it could be cost-effective to buy a prepayment certificate, which allows you to pay for 3 or 12 months upfront. A PPC will cover all of your prescriptions for that period, regardless of how many you need. A PPC costs either £31.25 for 3 months or £111.60 for 12 months.
In Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, prescriptions are free for everyone. If you’re registered with a GP in these countries, you will get prescriptions completely free of charge, regardless of your age, income, or other factors. For Scottish, Welsh, and Northern Irish students studying in England, you can get an exemption card allowing you to continue receiving free prescriptions while in England.
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Frequently asked questions
Students in England will have to pay for prescriptions unless they are 18 or younger and still in full-time education. Students in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland get free prescriptions.
As of 2025, the cost of a prescription in England is £9.90 per medicine or appliance.
Students in England with an income of less than £16,000 per year may be eligible for support with NHS costs, including prescriptions, under the Low Income Scheme.
Students can apply for the NHS Low Income Scheme and, if eligible, will receive either an HC2 or HC3 certificate. An HC2 certificate entitles you to full help with health costs, while an HC3 certificate grants partial help.
Prescription Prepayment Certificates (PPC) are available for those who do not qualify for free prescriptions. The PPC covers all prescription charges for three or twelve months at a cost of approximately one prescription per month.
