Cost at a glance
| Country | Annual cost (single student) | How it's paid |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | £776/year (flat) | Upfront, with visa application |
| Australia | ~AUD 623-806/year | Purchased from licensed insurer |
| United States | ~$1,678-$6,000+/year | Charged by university (SHIP) |
| Singapore | ~SGD 200-500/year | Bundled into university fees |
| Germany | ~€1,680-1,812/year | Monthly, statutory insurer |
United Kingdom: the Immigration Health Surcharge
The UK doesn't ask students to buy private insurance. Instead, the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is charged at a flat £776 per year and paid in full, upfront, for the entire duration of the visa, as part of the application itself, according to GOV.UK. Applicants switching or extending from inside the UK pay half the yearly rate. Once paid, it gives full access to the NHS, the same as a resident.
Australia: OSHC
Australia requires Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the full length of the student visa, purchased from one of five government-licensed insurers: ahm, nib, Bupa, Medibank, and Allianz Care. Costs for a single student run roughly AUD 623-806 per year, or about AUD 52-67 per month, depending on provider. Premiums rose an average of 4.41% from 1 April 2026, so prices should be checked close to application time rather than assumed from prior-year figures.
Unlike the UK's single flat fee, Australia's OSHC market means the provider you choose meaningfully changes the annual cost — it's worth comparing more than one before enrolling.
United States: no federal mandate, but real cost
There's no US federal law requiring F-1 students to carry health insurance. In practice, this doesn't matter: the large majority of US universities require their own Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) and auto-enroll every international student in it, unless the student proves comparable private coverage that meets the institution's own standards. Published SHIP rates for 2025-2026 vary enormously by school, from around $1,678 up to $6,000 or more per year, since each university negotiates its own plan.
This makes the US the one destination where "the cost of health insurance" genuinely depends on which specific university you enroll at, not a national rate.
Singapore & Germany
Singapore's Obligatory Student Health Plan (OSHP) is required for a Student Pass and is typically bundled directly into university fees, at roughly SGD 200-500 per year across NUS, NTU, SMU, and other major institutions. Germany takes a different approach entirely: international students enrol in the statutory public health insurance system (GKV), paying roughly €140-151 per month, calculated from a fixed reference amount tied to Germany's BAföG student aid rate, not the student's actual income or age-banded like the UK or Australia systems.
Key takeaways
- UK: flat £776/year, paid upfront with the visa, no separate insurer to choose.
- Australia: ~AUD 623-806/year across five licensed OSHC insurers, up 4.41% from April 2026.
- US: no federal mandate, but university SHIP plans typically run $1,678-$6,000+/year.
- Singapore: ~SGD 200-500/year, bundled into fees. Germany: ~€140-151/month, statutory.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the UK Immigration Health Surcharge for students?
£776 per year, paid upfront in full for the entire visa duration at the time of application, according to GOV.UK. Applicants applying from inside the UK pay half the yearly rate.
How much does OSHC cost for international students in Australia?
Roughly AUD 623-806 per year for a single student, depending on the provider, or about AUD 52-67 per month. Premiums rose an average of 4.41% from 1 April 2026.
Is health insurance mandatory for F-1 students in the US?
There's no federal law requiring it, but the large majority of US universities mandate their own Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) unless a student proves comparable private coverage. Published university SHIP rates for 2025-2026 range from roughly $1,678 to $6,000 per year.
How much does mandatory student health insurance cost in Singapore and Germany?
Singapore's OSHP costs roughly SGD 200-500 per year, usually bundled into university fees. Germany's statutory public health insurance for students runs approximately €140-151 per month, calculated off a fixed BAföG-linked reference amount rather than actual income.
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Sources & further reading
- Pay for UK healthcare as part of your immigration application (official) — GOV.UK
- Overseas Student Health Cover duration and costs (official university guidance) — Australian National University