Vaccinations and health checks

Last updated: 08/08/2023 15:38

We recommend that you are vaccinated against tuberculosis, tetanus, polio, diphtheria, meningitis ACWY and measles, mumps and rubella (MMR).

Current advice is that two doses of the MMR vaccine are needed to give you adequate protection. For students studying medicine, dentistry, nursing and other health-related courses, please check the immunisation details requested on the Pre-Course Occupational Health Questionnaire sent to you.

These precautions are necessary to ensure that you are properly protected from potentially serious illness.

We strongly advise you to check with your doctor before leaving your home country to confirm that these immunisations are up to date.

Tuberculosis (TB) certificate (if applicable)

Residents from some countries are required to obtain a certificate confirming they are free from infectious TB before applying for a visa. Visit GOV.UK for the most up-to-date list of countries that require a TB certificate.

The test includes having a chest X-ray at an accredited clinic or hospital run by the International Organisation for Migration.

If your country is not listed, but you are from the Indian Subcontinent, Africa or countries that have tuberculosis (TB), we recommend that you have an up-to-date chest X-ray certificate and medical report that is less than three months old.

If you do not have this information, you may have to have a chest X-ray and medical examination before you are allowed to pass through immigration at a UK airport.

Doctor’s report

If you are having any medical treatment or you have had any serious illness in the past, please bring a doctor’s report with you in English.

The report should give details of the illness, any medicines you are still taking and any future treatment needed.

You should give this report to your new doctor that you will be registering with when you arrive in Cardiff.