Which UK Universities Have The Most Accessible Health Services For Students?

This research was conducted by healthcare treatment providers, UK Meds.

Please credit the research by linking back to the webpage if using data.

According to a new study, almost 50% of university students have reported that their mental health and well-being have worsened since the beginning of the academic year. Survey respondents also claimed that maintaining physical health has been a struggle due to increasing costs, with the cost of living crisis still rife.*

In addition, government data has revealed a spike in the number of students catching STIs at universities. In the last year, there were 4.7% more diagnoses of new STIs in the UK since 2022. And with young people aged 15 to 24 years remaining the most likely to be diagnosed with STIs, sexual health facilities are essential at university.**

However, reports suggest that student services and health centres in certain university towns and cities are 'not accessible enough' and that more needs to be done to ensure student health is taken seriously. 

With this in mind, UK Meds has analysed the universities in the UK that have the most accessible health services. To rank the universities, we examined NHS data to find the number of GP surgeries, sexual health clinics and pharmacies in the postcodes of each major UK university. Each university was assigned a score for the accessibility of each medical centre type, with a total score of 100 available across all types.  

Where does your university rank?

Platinum tier: universities with the most accessible health services for students

With the results in, it’s clear that a proportion of UK universities can be classified as having highly accessible health services. 

London’s University of Westminster and Scotland’s University of Edinburgh come out on top with an overall health accessibility score of 92.43 out of 100. This is over 300% higher than the likes of Exeter and Lancaster. 

The University of Westminster has 40 pharmacies, 11 sexual health clinics and 17 GPs in the surrounding area. In comparison, the University of Edinburgh has 48 GPs, 19 pharmacies and 6 sexual health clinics. 

The University of Strathclyde follows Westminster and Edinburgh ranking in second place with a score of 91. This is followed by University College London (90.75), London South Bank University (90.47) and the University of Glasgow (88.79). 

Further findings: 

• Each platinum university has a pharmacy score of over 23 and a GP score of over 12. 

• 80% of the universities have over 7 sexual health clinics in the local area.

• Nearly half (7) of the 15 universities ranked are located in London.  

• 4 of the 15 universities are located in Scotland, meaning just over a quarter of the platinum tier are Scottish universities and 2 universities are located in the city of Glasgow. 

• A further 2 universities (13%) are based in Leicester: De Montfort University and the University of Leicester. 

Each university also has well-being advisers and student counselling on site, along with various resources on the university websites. When looking at the actions taken by these universities, it’s clear their initiatives can be replicated at any UK university.  

Gold tier: universities with very accessible health services for students

The 15 universities ranking in the gold tier had an overall score ranging from 65 to 77, meaning healthcare services and facilities were very accessible in these areas.

The University of Sunderland, the University of Manchester and St. Mary’s University College came out on top with overall scores above 72. King's College London, the University of the West of Scotland, and the University of Wolverhampton all followed behind, each receiving particularly high scores for the number of pharmacies in their area. 

The data revealed that students looking for universities with accessible healthcare may wish to head to a university in the midlands, as 1 in 3 universities in this category are based in cities such as Nottingham and Birmingham. Nottingham Trent University has a medical practice on-site where they can provide sexual health and contraception advice along with new patient and general health checks.

Silver tier: universities with accessible health services for students

The 15 universities ranking in the silver tier all received an overall score of between 53 and 63. At these institutions, there are accessible health services to students to an extent, but there’s also plenty of room for improvement.

The universities in this category include the University of Salford, the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, the University of Bolton and the University of Dundee, all of which have a score of around 60. 

While all the universities in this tier have over 6 GPs and pharmacies in their local area, their sexual health clinics are more limited, with 80% of the universities having just 3 or fewer clinics nearby. 

Bronze tier: universities with somewhat accessible health services for students

Universities such as the University of Brighton, the University of Northumbria, the University of Greenwich and Oxford Brookes University all fall into the bronze category, meaning they have somewhat accessible health services for students. 

Each university in the bronze tier gained an overall score between 45 and 52, meaning their health services are almost 50% less accessible than those ranking in the platinum tier.

Though the University of Bedfordshire is active in health and social care, possessing several health-related initiatives, with a score of 49 and just 1 sexual health clinic in the area, students may feel their access to healthcare is somewhat limited. 

Similarly, data shows there are no pharmacies within the same area as Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh, compared to 13 in the area surrounding Kings College London in the platinum tier.

Dr Alexis Missick, General Practitioner says:

“Students have long faced challenges in managing their mental and physical well-being amid academic pressures and personal changes. The transition to university life often brings increased stress, anxiety, and health issues due to factors such as irregular sleep, poor nutrition, and lack of exercise.

It's crucial for universities and their surrounding communities to provide easily accessible and comprehensive healthcare services. 

Many universities have established excellent health and wellness services, which are commendable. However, it's clear that some institutions still fall short. Students in these areas may struggle with inadequate access to necessary care, long wait times, or insufficient support.

Investing in robust healthcare services is essential for enabling a supportive environment where students can thrive academically and personally. Universities must ensure their healthcare offerings meet student needs and set a high standard for others to follow.”

Key Takeaways

With reported mental health problems among university students almost tripling in recent years and students being susceptible to various illnesses such as mumps and meningitis, it is highly important that student health is taken seriously. 

Universities are vital in promoting student health initiatives and ensuring access to healthcare. Their influence extends beyond the campus, significantly impacting the surrounding communities by setting a strong example in health and well-being.

For Students Struggling With Health Conditions

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Methodology

Data was taken from NHS England, Scotland, and Wales. To rank the universities and online prescription distribution service, UK Meds analysed NHS data to find the number of GP surgeries, sexual health clinics and pharmacies in the postcodes of each major UK university. They assigned each university a score out of 33 for the accessibility of each medical centre type, with a total of 100 available across all types.