International Students

Prescribing practices in Ireland may differ from those in your home country. We strongly recommend that you research your treatment options before travelling to Ireland, particularly if you are currently taking medication that may not be licensed in Ireland or routinely prescribed in primary care.

Below are some frequently asked questions about medications.  If you need further information before travelling, please email the Student Health Centre and one of our doctors will review your query and respond to you.

Q. Can I bring medication with me to Ireland?

If you are travelling to Ireland with medication, you should bring a copy of your prescription and a letter from your doctor. You may be asked to show these documents to Customs Officers when you arrive in Ireland.

For further information about bringing medication into Ireland and any requirements that apply, please email the eCustoms Helpdesk. In your email, include details of the medication you wish to bring and the quantity.

If you need to see a doctor during your stay in Ireland, you should bring your doctor's letter to the appointment.

Q. How can I check if my medication is available in Ireland?

Most commonly prescribed medications are available in Ireland and can be prescribed by a GP either at the Student Health Centre or in the local community. However, some medications that are available in your home country may not be licensed for use in Ireland.

You can check whether your medication is licensed in Ireland on the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) website.

It is very important to check this before making plans to travel to Ireland. It is also important to check the cost of your medication, as it may be significantly more expensive in Ireland.

Please note that the decision to prescribe, continue, or change any medication rests with the treating doctor in Ireland.

Listed below are some common medications that can only be prescribed by a hospital consultant in Ireland and cannot be prescribed by a General Practitioner (GP).

1. Roaccutane (Isotretinoin) for the treatment of Acne
This must be prescribed by a consultant dermatologist in Ireland. It cannot be prescribed by a GP.

2. Immune Modulators
These medicines must be prescribed by a hospital consultant. If this treatment is required, you will need to be referred to a hospital specialist service. Immune modulators are not available through the Student Health Centre.

3. Allergy injections
Allergy injections can be administered by the Student Health Centre nurse if you bring the injections with you, and provide a prescription from a medical doctor confirming the dose.

4. Transgender medication 
Medication for gender reassignment must be prescribed under hospital consultant endocrinologist supervision in Ireland. Students requesting treatment are referred to the National Gender Service which is based at St Columcille’s Hospital in Dublin.

There is currently a 4 year waiting list. If you have documentation relating to your previous diagnosis and treatment plan from your doctor, this may help support your referral and ongoing care.

Please be aware that some medications and treatment approaches that are commonly used in other countries may not be licensed for use in Ireland. As a result, they may not be prescribed or administered here.

5. Drugs used to treat ADD/ADHD
If you have been diagnosed with ADD or ADHD by a specialist outside Ireland, please bring documentation confirming your diagnosis and treatment plan from your treating physician.

In Ireland, treatment for ADD/ADHD must be provided under the supervision of a consultant psychiatrist. Any medication prescribed must also be licensed for use in Ireland.

6. Xolair (Omalizumab)
Students who are receiving Xolair (omalizumab) may not be able to continue this treatment while studying in Ireland. We recommend discussing your treatment plan with your specialist before travelling. In some cases, it may be advisable to complete your treatment in your home country before coming to Ireland to begin your studies.

Q. What are my options if my medication is not available in Ireland?
If your medication is not available or licensed in Ireland, you should bring enough medication to last for the duration of your stay. You must carry your original prescription and, for some restricted medications, a letter or medical certificate from your doctor explaining why the medication has been prescribed.

It is essential that you bring an adequate supply of medication and keep it in its original packaging. We also recommend carrying your medication in your hand luggage when travelling.

If your current medication is not licensed in Ireland, you should discuss alternative treatment options with your doctor before travelling, as an alternative medication may need to be prescribed while you are in Ireland.

Q. I need regular infusions for my medical condition.  Can I continue these when I come to study in Ireland?
The Student Health Centre is not equipped to provide infusion treatments, as these require hospital-based care and supervision.

Students who take regular medication will need a prescription from an Irish doctor to continue their treatment in Ireland. 

Please note that a medication can only be prescribed if it is licensed for use in Ireland. Before you travel, you should check that your medication is available in Ireland.

To obtain an Irish prescription, you will need to bring a letter from your doctor confirming your diagnosis and listing your current medications.

Below is a list of pharmacies close to the University:

• Castletroy Park Total Health Pharmacy
• Castletroy Pharmacy
• McCabe’s Pharmacy (Castletroy Shopping Centre and Parkway Shopping Centre)
• Grays Total Health Pharmacy
• Scanlons Pharmacy (Castletroy)
• Halley’s CarePlus Pharmacy (Annacotty)
• Boots (Childer’s Road)

All visiting students should ensure they are up to date with the vaccinations recommended for their age group in their home country.

In addition, students are advised to have received the following vaccinations before travelling to Ireland, if they have not already done so:

• MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella)
• Meningococcal C (MenC)

Where possible, these vaccinations should be received at least 8 weeks before arrival in Ireland.

The University’s Student Counselling and Wellbeing Service provides a range of supports for students with mental health needs.  

The Student Health Centre does not work directly with medical insurance providers. You must contact the Student Health Centre directly to book an appointment, and payment is required at the time of booking.

It is your responsibility to check the terms and conditions of your medical insurance policy and submit any claims to your insurer, if applicable.

A receipt will be sent to your UL email account after you book your appointment.

Students with significant medical conditions are strongly encouraged to arrange medical and/or travel insurance, even if it is not required for visa or IRP purposes.

For more information about medical insurance, visit UL Global's website.

There is no dental surgery on campus and we are not linked to any particular local dentist.  Below is a list of some dentists close to the University:-

• No8 Dental Clinic
• Castletroy Dental Clinic
• Shields Dental Clinic
• Dr Killian Iarlaith, 5B Whitethorns, Castletroy, Co. Limerick, Tel: +353 (0) 61 339723

• Students from EU Member States and Switzerland who hold a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) are entitled to emergency healthcare in the public health system.
• You should apply for your EHIC before travelling to Ireland.
• The EHIC covers treatment in public healthcare facilities and by participating General Practitioners (GPs). It does not cover private healthcare.
• At the Student Health Centre, the EHIC may be used for prescription purposes only and does not cover consultation fees.
• If you require a prescription, please tell the doctor during your appointment that you have an EHIC.
• Students who register with a participating GP off campus will not have to pay a consultation fee.
• Old Windmill Family Practice is our doctor's GP surgery in the city and accepts UL students with an EHIC.
• For more information about the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), visit the EHIC website.

In Ireland, you should only attend an Accident & Emergency (A&E) Department or call an ambulance in the event of a serious medical emergency.

For all other medical concerns, please contact the Student Health Centre or one of the services listed in our Out of Hours Clinics information.

Charges may apply for attending an A&E Department. You may not need to pay this charge if:

• You have been assessed by a GP and referred to A&E with a doctor's referral letter.
• You present a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

For more information about hospital charges in Ireland, please visit Citizens Information: Charges for Hospital Services.

If you have medical insurance, you may be able to claim some or all of costs incurred.

For serious injuries and life-threatening emergencies, call 112 or 999 to request an ambulance.

UL Campus Emergency Number (24 hours): +353 (0)61 213333

For information on responding to emergencies on campus, please see the Medical Emergency Response Procedure.

Q. What is a specialist or a consultant?

A specialist is a doctor with expertise in a particular area of medicine who provides assessment and treatment for more complex health conditions. Specialists are generally based in hospitals and are also known as consultants.

In Ireland, you usually need to be assessed by a General Practitioner (GP) before seeing a specialist. If appropriate, the GP will refer you to a specialist for further assessment, investigation, or treatment.

Q. What is the difference between a public and a private hospital?

Public hospitals in Ireland are run by the Health Service Executive (HSE) on behalf of the Irish Government. Everyone is entitled to attend a public hospital. Charges may apply in some circumstances, depending on factors such as your immigration permission or visa status, or if you attend an Accident and Emergency (A&E) Department without first being referred by, or attending, a GP. Waiting times for assessment and treatment in public hospitals can be long.

Private hospitals charge for their services. Before attending a private hospital, you should check the terms of your health insurance policy to confirm whether the costs will be covered. Waiting times are generally shorter in private hospitals than in public hospitals.

Q. How do I arrange the continuation of my specialist care when I come to Ireland?

If you are currently under the care of a medical specialist in your home country, it is important to meet with them before travelling to Ireland. They can discuss with you any implications of living abroad with your medical condition and help you plan your ongoing care.

Before travelling, you should confirm that your treatment is available in Ireland. If it is not, you may need to discuss alternative treatment options that are available here.

Your specialist should provide you with a written summary of your diagnosis, treatment plan, and current medications. In some cases, they may need to contact an appropriate specialist in Ireland to help ensure that your treatment can continue without interruption.

Please note that there may be a waiting period of several weeks or, in some cases, several months before you can be seen by a specialist in Ireland. You should therefore ensure that you bring a sufficient supply of any prescribed medication with you. This is particularly important if stopping or delaying treatment could affect your health.

Before travelling, you should also check that:

• your treatment is covered by your health insurance policy; and
• any medicines you take are licensed for use in Ireland.

Q. What is a GP?

A GP is a General Practitioner or a medical doctor. They are also referred to as family practitioners in some countries. A GP provides the first point of care for patients in Ireland. We have 3 part-time GPs in the Student Health Centre along with a Nurse Practice Manager and a physiotherapist.

Q. How do I register with the Student Health Centre?

• If you need to book an appointment please telephone the Student Health Centre and we will register you on our system.
• We do not deal directly with medical insurance providers so you must book the appointment yourself.
• The phone lines can be very busy at times, particularly from 09:00am and 11:00am. If the line is busy when you ring, please leave a brief message that includes your name and UL student ID number. Your call will be prioritised and returned as quickly as possible.
• Payment is required at the time of booking to confirm your appointment. If you need to claim the cost back through your medical insurance provider, a receipt will be emailed to your UL email account after payment has been made. 

Q. As UL has a Student Health Centre, is it necessary to register with a local doctor?

If you have an ongoing illness or medical condition that requires regular review and follow up care, you should register with a local GP for the duration of your studies at UL. For information about local GPs, please email the Student Health Centre  or please use the HSE GP directory to find a GP in your area.

Q. I am feeling acutely unwell, in pain, or distressed. I need an urgent appointment.

We offer same-day appointments for students who need urgent medical attention. Please call us as early as possible in the morning to arrange an appointment.

These appointments are intended to address your urgent health concern. If you have other health issues that you would like to discuss, you may be asked to book a separate appointment.

If you need to see a doctor outside normal working hours, please see our Out of Hours clinic information.

Q. Can I have blood tests done at the Student Health Centre?

If you think you may need a blood test, please book an appointment to discuss this with a doctor. If the doctor determines that blood tests are necessary, you will be advised to book an appointment with the nurse.

Alternatively, if you have a referral letter from your own doctor requesting blood tests, please contact the Student Health Centre to check whether we can carry out the tests. If we can, you may book an appointment directly with the nurse to have the tests completed.

Blood test appointments are available Monday to Thursday, mornings only.

 Q. Do I need to have an Irish mobile number in order to register with the Student Health Centre?

We recommend that you have an Irish mobile number for the duration of your stay in Ireland. If you need to use healthcare services outside the University, healthcare providers may need to contact you about appointments or treatment. Having an Irish mobile number will help ensure that they can reach you.

You do not need to buy another phone to use an Irish SIM card. Before travelling to Ireland, contact your mobile network provider to check whether your phone is unlocked and can accept an Irish SIM card.

SIM cards are available from the UL Global Reception. Alternatively, you may wish to use an eSIM to access an Irish mobile number.

For more information, visit UL Global's guide to getting set up after you arrive.

Q. Will the Student Health Centre contact or speak to the parents or relatives or family members of a visiting student?

All consultations at the Student Health Centre are confidential. Information about your health, treatment, or appointments will only be shared with others if you have given your explicit consent.

If you provide consent, we will communicate with your family members or representatives as appropriate.