1981 - 1990

1989

• Hatfield Polytechnic is given corporate status.

1988

• Sir Ron Dearing and Professor Buxton sign an agreement giving the Polytechnic accreditation from the CNAA, 1 of only 21 polytechnics, colleges and Scottish Central Institutions to be accredited at the time.
  
• Hatfield becomes 1 of only 8 polytechnics to be accredited for research degrees.
  

1987

• Professor Neil Buxton becomes the new Director of the Polytechnic. 

1984

• New sports hall built on Hatfield Campus. The Polytechnic has more than 5,000 students and 824 staff.

1982

• Dr John Illston succeeds Sir Norman Lindop as Director of the Polytechnic.