Before you travel
To help you prepare to travel to the UK, we provide a detailed pre-arrival guide for international students. The guide is full of useful information and advice to help you:
- plan your journey
- answer any questions you may have as you prepare to come to the University
- give you an idea of what to expect when you arrive.
Overseas students’ pre-arrival guide 2009
Do you need a visa to study in the UK?
When you are planning your studies in the UK, you need to find out what type of entry clearance or visa you need to obtain BEFORE you travel.
If you are currently outside the United Kingdom, you may need to apply for entry clearance.
Your nearest British Council office or British Mission will be able to tell you whether or not you need a visa.
Make sure that you apply in plenty of time as certain Missions get very busy before the start of the academic year. Remember to check how long it takes to process applications in your country, as times vary.
You may miss the start of term if you have to wait for your application to be processed.
You will need your Certificate of Acceptance from the University when you apply for your visa.
More information on visa requirements
- Address and telephone numbers of your local British Mission - visit the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website
- General information about visa applications, application forms and official guidelines - visit the Home Office UK Border Agency website
Pre-departure checklist
Before you leave home, there are a number of important things you need to arrange.
Make sure you have:
- Returned your reply slip accepting your offer
- Provided proof that you meet all the academic conditions, if your offer is conditional
- Returned your accommodation application form and deposit (if you are applying for University accommodation) or arranged private accommodation
- Returned your Overseas Students’ Arrival Form
- Notified the University of your arrival details if you intend to stay in University accommodation (especially if you plan to arrive outside of normal working hours)
In your hand luggage, you need to bring:
- Your passport
- Your student Visa or Entry Clearance
- Your travel tickets
- Medical Certificates, including chest X-ray and list of inoculations, if you need them
- Travel insurance for the journey. If you are registered on a course of study lasting less than 6 months, you will also need health insurance
- Your original examination certificates and English language results, with certified translations if your certificates are not in English
- Tuition and university accommodation fees. Any bankers’ drafts should be made out in the name of ‘The University of Hertfordshire’ and not in your own name, as it can take a number of weeks before you will be able to open a bank account
- Enough travellers’ cheques and/or sterling currency to last for your first few weeks in the UK
- Proof of sponsorship, if you are a sponsored student
- Copies of all these documents in your main suitcase, with additional copies left with a relative at home. For further details, see the pre-arrival guide
Do you want us to meet you at the airport?
We have made special arrangements to collect students for free from Heathrow Airport at the start of Semester A and B.
Alternatively, you can make your own way to the University by car, by public transport or using a pre-booked taxi service. For further details of these options, please see the pre-arrival guide.
Airport collection dates
- Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September 2009 - for Semester A September 2009
- Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 January 2010 - for Semester B January 2010
Book your airport collection by
- Monday the 6 September 2009 – for semester A September 2009 pickup
- Monday the 11 January 2010 – for semester B January 2010 pickup
If you would like to take advantage of this service, you should complete the booking form and send it to us by the deadline date.
Download the overseas students’ arrival form 2009
Send your completed booking form:
by fax
+ 44 (0)1707 284738
by post
International Student Support Student Centre University of Hertfordshire Hatfield AL10 9AB UKWe will confirm your place via email, once we have received your arrival form.
