Visa conditions

When entering the UK on a student visa there are certain conditions that you must be aware of. These include your responsibilities as a student on a Tier 4 visa, your right to work in the UK, police registration requirements and restrictions on driving in the UK.

Your responsibilities

Your Tier 4 visa has some conditions, these conditions should be stated in your Biometric Residence Permit. 

These conditions include:

• Only being allowed to register with the institution who issued your CAS, and doing so on time each academic year
• Ensuring that your attendance is good and any absence is reported
• Making sure that you abide by the University's regulations (which will be provided to you during the registration process)
• Confirming to us immediately if your status changes (i.e. if you withdraw or suspend study on your course).

Your visa will include a start and end date, make sure you do not try to enter the UK before the start of your visa and that you return home before your visa expires. 

Working in the UK

Most students entering the UK on a Tier 4 student visa are permitted to work a maximum 20 hours per week during term time. 

If your visa includes the words 'work and any changes must be authorised' then as outlined above you are able to work without seeking any further permission. 

Please note that if you are studying on a course classed as below degree level, which includes our International Foundation and English Language courses then you are only permitted to work a maximum of 10 hours per week. 

If you have entered the UK on a Student Visitor Visa you are not permitted to work. 

Find out more about your right to work in the UK.  

Many of our undergraduate courses include an optional work placement opportunity, allowing you to obtain industry experience in the UK as part of your degree programme. This is permitted on a Tier 4 student visa and will allow you to work full time in the UK for up to one year only if this is part of your degree programme. 

Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur

Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur (GE) is aimed at students who have completed a degree course in the UK and who wish to develop ideas or entrepreneurial skills by setting up a business in the UK.

The University of Hertfordshire is able to sponsor up to 10 students per year in this category. Students can hold either an undergraduate or postgraduate award from the University, which will have been issued no longer than 12 months before making the Tier 1 GE visa application. 

Successful applicants will be awarded a 12 month visa in order to develop a business idea. Students can only apply for Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) in the UK by post. There are no provisions for applying from outside the UK.

Time spent on a Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur visa will not count towards settlement in the UK.

To find out more please see the UK Border Agency website or email Tonia Harvey, Head of Commerical Development.

Police registration

Some students are required, by law, to register with the police within 7 days of arriving in the UK.

If your entry clearance stamp or visa contains the words 'police registration within seven days of UK entry' then you are required to do so. 

If you are attending the orientation programme then representatives from the police will be on campus during the orientation week to assist students with the police registration.

If you are not able to attend the orientation programme, or do not attend the police registration slots on campus you will need to make your own arrangements to attend Hatfield Police Station, which is located within easy access of the University. 

Driving in the UK

Having a licence which is valid in your own country does not allow you to drive in the UK. To find out more about driving in the UK please refer to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) advice for driving as a visitor or new resident.