Before your travel to the UK
This page will prepare you for your journey to the University, providing you with clarity to help you feel at ease. Explore the resources below to make sure you have everything you need, know what to expect, and how to get to us at Herts!
Pre-arrival checklist
- passport
- Student Visa or Entry Clearance, if applicable
- travel tickets
- medical certificates
- up-to-date vaccinations - COVID-19 vaccination is not required for entry to the UK
- travel insurance for the journey
- health insurance/European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), if applicable
- Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) or your unconditional offer letter (for those applying for a Visit Visa)
- decision letter which explains how and where to collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), if applicable
- original examination certificates and English language results, with certified translations
- birth certificates/marriage certificates for any dependants with you
- travellers’ cheques/sterling currency/pre-paid credit card to last for your first few weeks in the UK & access to funds electronically for the coming months until you have opened a UK bank account.
- proof of sponsorship if you are a sponsored student
- proof of your parents’ finances, a signed letter of support and your original birth certificate (if your parents are supporting you)
- a mobile phone handset that is enabled to work with any mobile network provider
- confirmed accommodation and if on campus, order your bedding pack
- complete compulsory Public Health Passenger Locator Form
- take a COVID-19 test in the two days before you travel to England
- check UK quarantine requirements for your country (including transit stops) and ensure you arrange the following:
- Red List – Book hotel quarantine package
- Not Red List (Fully vaccinated with approved vaccine) – Book COVID-19 test for day two in UK
- Not Red List (Not fully vaccinated with approved vaccine) – Take COVID-19 test 72 hours before arrival in the UK, and book COVID-19 test for days two and eight in UK.
As well as original documentation in your hand luggage you are advised to keep copies of all the above listed documents in your main suitcase, and leave additional copies with a relative at home.
Visa and entry clearance
Most international students need a visa/entry clearance to study in the UK. You can self-assess online at the UK Government's Home Office website to see if this is relevant to you.
Please note that the UK formally left the European Union at 11pm on the 31 December 2020 and as such custom and border changes may be implemented for EU students. Please refer to this page for more information.
Further information is also available through your local British Embassy or High Commission. Find out more about applying for a UK visa.
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 Student Route visa, your right to work in the UK, police registration requirements and restrictions on driving in the UK.
The British Government provides useful information about Student Visas guidance.
Your Student Route visa has some conditions, these conditions should be stated in your Biometric Residence Permit or vignette.
These conditions include:
1. Only being allowed to register with the institution who issued your CAS (and who is named on your visa), and doing so on time each academic year.
2. Ensuring that your attendance is good and any absence is reported.
3. Making sure that you abide by the University's regulations (which will be provided to you during the registration process).
4. 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 either you return home or you apply to make a new visa application (if eligible) before your leave expires.
Most students entering the UK on a Student Route student visa are permitted to work a maximum 20 hours per week during term time.
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.
Your vignette or biometric residence permit will tell you how many hours you are allowed to work.
If you have entered the UK on a Student Visitor Visa you are not permitted to work - either paid or unpaid.
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 Student Route student visa and will allow you to work full time during your placement but only if this is part of your degree programme.
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. Failure to do so would be a breach of the conditions of your visa.
The international student support team will be able to assist you in the process of registering with the police.
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.
What to pack
There are some restrictions on what you can bring into the UK. Meat and fish products, all drugs (except prescription drugs) and animals are prohibited. Visit the HMRC website to make sure you know the law before you travel.
You will need to bring some money with you to get you through the first couple of weeks in the UK. We advise you not to bring large sums of cash, to avoid putting yourself at risk of theft. If you travel with more than €10,000 (or equivalent in other currencies) you will be required to declare it at customs. We recommend travelling with no more than £500-£600 in cash and bringing the rest on a pre-paid credit card or as travellers' cheques.
Make sure you have the following items in your hand luggage:
- any prescribed medication you are taking, plus a letter from your doctor explaining what the medicine is for
- address of where you will be staying and a contact number in case of emergencies
- a pen/pencil and some paper
- any fragile or valuable items
- a list of items in your main luggage
- address book with contact details of your friends and family
- enough UK currency for your transport from the airport to your accommodation.
Please keep your hand luggage with you at all times; if you leave it unattended, it could be stolen or taken away to be destroyed.
Before you pack, find out:
- what you are not allowed to bring to the UK
- your airline luggage allowance
- if the electrical equipment you are bringing with you is compatible with UK standards.
Make sure you have the following items in your main luggage and consider:
- luggage should be strong, secure and labelled with your name and destination on it
- don’t pack too many heavy things – books, clothing, stationery, cooking utensils, towels, toiletries etc. All can be purchased very cheaply when you arrive
- clothing – the British weather is very unpredictable and can change quickly. We advise you to bring light to medium weight clothing that is loose fitting to enable you to wear several layers at once. You should also bring a waterproof coat or jacket and waterproof shoes
- don’t pack lots of food – UK supermarkets offer a wide variety of food from all over the world. Please check the UK Customs list of food items you can and cannot bring.
Remember also that certain food items you may wish to bring with you are banned from import into the UK.
Your journey to Hertfordshire
It includes some great tips, whether you have travelled to the UK before or not. Remember, make sure to label your luggage with your new UK address. We highly recommend arranging appropriate travel insurance.
We recommend you arrive with enough time to settle in and complete any required quarantine (if you are travelling from a Red list country or are not fully vaccinated with an approved vaccine).
You will need to sort out your bank account, NHS registration and police registration (if required), as well as explore the city and campus after your quarantine period is complete!
You may need to show some documents at immigration when you arrive into the UK – it’s best to carry these in your hand luggage when you travel. These may include:
- your passport (with visa for relevant students)
- your CAS letter and unconditional offer letter
- your original examination certificates as stated in your CAS letter
- any medication that you are currently taking, medical certificates and records
- your accommodation contract
- evidence of your finances for your tuition fees and living costs
- evidence of your negative covid test
- confirmation you have made arrangements in line with the UK Government quarantine requirements for travellers from your country.
You must provide a bank statement that covers 28 days. The money must be in your bank account or your parents’ personal account; it cannot be in any other relative or friend’s account (unless they meet the UKVI definition of an official financial sponsor).
If you are using your parents’ bank account, you will also be required to submit extra supporting documents with your application, such as your birth certificate and a letter from your parents confirming their relationship to you and that they give you their consent to use their account for funding your studies and living costs.
The money must be in the account at the time you apply for the visa and must have been constantly in the account for a minimum of 28 days before the date of your visa application.
The final closing balance cannot be more than 31 days before the date of your visa application.
Planning your journey to campus
Travelling to a new country can be a little overwhelming. To make it easier for you, we’ve outlined the process below so that you know exactly what to expect when you arrive.
If you travel by plane your airline will give you a landing card - fill this in before you arrive at border control. Be prepared for an immigration interview with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) staff. You must be able to answer some questions in English and have a basic conversation without the assistance of an interpreter – failure to do so may result in you being denied access to the UK, at which point you will have to return home. The UK border control can be very busy, so don’t be surprised if you have to wait in a queue.
Students will need to show a valid passport and visa on arrival to the UK but you may also need to show the following so please make sure you keep these in your hand luggage:
- evidence of funding
- a recent medical report including x-ray results (if required)
- notification of CAS e-mail or your University of Hertfordshire unconditional offer letter (if you have a visit visa)
Be prepared to answer questions about where you are staying, and why you have come to the UK. The Border Force Officer must also be satisfied that you speak English at the required level without the need for an interpreter. You may also be fingerprinted if you supplied biometrics for your visa application.
After collecting your luggage and making your way through customs, you will reach the Arrivals Hall.
Please note if you require a Student Route visa or Visit visa you should not use the ePassport gates on arrival to the UK. You will need to see a Border Force Officer who will be able to stamp your passport giving you the appropriate leave or validation of your vignette.
Getting through customs
You can save this 'Request for a passport stamp' PDF to your phone or print it out and show it to Border Force Officials on your arrival to the UK to explain that you need a stamp in your passport.
You can help by keeping all of your important documents together and in your hand luggage.
To help you prepare and have a better idea of what to expect when crossing the border into the UK, the UK Visa's and Immigration Border Force have devised a helpful list of '10 top tips' for student arrivals.
Welcome to the UK!
Getting to the University
Airport Collection
We are delighted to offer free airport collection from Heathrow to campus on arrivals weekend! Our coaches will be on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 January 2022 at 10.00 and 19.30 each day but places are limited and you must book your seat in order to reserve a place on the airport collection.
Using Public Transport
Getting to campus from the major airports via public transport is incredibly simple. We've written out the steps you'll need to take to get to campus. Alternatively, you can print out a downloadable PDF version of the journey routes here.
The University is in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, 25 minutes by train from central London. The nearest train station is Hatfield (direct route from King's Cross Station). The University is a short taxi journey or bus ride from Hatfield railway station. You can view train times and fares on the National Rail website.
There are also bus services available from all the major London airports to the University. Face coverings are encouraged on public transport in the UK. This will include your flight and transport to campus.
1. Follow signage to Heathrow Underground Station
2. Take the Piccadilly Line to London King's Cross Underground Station
3. Follow signage to London King's Cross Overground Station
4. Take the train to Hatfield Station
5. Take any Uno bus from outside the station (making sure to check the direction of the bus)
6. Exit at the University of Hertfordshire College Lane or de Havilland campus
1. Make your way to the Gatwick Airport Railway Station located at the South Terminal
2. Take the train to Finsbury Park Station
3. Change at Finsbury park and take the train to Hatfield Station
4. Take any Uno bus from outside the station (making sure to check the direction of the bus)
5. Exit at the University of Hertfordshire College Lane or de Havilland campus
1. Walk to Stansted Airport Railway Station, located directly below the terminals
2. Take the train to Tottenham Hale Station
3. Make your way to the Underground station in Tottenham Hale
4. Take a Victoria Line train to Finsbury Park
5. Change at Finsbury Park and take an overground train to Hatfield Station
6. Take any Uno bus from outside the station (making sure to check the direction of the bus)
7. Exit at the University of Hertfordshire College Lane or de Havilland campus
1. Take the shuttle bus from Luton Airport to Luton Airport Parkway Railway Station
2. Take the train to London St Pancras International Railway Station
3. Follow signage to London King's Cross Railway Station (either via the tunnel that connects the two stations, or by exiting the station at street level and crossing the road to King's Cross)
4. Take the overground rail to Hatfield Station
5. Take any Uno bus from outside the station (making sure to check the direction of the bus)
6. Exit at the University of Hertfordshire College Lane or de Havilland campus
You may prefer to take a taxi to the University. If you do this please make sure:
- you get a cab from the official taxi rank at the airport or book in advance
- you have the University's address clearly written on a piece of paper
- you have cash to cover the cost of the journey (between £50 and £135 dependent on your arrival airport).
If you would like to pre-book your taxi Sparks Cars is a company local to the University with experience of collecting our international students.
You must book your taxi at least 72 hours before departure. Tell them your:
- full name
- arrival date and time
- flight number
- UK airport and terminal
- mobile phone number - please provide one that will work in the UK upon landing so you can be contacted by the driver.
We have provided a list of taxis companies and if travelling from Heathrow the cost is estimated to be £40 - 60. If you are travelling from other airports, the prices will be different. You should look to pre-book your taxi.
On arrival
Once you arrive in the UK the University of Hertfordshire will provide a number of services to help you get settled and find your bearings.
This section gives information on:
- Where to go when you get here
- Living in the UK
- How to spend your leisure time
Staying on campus?
If you are living on campus with us, you will need to complete the Halls of Residence Information Form which will be provided to you by the accommodation team. A link may be provided to you by the Dean of Students via email before your arrival.
Next steps
Please continue to the 'Life in the United Kingdom' section which also covers travel guidance during COVID-19.