Travelling to the UK
Plan your travel
Book your travel and arrange your accommodation before leaving home. Many students choose to arrive during arrivals weekend to give themselves time to settle before teaching starts. Check your course start date before confirming plans, as some courses begin earlier than others.
Before you set off, plan how you will get from the airport to your accommodation, keep your documents with you, and check what to expect when you arrive in the UK by referring to entering the UK guidance.
Tell us when you are arriving
Once your travel plans are confirmed, you will be able to complete the arrival form, so we know when to expect you. Check back on this page in mid-July when the form will be published.
Before you travel
Keep your important documents in your hand luggage so you can access them easily at the airport. This includes your passport, visa or entry clearance, CAS or unconditional offer letter, accommodation details, travel tickets, bank statements and insurance. You may also need qualification certificates, English language results, financial evidence or sponsor documents.
Check your airline baggage limits before you pack, and make sure your electrical items work with UK plugs. Review the UK Government’s customs guidance to check what you can and can’t bring into the UK. It’s a good idea to avoid carrying large amounts of cash and use a bank card or prepaid card instead.
What to pack
It helps to keep important items in your hand luggage, including medication, valuables, fragile items, your laptop, chargers, and a device you can use to access your eVisa. Have your UK address, emergency contact details, some money for onward travel, and any documents you may need at border control close to hand.
When packing your hold luggage, aim to keep it manageable and easy to carry. Check your airline baggage limits and make sure your electrical items will work in the UK. Pack clothes you can layer, a waterproof coat, and anything you may need straight away. Most everyday items can be bought once you arrive.
What documents will I need?
Travel documents | Your passport |
|---|---|
Your student visa or entry clearance, if required | |
Your visa decision letter, if applicable | |
Your travel tickets | |
Your accommodation details | |
Your travel insurance documents | |
Study documents | Your CAS or unconditional offer letter |
Your original qualification certificates | |
Your English language results | |
Certified translations, if required | |
Money and funding | A recent bank statement |
Proof of finances for fees and living costs | |
Proof of sponsorship, if you are sponsored | |
A bank card, prepaid card, or limited cash in GBP |
What to expect at the airport
When you arrive in the UK, you will go through passport control, where you will need to show your passport and visa. Keep these documents in your hand luggage so they are easy to access. You may also be asked to provide your accommodation details, Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) or offer letter, and evidence of how you are funding your studies. To ensure your passport is stamped, do not use the ePassport gates and instead proceed to a staffed border control desk.
Border officers may ask simple questions in English about your course, where you are staying, and your plans in the UK. Once you have completed passport control, collect your luggage and go through customs. If any belongings are missing or damaged, report this at the airport before leaving.
Getting to Hatfield
The University can be reached from all major London airports by train, bus, or taxi. The best option will depend on your budget, preferences, and how much luggage you have.
Hatfield is the nearest train station, with direct links from London King’s Cross. From there, you can take a short taxi or bus to campus. Planning your route in advance will help you feel more confident when you arrive.
We offer a free airport collection service from Heathrow to Herts on selected arrival dates. You can book this in advance.
You can also travel via central London by taking the Piccadilly Line to King’s Cross, then continuing by train to Hatfield. From the station, a short bus or taxi journey will take you to campus.
A direct bus (724) also runs from Heathrow to Hatfield.
From Gatwick Airport railway station, you can take a train to Finsbury Park, then change to a service to Hatfield. From Hatfield station, you can continue to campus by bus or taxi.
From Stansted Airport, take a train to Tottenham Hale, then continue on the Underground to Finsbury Park. From there, you can take a train to Hatfield. Once you arrive at Hatfield, a bus or taxi will take you on to campus.
From Luton Airport, take the shuttle bus to Luton Airport Parkway, then a train to St Albans. From St Albans, you can take an Uno bus to campus, with some routes going directly to both campuses.
Taxi’s offer a more direct option, which can be helpful if you are travelling with heavier luggage. If you choose to pre-book, it helps to share your flight details and contact number, and to confirm the price in advance. If you prefer, you can also use the official taxi rank when you arrive at the airport.
Book your free Heathrow airport collection
Flying into Heathrow on arrivals weekend? Bookings open from mid-July, when the form will be published, for you to book your space on our free airport collection service before you travel. Places are limited.
FAQs
Arrive before your course start date. Many students choose arrivals weekend so they have time to settle in, collect what they need, and get ready before teaching begins. Some courses start earlier than others, so always check your own course dates before you book your travel.
No. You must not travel to the UK until your visa has been approved. If you arrive without the correct permission, you may not be allowed to enter the country.
Keep anything you may need during your journey or at border control with you. This includes your passport, visa, CAS or offer letter, accommodation details, bank statement or financial evidence, medication, valuables, and a device you can use to access your eVisa if you have one.
Bring enough to cover your first few weeks in the UK, but avoid carrying large amounts of cash. A bank card or prepaid card is usually safer and easier to use.
No, not if you are travelling on a Student or Visitor visa. Go to a staffed border control desk so a Border Force officer can check your documents properly.
You may be asked about your course, where you will stay, and why you are coming to the UK. You should be ready to answer simple questions in English without an interpreter.
Report it at the airport before you leave. Go to the baggage desk near the luggage carousels and speak to airport staff so they can log the issue.
You can get to campus from all major London airports. Heathrow is the most commonly used airport for international students. It is also the airport used for the University’s free collection service.
Yes, but space is limited. You can bring one hand luggage bag, one small personal item, and one hold luggage bag per person. You must be able to carry and lift your own luggage.
No. We strongly advise you to take a direct flight to the UK and avoid travelling via the Republic of Ireland. If you enter through Ireland, you may not pass through UK immigration, which can cause problems for some students.
Complete the arrival form so we know when you are due to arrive. You should also tell your accommodation provider your arrival date so your room and key are ready.