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Before you travel to the UK

Pay your fees

This page will prepare you for your journey to the UK and to the University campus. Read through the sections to make sure you have everything you need, know what to expect, and how to get to us after your flight.

Arrange accommodation Bringing your family Visa and entry clearance What to pack Airport guidance Getting to Herts Arriving at accommodation

Arrange Accommodation

You must arrange your accommodation before you arrive in the UK.

We strongly recommend new students to live on campus due to the additional support easily available, and being within walking distance to your lectures.

Accommodation common room with table tennis
Accommodation shared kitchen area
Accommodation Townhouse bedroom
Accommodation Studio Room
Accommodation shared common room sofa area
Accommodation outside view

Bringing your family to the UK

Due to recent changes to the Student Route, students coming to study postgraduate taught courses beginning after the 1 January 2024 are no longer eligible to bring dependants. Students studying for research or PhD courses are still eligible to bring dependants.

If you are eligible and bringing dependants with you, you need to think about more than just your own arrangements. Ensure suitable accommodation and childcare arrangements are made in advance.

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.

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, and restrictions on driving in the UK.

The British Government provides useful information about Student Visas guidance and you can also read our Student visa guidance.

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, as travellers' cheques or having a bank card you know will work in the UK.

Airport guidance for when you land

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.

Getting from the airport to your accommodation

We recommend taking advantage of our free airport collection wherever possible. If you do need to make your own way to your accommodation, ensure you research your route in advance to make it easier for you to navigate after a long flight.

Cheapest route
1. Get bus 724 from Heathrow Airport Heathrow Central Bus Station to Hatfield Station
2. Take any Uno bus from outside the station (making sure to check the direction of the bus). Some routes will be quicker and more direct and you can check the bus routes online

Fastest route
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). Some routes will be quicker and more direct and you can check the bus routes online
6. Exit at the University of Hertfordshire College Lane or de Havilland 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). Some routes will be quicker and more direct and you can check the bus routes online
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). Some routes will be quicker and more direct and you can check the bus routes online
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 St Albans Railway Station
3. Take an Uno bus from outside the station (making sure to check the direction of the bus). You can use the 601, 602 or 653 routes. The 602 and 653 go to both campuses, but the 601 only goes to de Havilland where you can switch to the shuttle to get you to College Lane. The 601 and 602 routes are quicker and more direct. You can check the bus routes online
4. Exit at the University of Hertfordshire College Lane or de Havilland campus

You may prefer to take a taxi to the University. You can either pre-book a taxi before you travel to the UK. This will allow you to agree a price and pick up location before your flight. Otherwise you can get a non-booked taxi from the airport when you land.

Getting a non-booked taxi after you have landed

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).

Pre-booking a taxi before you fly

If you would like to pre-book your taxi, you can use one of the following companies local to the University. They have 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.

You should ask the taxi company about the price when you make your booking to ensure you have the funds you need to cover the cost of the journey.

Road safety awareness

The UK drives on the left side of the road, so remember that for when you are looking to cross a road as a pedestrian. You should also not step out onto a road without looking, and try to stick to walking on the pavement. Cars have right of way on the road over pedestrians, unless you are at a zebra or pelican crossing. You should wait until there is a safe gap before stepping out to cross the road. It is not safe to walk along busy roads like motorways or dual carriageways and pedestrians and cyclists should not take these routes.

Ensure you read up on road safety and the UK government rules and guidance for pedestrians.

If you are intending to drive in the UK, you must ensure you are familiar with the highway code and have the appropriate licence.

How to use UK buses

Arriving at your accommodation

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 Start Dates' section.

Start dates