Once you arrive

• Film, Music and Media Building
• Fashion Teaching Building
• Main Reception
• Spectra
• Nexus Science Building
• LRC (Library)
• Hertfordshire International College (HIC)
• Hutton Hub including Ask Herts Hub (Hutton)
• Hertfordshire Students' Union
• The Oval Accommodation Hub and 24/7 Gym
• Multi-Faith Space (The Key)
• The Forum, including Starbucks, Subway and restaurant

de Havilland is home to Hertfordshire Business School and Hertfordshire Law School. Here you’ll also find our extensive Sports Village and our main performing arts venue; the Weston Auditorium. Programmes in Sports and Sport Science are also taught on the de Havilland Campus.

• Law Building
• Enterprise Hub, including Starbucks
• LRC (Library)
• Accommodation
• Weston Auditorium
• de Havilland restaurant
• Multi-Faith Space
• Main Teaching Building including Ask Herts Hub (de Havilland)
• 25 Metre Swimming Centre
• Hertfordshire Sports Village
• Sport Science Building

All events will be posted on the events calendar. Save it to your favourites tabs  and check back regularly to keep up to date on the activities happening on campus!

To help you settle into life at the University, we run a free Orientation week hosted by the Dean of Students Team. The Orientation week for January 2025 runs alongside the main start of term from Monday 20 January. There will be activities scheduled across the weeks to allow you to get involved around your classes.

This is an excellent opportunity for you to start making friends, learn your way around the local area and settle into life in the UK.

The timetable of events will be available online and will be visible in the events calendar.

Student Wellbeing is here to support you with any emotional, mental health, disability and health related issues which you may experience throughout your time at university. All of our services are delivered by trained and experienced staff who take a holistic and multi-disciplinary approach to ensure that you get the best support possible.

Read more about the student wellbeing support at Herts.

Every year the University and Hertfordshire Students’ Union publishes our student charter. This sets out individual and shared commitments between the University, the Students’ Union and our students to ensure they can make the most of their experience at Herts. Read our Student Charter.

The Student Community and Safeguarding Team are available to help resolve issues or difficulties students may have when living off campus.  These issues may relate to disputes with your neighbours or fellow housemates, to issues with your Landlord or Letting Agent.

Find out more about off campus support on Ask Herts.

Make sure you set yourself a budget to keep track of your spending. Check through our cost of living guidance and budgeting tips to help you prepare.

If you are bringing dependants, make sure you have researched childcare costs. The prices are available online for the on campus Day Nursery.

Check the liability dates for the remainder of your tuition fees.

You need to ensure that you make the required payments and the funds are received by the liability date deadlines, or you risk losing access to your learning materials and being withdrawn from the course.

Unfortunately the University is unable to accept payments in cash for accommodation and tuition fees so you will need to pay via one of the accepted payment methods.

It is generally cheaper to buy your own phone, and find a SIM-only or Pay-as-you-go contract, but if you do so make sure to get your device insured, since the phone company won't offer upgrades on these types of contracts. Companies like GiffGaff offer these SIM-only Pay-as-you-go plans which may suit you and help you budget your finances.

You can collect a free GiffGaff or Labara SIM card once you arrive on campus. Labara will be at the International Information Fair during the Start of Term events! You can also pick up a SIM at the Welcome Desks on campus. If you would like more information on collecting a free SIM card, you can email community@herts.ac.uk.

If you need to get a new phone contract in the UK, you can either find a phone shop in town, or apply online via any of the popular phone companies listed below. Many students have their contracts paid for them by their parents, but should you want to pay for your own, you may be credit checked. You can check your credit rating for free online, but if you've not had a credit card or a job with regular income, you are unlikely to have a high enough credit score.

If this is the case, don't worry! Most networks offer deals for students if you search for them, as well as companies such as VOXI and Smarty which are created for people aged 25 or younger and offer unique plans without credit checks.

O2, EE, Three Mobile, and Vodafone are the four major networks that are likely to have their own high street shops, but other companies such as GiffGaff, ID Mobile, Smarty, VOXI, and Ecotalk each have competitive pricing and unique selling points, so it's worth shopping around to find which company offers the right contract for you.

Visa regulations

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

If you are studying on a course classed as below degree level, which includes 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 - either paid or unpaid.

Your eVisa will tell you how many hours you are allowed to work.

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

Study, work, life balance

Your studies should take priority over any part time work you plan to do. Your course is the reason you came to the UK, and you want to ensure you can reach your best academic achievements through dedicated study time.

If you are planning to have a part time job during your studies, ensure you allow yourself enough free time to have a good work-life-study balance.

Work placements

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.

Supermarkets

There are multiple supermarkets within walking distance of campus, such as Asda, Aldi, and some speciality stores like Nagoya Oriental. If you’re looking for a taste of home, there are plenty of supermarkets around Hertfordshire and London who sell authentic ingredients from across the world.

During Orientation and Freshers week, there will be a trip to the local supermarket to help you familiarise yourself with the route and how to use the self-service check out tills often found at larger stores.

University shop

The on campus shop has a range of essentials. If you only have cash available when you first get to campus, you can put cash on the UPAY app in store, to use your app credit in the campus shop and cafes. Simply download the UPAY app on your device (App Store | Google Play Store). Use the affiliate code “HERTS” during sign up.

Read more about UPAY on AskHerts.

Tap water in the UK is safe to drink and very clean, so you can also drink water straight from the tap in your accommodation.

• the University runs free shuttle buses between the College Lane and de Havilland campuses.
• when the bus you want to board is approaching, stick your arm out to signal to the driver you wish to board.
• queuing etiquette will be expected when boarding buses and you should allow passengers off the bus before trying to get on. Do not push to get onto the bus, instead wait in an orderly queue.
• have your payment method ready before boarding the bus. If using Unobus also have your Student ID ready to show the driver so your discount can be applied. On UnoBus app, you can buy tickets on the app for discounted rate and faster boarding. For example 10x single journeys from Hatfield station to campus is £11.50 for the bundle as of November 2024.
• when getting on the bus, tell the driver where you’re going and wait for your ticket to be printed by the driver if you aren't using an electronic ticket on the app. Most buses now have contactless payment and you are encouraged to pay with a contactless bank card if not using tickets on the app. If you only have cash, try to pay with the correct change – bus drivers may not accept larger notes.
• it may be cheaper to buy weekly or monthly tickets if you travel by bus regularly.
• when you’re approaching your stop, press the bell to let the driver know you wish to get off.

More information about the Uno Bus network and their routes can be found here.

• it may be cheaper to pre-book a taxi if you know when you will be travelling
• for your first flight to the UK, many taxi firms recommend students pre-book their taxi from the airport at least two days before travel due to demand levels
• there are many mobile apps in the UK through which you can book a taxi
• most taxi prices are calculated by a taxi meter, ensure the meter is running when you travel
• always pay for your taxi. This can be done through the mobile app or in cash – some taxis also accept debit and credit cards

• the easiest way to travel on the Underground is with an Oyster card, Travelcard or contactless payment
• mobile apps can help you navigate the London Underground with ease
• visit the Transport for London website for information regarding London Underground services

To get to the train station, you can take almost any Uno Bus from either campus. If you're unsure about whether the bus is going in the right direction for you, don't be afraid to ask the driver before getting on.

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.

You must ensure you are familiar with the rules of the highway code before driving in the UK.

The Student Immigration Advisors are here to help students with any queries they may have about student visas, and to help, where necessary, to extend their time in the UK. The advice we give is free.

If you have a Student Visa, it’s important that you act in a way which protects your immigration status, find out how to do this on the UKCISA website.

As a Student sponsor the University has a legal duty to report to the UK immigration authorities those Student Visa holders who:

• Fail to enrol for their course within the enrolment period
• Leave their studies (permanently or temporarily)
• Are absent without permission
• Complete their course earlier than expected
• Raise suspicion that they may be in breach of the terms of their visa

It is illegal to alter any official documents produced by the University or any other company. This includes changing information on PDF and emails provided to you.

If you believe something is incorrect on an official document or email, you must make enquiries with the person who produced the document to see if corrections can be made and an updated document provided to you. You must not alter the document yourself.

Ensure you are familiar with the University's policies and regulations, in particular UPR SA 18, the Requirements for Student Route Applicant and Students. You can read the policies and regulations on our website