Is the University of Hertfordshire public or private?

The University of Hertfordshire is a public university in Hatfield, England. It traces its roots to Hatfield Technical College, opened in 1952 on land donated by the de Havilland Aircraft Company, became Hatfield Polytechnic in 1969 and gained university status in 1992.

What language are programmes taught in?

All programmes referenced here are taught in English. Standard English-language requirements are IELTS 6.0 overall (no band below 5.5) for undergraduate entry and IELTS 6.5 (no band below 5.5) for postgraduate entry, though some courses set higher or additional thresholds - always check the specific course page.

Can I get direct admission straight after Class 12 or A-levels, or is a bridge year required?

Most undergraduate degrees admit international students directly from an accepted secondary qualification equivalent (e.g. A-levels, IB, or an accepted Class 12 result with the required grades), without a mandatory foundation year, provided subject and English-language requirements are met. Applicants below the standard entry profile can apply via a foundation or Extended Degree route where offered.

What does a Herts degree actually cost in total, including living costs?

For 2025/26 entry, Standard undergraduate tuition is a flat GBP15,965/year regardless of school, Standard postgraduate (1-year) tuition is GBP17,250/year, and Non-standard postgraduate programmes in the School of Physics, Engineering & Computer Science or School of Life & Medical Sciences are GBP19,800/year; the Hertfordshire MBA sits on its own separate premium schedule. On top of tuition, budget separately for a GBP5,000 minimum visa deposit, halls (roughly GBP134-220+/week depending on room type) and everyday living costs, using the university's own cost-of-living guidance.

Full-time undergraduate applicants apply through UCAS. Postgraduate taught and research applicants, and most international undergraduate applicants outside UCAS deadlines, apply directly to the University of Hertfordshire through its own online international application system.

What English-language test scores are accepted?

Herts accepts UKVI-approved Secure English Language Tests, Academic IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, Cambridge English and Trinity College London English, with IELTS 6.0 (undergraduate) or 6.5 (postgraduate) as standard minimums, no band below 5.5. Test results must remain valid (within 2 years) up to the date a CAS is issued.

Are there programme-specific admission requirements, like a portfolio or interview?

Yes. Creative Arts courses such as 3D Games Art & Design, MA Games Art and Design and Film and Television Production typically require a portfolio or creative submission; MPharm applicants are assessed against Chemistry and Biology entry profiles and pharmacy-specific criteria; Law degrees do not require an admissions test but do require the standard academic and English-language profile.

Are sandwich or placement years free, and do they help with costs?

Yes - Herts does not charge tuition fees during an approved sandwich placement or study-abroad year taken between years 2 and 3 on eligible courses (including Aerospace Engineering, Automotive Engineering and Business Management), though students must still budget for accommodation and living costs during the placement, and placement offers from named employers are competitive rather than guaranteed.

When do intakes start and when should I apply?

Most full-time undergraduate courses start in September. A number of postgraduate taught courses, particularly in the Business School, also offer a January start. Postgraduate research (PhD/MPhil) admission runs on a rolling, year-round basis. International applicants should apply well ahead of the visa and CAS-deposit process described on the university's international pages.

What deposit or visa-related payment is required before I can enrol?

Students who need University sponsorship for a Student visa must pay a minimum GBP5,000 deposit before a CAS is issued; this is offset against first-year tuition. From 2025/26-entry cohorts onward, 50% of tuition is also payable before registration each year. A full refund applies if a visa is refused or academic/financial offer conditions are not met.

What does UK professional accreditation mean for my home-country recognition?

Accreditations such as RAeS (Aerospace Engineering), GPhC (MPharm), BCS (Computer Science) and the Law Society/SQE-aligned LLB confirm the degree meets specific UK professional academic requirements, but they do not automatically confer a licence to practise outside the UK or, for GPhC/legal routes, even inside the UK without further registration steps (e.g. the GPhC Foundation year, or SQE/Bar training). International students should check their home-country regulator's own recognition rules separately.

How does Herts compare with other London-region universities?

Herts sits about 20 minutes by train from London King's Cross, giving London-adjacent access to internships, industry contacts and Elstree Studios film-industry work, while keeping tuition and typical living costs below many inner-London universities. Its distinguishing strengths versus other London-region options are its RAeS-accredited Aerospace/Automotive Engineering programmes and Bayfordbury Observatory, both uncommon among London-area universities.

Is the University of Hertfordshire public or private?

The University of Hertfordshire is a public university in Hatfield, England. It traces its roots to Hatfield Technical College, opened in 1952 on land donated by the de Havilland Aircraft Company, became Hatfield Polytechnic in 1969 and gained university status in 1992.

What language are programmes taught in?

All programmes referenced here are taught in English. Standard English-language requirements are IELTS 6.0 overall (no band below 5.5) for undergraduate entry and IELTS 6.5 (no band below 5.5) for postgraduate entry, though some courses set higher or additional thresholds - always check the specific course page.

Can I get direct admission straight after Class 12 or A-levels, or is a bridge year required?

Most undergraduate degrees admit international students directly from an accepted secondary qualification equivalent (e.g. A-levels, IB, or an accepted Class 12 result with the required grades), without a mandatory foundation year, provided subject and English-language requirements are met. Applicants below the standard entry profile can apply via a foundation or Extended Degree route where offered.

What does a Herts degree actually cost in total, including living costs?

For 2025/26 entry, Standard undergraduate tuition is a flat GBP15,965/year regardless of school, Standard postgraduate (1-year) tuition is GBP17,250/year, and Non-standard postgraduate programmes in the School of Physics, Engineering & Computer Science or School of Life & Medical Sciences are GBP19,800/year; the Hertfordshire MBA sits on its own separate premium schedule. On top of tuition, budget separately for a GBP5,000 minimum visa deposit, halls (roughly GBP134-220+/week depending on room type) and everyday living costs, using the university's own cost-of-living guidance.

Full-time undergraduate applicants apply through UCAS. Postgraduate taught and research applicants, and most international undergraduate applicants outside UCAS deadlines, apply directly to the University of Hertfordshire through its own online international application system.

What English-language test scores are accepted?

Herts accepts UKVI-approved Secure English Language Tests, Academic IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, Cambridge English and Trinity College London English, with IELTS 6.0 (undergraduate) or 6.5 (postgraduate) as standard minimums, no band below 5.5. Test results must remain valid (within 2 years) up to the date a CAS is issued.

Are there programme-specific admission requirements, like a portfolio or interview?

Yes. Creative Arts courses such as 3D Games Art & Design, MA Games Art and Design and Film and Television Production typically require a portfolio or creative submission; MPharm applicants are assessed against Chemistry and Biology entry profiles and pharmacy-specific criteria; Law degrees do not require an admissions test but do require the standard academic and English-language profile.

Are sandwich or placement years free, and do they help with costs?

Yes - Herts does not charge tuition fees during an approved sandwich placement or study-abroad year taken between years 2 and 3 on eligible courses (including Aerospace Engineering, Automotive Engineering and Business Management), though students must still budget for accommodation and living costs during the placement, and placement offers from named employers are competitive rather than guaranteed.

When do intakes start and when should I apply?

Most full-time undergraduate courses start in September. A number of postgraduate taught courses, particularly in the Business School, also offer a January start. Postgraduate research (PhD/MPhil) admission runs on a rolling, year-round basis. International applicants should apply well ahead of the visa and CAS-deposit process described on the university's international pages.

What deposit or visa-related payment is required before I can enrol?

Students who need University sponsorship for a Student visa must pay a minimum GBP5,000 deposit before a CAS is issued; this is offset against first-year tuition. From 2025/26-entry cohorts onward, 50% of tuition is also payable before registration each year. A full refund applies if a visa is refused or academic/financial offer conditions are not met.

What does UK professional accreditation mean for my home-country recognition?

Accreditations such as RAeS (Aerospace Engineering), GPhC (MPharm), BCS (Computer Science) and the Law Society/SQE-aligned LLB confirm the degree meets specific UK professional academic requirements, but they do not automatically confer a licence to practise outside the UK or, for GPhC/legal routes, even inside the UK without further registration steps (e.g. the GPhC Foundation year, or SQE/Bar training). International students should check their home-country regulator's own recognition rules separately.

How does Herts compare with other London-region universities?

Herts sits about 20 minutes by train from London King's Cross, giving London-adjacent access to internships, industry contacts and Elstree Studios film-industry work, while keeping tuition and typical living costs below many inner-London universities. Its distinguishing strengths versus other London-region options are its RAeS-accredited Aerospace/Automotive Engineering programmes and Bayfordbury Observatory, both uncommon among London-area universities.

India's Trusted
Study Abroad Platform

University of Hertfordshire

The University of Hertfordshire is a public university in Hatfield, England, tracing its roots to Hatfield Technical College (1948) and gaining university status in 1992.

Written by Students Traffic Research Team·Updated On: 12 Jul 2026

University of Hertfordshire campus overview

Official annual fee

£15,965

Location

Hatfield, United Kingdom

University of Hertfordshire

The University of Hertfordshire is a public university in Hatfield, England, tracing its roots to Hatfield Technical College (1948) and gaining university status in 1992.

Written by Students Traffic Research Team·Updated On: 12 Jul 2026

Official annual fee

£15,965

Location

Hatfield, United Kingdom

University type

Public

Herts runs two main Hatfield campuses: College Lane, the original 1952 site anchoring Engineering, Computing, Life & Medical Sciences and Art & Design, and the GBP120m de Havilland Campus (opened 2003), home to the Business School, Law School and a sports village. Bayfordbury Observatory, six miles away, is a 50-hectare teaching-observatory site with seven optical and four radio telescopes. The university holds TEF Silver (2023) and ranked in the UK top 25% for research impact in REF 2021, with 78% of research rated world-leading or internationally excellent.

Hatfield, United KingdomEst. 1952Public University

Why students choose it

RAeS-accredited Aerospace Engineering and a 30-year-established Automotive Engineering programme, with named placements at Airbus, BAE Systems, Bentley Motors, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and McLaren Automotive.
GPhC-accredited MPharm with clinical placements in community, hospital, primary-care and industrial pharmacy settings across all four years.
Bayfordbury Observatory, one of the UK's largest university teaching observatories, gives Physics and Astrophysics students hands-on telescope access within weeks of starting.

Things to consider

An LLB or MPharm degree alone does not confer a right to practise; further SQE/Bar training (law) or GPhC Foundation-year registration (pharmacy) is required afterwards.
Postgraduate fees differ by school: 2025/26 non-standard postgraduate fees for SPECS and Life & Medical Sciences programmes run around GBP19,800/year against a GBP17,250 standard postgraduate band elsewhere - confirm the exact band for your course.
A GBP5,000 minimum deposit is payable before a CAS is issued for students needing a Student visa, and from 2025/26 entry, 50% of tuition is due before each year's registration.

Best fit for

Students targeting the UK aerospace, automotive/motorsport or defence engineering sector who want RAeS-accredited coursework plus named industry placements.
Aspiring pharmacists who want a GPhC-accredited MPharm with placements across all four years rather than a split BSc-plus-conversion route.
Students who want serious hands-on astronomy access via a dedicated teaching observatory, not just classroom astrophysics content within a general physics degree.

Programs at this university

22 programmes

Campus environment image

Image placeholder

Hertfordshire is a relatively low-crime county compared with inner London; both campuses have 24/7 on-site security, CCTV and staffed hall reception. The university runs a Student Wellbeing service and publishes student-safety guidance on personal safety, harassment reporting and out-of-hours support. International students should still take standard UK precautions around late-night travel and securing valuables in shared housing. International students get pre-arrival guidance and an International Student Advice team handling visa, ATAS and CAS queries. On arrival, students complete registration, can enrol with a local GP and join Students' Union subject and international societies. The university's international FAQ and pre-arrival guide cover banking and settling-in logistics; academic tutors and wellbeing services are open to all students.

Talk to a student

These students studied here and can answer your real questions about academics, hostel life, and daily experience.

No student contacts listed yet for this university.

Request a student conversation

Share your details and we'll match you with a registered student who can answer your questions directly.

Add a review

Share your perspective on University of Hertfordshire with either a written review or a YouTube video review.

Ready for the next step?

Get guidance for University of Hertfordshire

Our counsellors help with the full admissions process, including application, documents, and visa support. Request a call and we'll walk you through the next steps clearly.

Frequently asked questions

Other universities in United Kingdom

Public

United Kingdom

Coventry University

Public

United Kingdom

Cranfield University

Public

United Kingdom

De Montfort University

Public

United Kingdom

Durham University

Goldsmiths, University of London campus overview

Public

United Kingdom

Goldsmiths, University of London

Public

United Kingdom