Starting at the University of Hertfordshire and moving to Hatfield for the first time? This guide walks you through everything to sort before — and just after — you arrive, from finding a room to registering with a doctor and figuring out the buses.
1. Sort your accommodation first
The single biggest decision is where you'll live. University halls are convenient for first years, but they're not the only option — and they're often the most expensive. Many students move into a private house share from second year, and plenty of first years choose one too. House shares are usually cheaper, more sociable, and give you a real bedroom in a real home rather than a single block room.
If you go private, look for rooms with all bills included (gas, electricity, water and WiFi in one price) so you never get surprise utility bills mid-term. Check the distance to your campus — the University has two sites, de Havilland and College Lane — and confirm there are no agency fees before you commit. Tenant fees were banned in England in 2019, so you should never pay an admin or referencing charge to rent.
Tip: book your viewings early. Good rooms near campus fill up fast in the run-up to the September intake.
2. Get to grips with transport
Hatfield is compact and walkable, and most student housing is a short walk, cycle or bus ride from campus. The Uno bus network runs frequent services between the two University campuses, the town centre and the station. A bike is genuinely useful here — the town is flat and journeys are short.
For trips into London, Hatfield railway station runs Great Northern services to London King's Cross in around 35 minutes, plus links to Finsbury Park and Moorgate. That makes weekend trips to the capital easy and cheap with a 16–25 Railcard, which knocks a third off most fares.
3. Build a realistic budget
Beyond rent, plan for food, transport, course materials, your phone, and a bit of social spending. The big advantage of a bills-included room is that your largest monthly cost is fixed and predictable — there's no scramble to split an energy bill with housemates. As a full-time student you'll also be exempt from council tax, which saves a household hundreds of pounds a year (we explain exactly how in our student council tax guide).
4. Admin to do in your first fortnight
- Register with a GP. Sign up with a local doctor's surgery near your accommodation so you're covered if you get ill.
- Open or update your bank account. A UK student account often comes with a free railcard or interest-free overdraft.
- Get your TV Licence sorted if you watch or stream live TV or use BBC iPlayer.
- Sort your council tax exemption certificate through the University if you're asked for one.
- Set up contents insurance for your laptop and valuables — some policies are very cheap for students.
5. What to pack (and what to leave)
If you rent a furnished room, the bed, mattress, desk, chair and wardrobe are already there — so don't bring bulky furniture. Focus on bedding, towels, kitchen basics (a mug, plate, bowl, cutlery and a pan), a laptop, chargers, and a few things that make the room feel like yours: photos, a plant, fairy lights. You can buy almost everything else once you arrive at the retail parks and supermarkets nearby, including The Galleria outlet centre just up the road.
6. Settle in and meet people
The first few weeks can feel overwhelming, but they're also the easiest time to make friends — everyone's in the same boat. Say yes to Freshers' events, join a couple of societies through the Students' Union, and make the most of living with housemates. A sociable, well-run house share beats a quiet halls corridor for many students.
Ready to find your room in Hatfield?
We're a direct local landlord letting furnished, bills-included rooms across Hatfield AL10 — student-friendly, near both campuses, and with no agency fees. Browse student accommodation, compare our room types, or book a viewing and we'll reply within 24 hours.