Student Letters

During your time at Herts, you may need a letter to prove your student status

• Why you may need a student letter
• When you may need a different proof of identity
• Express letters vs manual letters
• How to request a student letter

Why you may need a student letter

We’ve listed the most common reasons you may wish to request a student letter below. You’ll also find links to supporting information for some of the situations.

✅ Living in the UK

• To open a bank account (most banks will accept your UCAS letter and ID number)
• To access a Council Tax Exemption.

✅ Travel

• To apply for a travel visa
• To show an Immigration Officer when you re-enter the UK after travel abroad (though, this is not a legal requirement)

✅ Military exemption

• To access an Army Exemption (if your home Country has mandatory Army service and you need a document confirming your studies, request it here)

✅ Bringing visitors to the UK

• To support a visa application for guests to attend your Graduation (request at the time of graduation registration)
• To support a visa application for friends or family who wish to visit the UK

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When you may need a different proof of identity rather than a student letter

• To apply for a National Insurance Number
• To share with an employer or other third party as they complete your ‘Right to work’ check
• To register with the University Medical Centre or other GP in the UK

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Express letters vs manual letters

You can access a student letter quickly if you meet certain criteria. If not, you can still get a letter but it will take a little bit longer. You can access an express student letter if:

• Your Student Record shows 'Registered' on the home page.
• It is no more than 40 days before the start date of your course.
• The end date of your academic year is in the future.
• It has been at least 24 hours since you completed your registration.
• You are, or will be, studying full-time in a course based on our Hatfield campus

If you do not meet these criteria or if you owe debt to the University, you will need to request a manual letter. See below for details.

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How to request a student letter

The way you request your letter may depend upon what type of student you are, and your specific circumstances.

If you are a full-time University of Hertfordshire student with no debt to the University, you can use the express letter service via Ask Herts:

1. Make sure the details (including your addresses) on your Student Record are correct as the letter will replicate this information.
2. Complete this form to request your student letter.
3. Wait around 15 minutes for your letter to be sent to the personal email address on your Student Record (check your junk folder if it doesn’t come to your main inbox). 

⚠️  Please note that you will be unable to access the express letter service between academic years, including the Summer vacation period.

All other students should request letters as follows:

Student type	How to get your letter
Consortium college/partnership institution students	Request your letter directly from your college/partner institution.
Hertfordshire International College (HIC) students	Contact the HIC College Services Team in the HIC Building to request your letter. Learn more about HIC student letters.
Doctoral College students	Request your letter from the Doctoral College.
Part-time / online / distance learning students	Contact the Ask Herts team using the button at the bottom of the page. Include your full name and student ID number
Students with outstanding debt to the University of Hertfordshire	You will not be able to use the express letter service. Instead, please contact the Ask Herts team to request a manual letter. Include the reason for your letter, full name and student ID. We will ensure your request is passed to the correct administrative team who will send your letter within 10 working days.

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