University of Hertfordshire - Great for studying, but nightlife can get a bit repetative... (University of Hertfordshire in general)

Member Name: philb2076

Product:	University of Hertfordshire in general
Date:	12/06/09 (197 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Very well respected, great learning facilities, great sport facilities, all on campus!

Disadvantages: Surrounding town is run down, night life is limited

Last year I completed my Studies at the University of Hertfordshire, leaving with a 2:1 in Automotive Engineering, and some very happy memories. Being a Lancashire lad it was a big event to make the journey down the M1 to the fabled 'south', so what could have possibly persuaded me choose Hertfordshire over Northern University?

STUDYING

Well for starters if you're considering Engineering, especially aerospace (planes), the town of Hatfield was once a hub for the famous de Havilland Aircraft Company, which from the early 1920's through to the swinging 60's produced some of the most innovative and class leading planes in the world. Nowadays, although the factories have long gone, the university still flies the flag for de Havilland by producing some of the finest aerospace engineering graduates in the country.

In terms of my studies in Automotive Engineering the University is very highly respected, and for good reason. I won't bore you with the course content, bit suffice to say it was of a high standard. Each year there is also an opportunity for students to participate in the design and manufacture of a single seater race car, to compete in a competition known as formula student against universities around the country and the world. Hertfordshire excels in producing some of the most reliable and competitive cars at the event and regularly takes home the top spoils. In fact when I was leaving we not only had a great petrol car, but a very successful hydrogen powered race car to boot. This year I believe they are also running an electric car...

Don't just think Hertfordshire is a one trek pony though; it also has very good founding in a vast array of subjects including Law, Nursing, Business, Computer Studies, Psychology, Physics, Chemistry, Maths... and many, many more.

Both campuses have a very Large LRC (Learning Recourse Centre, or Library to you and me). My experiences focussed around the amin campus LRC, which stands on three levels, with a small cafe below decks. Both facilities are open 24 hours a day (believe me I've tested it!), and has areas to suit everyone, with a wealth of computers, group study rooms, silent rooms, and even personal study rooms, and of course a lot of books!

NIGHT LIFE

Now enough about the studying, as we all know University is not just reading books! Unfortunately, it's on that side that Hertfordshire is a bit of a mixed bag, and struggles to compete with its city based counterparts. The university is split into two campuses, the main of which has a club and a bar, both of which are nothing too special. That said however, in the first year when everyone lives on campus it was great that you would meet practically everyone you knew in the club, as that was really the only place to go (we loved it!).

After 4 years though you have grown tired of haunting the same places on the dance floor and yearn for choice. Outside of campus there are only really a few local bars in Hatfield, which are not the most 'student friendly' and can be a bit depressing. This really leaves you with a short £1 trip to nearby St Albans, or painfully long bus ride to Watford! To me St Albans is better visited for its bars rather than its clubs, there are the usual favourites ( Wetherspoons, Lloyds, O'Neil's), and then a few more lively ones as the night moves on.

Basically if you want fantastic night life choose Cardiff, Liverpool or Leeds in my opinion, absolutely fantastic places to visit!

SHOPPING

To keep you alive and in good supply of alcohol, the nearest supermarket is an ASDA situated in the middle of town (approx 15 min walk). Alternatively there is a Uni-Shop on campus that sells basics at a high price, or there are a couple of shops (Co-op and One Stop) about 5-10 min walk away. If you have a car I would recommend the large TESCO on the edge of town.
Other shopping wise there are currently three main choices:

1) The Galleria in between the two campuses which is a large indoor outlet facility, with a good selection of well known shops, a food court, and cinema.

2) St Albans, which boasts a better selection of shops spread out across the city centre.

3) Hatfield town centre.... not recommended..... Although plans were underway as I left to redevelop the town centre and bring in some big name stores.

ACTIVITIES

The University is packed full of clubs and society's you can join that cover practically any sport /venture or belief you can think of... anyone up for a spot of skydiving, fencing, or rock climbing... no I wasn't either but some people where! The university has top competing Football, American Football, Lacrosse, Hockey, and even Cheerleading teams.

The second campus has a large sporting facility which hosts all the standard sports (including a large pool, gym, and many outdoor pitches). Membership to the centre is open to the general public but is discounted for students.

ACCOMODATION

There are 4 choices when it comes to accommodation:

1) De Havilland Campus - The most expensive of the three options, students share a flat with 10 others, each has their own fridge, and shower room with toilet, and there is a shared kitchen/lounge. Although this is the best accommodation, it is situated on the second campus away form the main club and bar... so to me is not worth the extra comfort.

2) Roberts Way - A group of small purpose built houses, located to the top of the main campus. Here you share a 'modest' kitchen and two toilet/shower rooms with 7 other students. Although the rooms are small and the facilities are a bit basic, the community spirit is strong in Roberts's way and you will quickly meet and socialise with your neighbours.

3) Halls - The most basic and cheapest accommodation. Located in-between Roberts's way and Telford Court, you will have a room in an older and as a result poorer quality building. Can be good fun (as you share with 12 others), but as a result pretty noisy if you want to get some studying done.

4) Telford Court - This is a nice medium which combines some of the comforts of De Havilland, with the convenience of being in the middle of the main campus. Basically there are a series of flat blocks with have 4-5 levels. Each flat holds 6 students and has descent sized rooms, a shared kitchen, two separate showers, a shower/toilet, and a separate toilet. The interior is laid out in a very sociable arrangement, but in term of socialising with other flats there is not much of a community spirit as in Roberts Way. This would be my recommended accommodation to anyone.

In second and third year you have to venture of campus and find a house through student lettings. As I have already mentioned the town itself is not the best so look and book early to avoid getting stuck in a bad area, and a worse house. I would recommend somewhere near the Galleria, in-between the ASDA and main campus as this is close to all the places you need.

SUMMARY

University life is what you make of it, no matter where you are, what you are doing, it's the people who you are with who pull you through and keep your spirits up! I enjoyed my time at Hertfordshire because I was studying something I love and found a group of friends who will be with me for the rest of my life. That said if it were in a better area the experience may have been that much greater. For anyone considering Hertfordshire, I would defiantly recommend visiting on an open day and grabbing one of the guides to get their personal opinion on any doubt you may have.

Thanks for reading, of you are thinking of going to hertfordshire and need some advice, feel free to message me and I will try to help,

Phil

Summary: It is what you make of it, I enjoyed every second, but others may want more nightlife