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Student ID card

Last updated: 13/02/2023 10:45

Your student ID card offers proof of identity, library and e-learning access and the ability to gain entry to university buildings.

Your student ID card is valid for the duration of your study, and you must carry it on university premises.

Collecting your student ID card is a mandatory step in the enrolment process. If you are attending campus, you will need to pick up your card in person within three weeks of the start date of your course.

You must collect your student ID card once you join campus to complete enrolment.

Before we can issue your ID card, you must complete online enrolment. Once you have completed online enrolment, you can collect your student ID card from one of the collection point venues listed below.

International students

International students studying on campus must bring their original passport and visa documents to confirm their right to study so that a student ID card can be issued.

If you are an international student (from outside the EU), you will need to bring your passport and Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) with you to collect your student ID card. If you have chosen to collect your BRP from the university, you will receive an email when it is ready and where to collect it.

If you are an international student (from within the EU/EEA), you will need to bring a share code with you for us to verify your immigration status, along with your passport.

Home or EU students (with settled/pre-settled status)

If you are a home or EUSS (EU student with settled or pre-settled status in the UK), you can collect your student ID card from one of the collection points below.

If you have not completed the Right to Study (RTS) checks in advance, you must bring your passport/birth certificate with you. You have the opportunity to submit your RTS documents and upload a photograph to be used on your student ID card through your SIMS account once you have completed online enrolment.

If you have applied for funding through Student Finance, this will only be released when you have confirmed your RTS.

If you are a home student and have already uploaded your identity documents, you will need to bring a form of ID. If you have not been able to upload your identity documents (passport/birth certificate) you must bring one of them with you to collect your student card.

If you are an international student, you will need to bring your original passport and visa documents to the student ID card collection venue.

To find out more, see our list of acceptable documentation.

Make sure you have your student number to hand.

Students should collect their student ID cards from the following locations unless your school has informed you of separately arranged events.

International and home students (Cathays)

Collection and issue is Monday to Friday 08:30 to 16:00 from Student Connect (Ground Floor) Centre for Student Life.

If you are unable to collect during these times please contact Student Connect who will arrange an appointment time between 08:00 to 20:00.

Home students (Heath)

Monday to Friday, 10:00 to 15:00 from Cochrane Building (Ground Floor), Heath Park.

If you are attending campus, you have not completed the enrolment process until you have collected your student ID card.

If you're an international student, the University is required under its sponsor licence agreement with the United Kingdom Visa Immigration (UKVI) to report you as 'Not in attendance'.

Under University regulations, failure to collect your student card within four weeks of the start of your course may affect your studies at Cardiff University.

Changing your programme may have an impact on the duration of your study. If you change your programme, you will need to get a new student ID card from one of the student ID card collection points.

If you're on a course designated as distance learning and wish to have a student ID card (although this is not mandatory), you'll need to complete the student ID card application form and send it to your School office with a passport photograph.

You'll need to make arrangements with your School for its distribution once it has been produced.

Should your ID card become lost, stolen or damaged you can request a replacement at the Centre for Student Life. A £10 replacement fee may apply.

You can access a digital version of your Student ID Card via our Student App which is free to download.

Contact us

For all enquiries regarding student ID cards, contact:

Student Connect