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Collect your student ID card

Last updated: 06/12/2024 15:38

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

You must collect your student ID card in person within 3 weeks of the start date of your course. Students studying on a distance learning course are not required to collect a student ID card.

Collecting your student ID card is a mandatory step in the enrolment process. Before we can issue your student ID card, you must complete online enrolment.

Your student ID card can be used for:

  • registering your attendance at lectures
  • library borrowing, including the use of self-issue machines
  • printing, photocopying and scanning
  • accessing Sports Centre facilities (if you've purchased a membership)
  • gaining access to 24-hour computer rooms and libraries outside of core hours
  • proving your identity

You can access a digital version of your student ID card via our Student App . This is for identification purposes only and will not provide you access to buildings.

What you need to do to collect your student ID card

Home students

If you've already uploaded your identity documents to confirm your right to study (RTS) on SIMS, you'll need to bring a form of acceptable identification with you.

If you've not been able to upload your identity documents to confirm your RTS (passport/birth certificate) you must bring one of them when collecting your student ID card.

Students with EUSS settled/pre-settled status

If you've not been able to upload your identity documents to confirm your RTS on SIMS you'll need to bring your original passport and a share code with you when collecting your student ID card.

If your course starts between 13 January to 27 January 2025:

Once you’ve completed online enrolment, you will receive an email in early January asking you to book an appointment to collect your student ID card. 

Collection times from the Centre for Student Life are:

  • Tuesday 21 January, 09:30 to 16:30
  • Wednesday 22 January, 09:30 to 16:30
  • Thursday 23 January, 09:30 to 14:00

Outside of these dates, student ID cards can be collected Monday to Friday at:

Once you've collected your student ID card you'll need to get it assigned to give you access to buildings on campus.

Get it activated Monday to Friday between 08:00 and 18:00 at:

Cathays campus

Heath Park campus

International students (from outside the EU/EEA)

If you've already uploaded your identity documents to confirm your right to study (RTS) on SIMS, you'll need to bring your original passport with you.

If you've not uploaded your identity documents to confirm your RTS on SIMS you'll need to bring your original passport and visa documents (share code or BRP and where necessary ATAS certificate) with you.

Take a look at our list of acceptable forms of identification needed to obtain your student ID card.

If your course starts between 13 January to 27 January 2025:

Once you’ve completed online enrolment, you will receive an email in early January asking you to book an appointment to collect your student ID card. 

Collection times from the Centre for Student Life are:

  • Tuesday 21 January, 09:30 to 16:30
  • Wednesday 22 January, 09:30 to 16:30
  • Thursday 23 January, 09:30 to 14:00

Outside of these dates, student ID cards can be collected Monday to Friday at:

Once you've collected your student ID card you'll need to get it assigned to give you access to buildings on campus.

Get it activated Monday to Friday between 08:00 and 18:00 at:

Cathays campus

Heath Park campus

International student (from within the EU/EEA)

If you've already uploaded your identity documents to confirm your right to study (RTS) on SIMS, you'll need to bring your original passport with you.

If you've not uploaded your identity documents to confirm your RTS on SIMS you'll need to bring your original passport and a share code with you.

Take a look at our list of acceptable forms of identification needed to obtain your student ID card.

If your course starts between 13 January to 27 January 2025:

Once you’ve completed online enrolment, you will receive an email in early January asking you to book an appointment to collect your student ID card. 

Collection times from the Centre for Student Life are:

  • Tuesday 21 January, 09:30 to 16:30
  • Wednesday 22 January, 09:30 to 16:30
  • Thursday 23 January, 09:30 to 14:00

Outside of these dates, student ID cards can be collected Monday to Friday at:

Once you've collected your student ID card you'll need to get it assigned to give you access to buildings on campus.

Get it activated Monday to Friday between 08:00 and 18:00 at:

Cathays campus

Heath Park campus

If you don't collect your student ID card

Unless you are a designated distance learning student you have not completed the enrolment process until you have collected your student ID card.

Under university regulations, failure to collect your student ID card within four weeks of the start of your course may affect your study and registration at Cardiff University.

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'.

If you change your programme

Changing your programme may have an impact on the duration of your study. If you change your programme, you'll only need to get a new student ID card if the duration of your study increases or if you change academic school, you'll be able to renew this from one of the student ID card collection points.

Applying for a student ID card by post

In some circumstances you can apply for your student ID card to be sent to you by post. Download and complete the student ID card application form and send it to your school office with a passport photograph.

Contact us

For all enquiries regarding student ID cards, contact:

Student Connect