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Collect your student ID card

Last updated: 04/06/2026 17:53

Find out when, where, and how to collect your student ID card, and what documents you’ll need.

Collecting your student ID card is a mandatory step in the enrolment process. You'll need to collect it in person within 3 weeks of your course start date.

If you're studying on a distance learning course, you don’t need to collect a student ID card.

Before we can issue your card, you must have completed online enrolment.

What the card gives you access to

Your student ID card gives you access to a wide range of university services and facilities. It allows you to:

  • prove your identity while on campus
  • register your attendance at lectures
  • borrow from the library, including using self-service machines
  • print, photocopy, and scan
  • access Sports Centre facilities (with a valid membership)
  • enter 24-hour computer rooms and libraries outside of core hours

You can also access a digital version of your student ID card via the Student App. This is for identification purposes only and does not provide 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 an acceptable form of identification with you when collecting your student ID card.

If you haven’t uploaded your identity documents (e.g. passport or birth certificate), you must bring one of them with you when collecting your student ID card.

Students with EUSS settled/pre-settled status

If you haven’t uploaded your identity documents to SIMS, you’ll need to bring your original passport and a share code when collecting your student ID card.

You can collect your student ID card, Monday to Friday from:

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 and evidence of your entry date to the UK.

If you haven’t uploaded your identity documents to confirm your RTS on SIMS, you’ll need to bring the following original documents with you:

  • your passport
  • your visa documents (including your share code)
  • evidence of your entry date to the UK
  • ATAS certificate (if applicable)

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

You can collect your student ID card, Monday to Friday from:

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 and evidence of your entry date to the UK.

If you haven’t uploaded your identity documents to confirm your RTS on SIMS, you’ll need to bring your original passport, share code, and evidence of your entry date to the UK.

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

Once you’ve completed online enrolment, you’ll receive an email early January inviting you to book an appointment to collect your student ID card from the Centre for Student Life. Appointments will be available for most students between 20-22  January.

After these dates you can collect your student ID card, Monday to Friday from:

Failure to collect your student ID card

Collecting your student card is a mandatory step of the enrolment process.

Unless you are enrolled on a designated distance learning course, you have not completed enrolment until you have collected your student ID card.

Under University regulations, failure to collect your student ID card within 3 weeks of your course start date 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 UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to report you as ‘Not in attendance’ if you do not collect your card.

If you change your programme

Changing your programme may affect the duration of your study.
You’ll need a new student ID card if:

  • the duration of your study increases, or
  • you change academic school

You can renew your card at one of the student ID card collection points.

Applying for a student ID card by post

In some circumstances, you can apply to have your student ID card sent to you by post. To do this:

  1. Download and complete the student ID card application form.
  2. Send it to your school office along with a passport photograph.

Contact us

For all enquiries regarding student ID cards, contact:

Student Connect