DBS Check
This information is for students who will be joining the University of Nottingham or Lincoln Medical School in September 2025 who will require a DBS check.
DBS clearance
The following teams will contact you with instructions on how to apply for a DBS check. Please add the appropriate email address to your saved senders list:
If you are a current firm offer holder you should expect to hear from them early June 2024
If you are still to accept the offer or will go through clearing you will be contacted soon after accepting the firm offer
Frequently asked questions
Applying for a DBS
How do I apply for a DBS
You will be sent information to apply via Know Your People. Please only use this DBS provider.
What will I need to complete a DBS check
The email you receive from Know Your People will contain all the information you need. If you cannot find the answer you can ask questions via telephone or using their online chat service
What is the deadline for applying for a DBS
We expect that all offer holders must have completed the DBS application including verification of ID documents by the start of the course which is Monday 22 September 2025.
I have an existing DBS. Can I use that?
No. All firm offer holders are asked to obtain a new DBS check with our provider Know Your People. We are unable to accept a previously completed DBS check.
Payment & Renewal
How long does the University of Nottingham DBS last?
School of Medicine: The DBS check will cover you for three years of study.
School of Health Sciences: Your DBS will cover you for the entire course.
Who pays for the DBS check?
School of Medicine - Firm offer holders pay for their own DBS check when visiting the Post Office to have ID verified. School of Medicine students will need a second check later in their course. This will be funded by the school if their initial check is not registered on the Update Service.
School of Health Sciences - Firm offer holders are not charged for the DBS check.
Update Service
What is the update service and do I need to join?
We strongly recommend that you register your new DBS on the DBS Update Service. Within 28 days of your DBS check clearing you have the option to register for the DBS Update Service (£16/year): https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service.
School of Medicine only: If you do, you won’t need another DBS check in 3 years, as this online subscription service will keep your DBS up to date.
If you do not subscribe to the Update Service, then you will require a new DBS check every 3 years.
Overseas/International students
I am an international student, when do I complete the DBS check?
Overseas and EU students are required to undertake an international DBS check. We'll send you details of how to do this via email.
If you're already currently living in the UK but have lived in other countries for more than six months in the past five years, since the age of 18, you'll be required to complete both a UK DBS check now and also international DBS checks for each of the countries you've lived in.
Completed DBS checks/Criminal convictions
Do I need to send my DBS certificate to the university?
No. This is not necessary as we can see the outcome of your check on the Know Your People system.
What do I do if my DBS certificate shows cautions, criminal offences?
We'll need to see your DBS if it contains information on cautions, offences, etc. as the system only shows us if a check is clear or not.
Advice and support
If you have a general question about your course or application, please email our enquiries team. As a student based at the University of Nottingham or the Lincoln Medical School, you'll benefit from a range of advice and support.
If you have any questions about the DBS check, please get in touch.
Please include your full name, course, and student ID on all emails.