All you need to know about your university student card

What is a University Card?

A University Card is a multi-function card issued to students, staff and associates. The card is specific to the University of Nottingham and contains a combination of Mifare proximity chip, magstripe and barcode technologies – super smart.

Your University Card is essential for: 

• a means of identification 

• library card 

• building access card 

• SU card & student discounts 

• Campus sports centres 

• bus card (Nottingham City Transport) 

• daily bites 

You should carry your university card with you while you’re on campus to ensure you have access to all the above.

How do I apply for a university card? 

We will send an email to your personal email address approximately three weeks before your official course start date explaining how to apply for your University Card.  Once the email arrives, follow the following steps:

1. Apply and upload your photo

Say cheese! It’s photo time. 

To apply for your university card, you’ll need a recent passport-style photograph of yourself. The photo needs to be: 

• a close-up of full head and upper shoulders 

• facing forward looking straight at the camera 

• no hats or sunglasses 

• contain no other objects or people 

• unaltered by filters 

• 420x420 pixels 

• in .jpg format 

You’ll also need the username and password provided to you via email. Log in to the portal using these details, upload your photo and await further instructions. 

2. Collect your card

It takes 8-10 days to produce your card. It will be available for collection from a Student Service Centre on campus. We’ll email you when your card is ready to collect, so keep checking your inbox for updates. 

How do I use my card? 

There are a variety of uses for your University Card, the most common being building access. To use your card for building access hold the card 3-5 cm away from the middle of the reader. If the door is locked, then the LED status will be a constant red. 

If you present a University Card with valid access, the LED on the reader will flash green for a short time and the lock on the door will be released. If the LED on the reader flashes red, then you’re unauthorised for that particular building. Most external academic doors will be set to automatically unlock within working hours for your convenience.  

To use your University Card as a bus card, purchase bus travel from NCT’s Travel Centre or the Students’ Union Reception in the Portland Building. The travel allowance will then be loaded onto your University Card.