Applying for a card

The application process differs dependent on whether you are staff or a student and your eligibility level will determine if you get a personal card or a temporary or access card.

Student application

If you are a new student, either under or post graduate, your application to study at University of Cambridge includes the collection of information to produce your University Card and you don't need to do anything, your College will issue you with your card when you arrive.

If there isn't a card waiting for you then check with the Card Representative in the College who will be able to tell you what the problem is. The most common causes of failure to receive a card are:

• Inappropriate photo – your photo should be a passport style photo. It should only include you – no hats, scarves, eyewear or pets please. It should be a good quality photo uploaded electronically.

• Failure to meet your conditions – unless you have met all your conditions we are not certain you are coming and therefore we do not produce a card for you. Please note there is a slight time delay between meeting your conditions and the card being produced.

Staff application

New staff will be guided through the process of applying for a University Card by their local Card Representative or by a department administrator.

Not all staff are eligible for a personal card, you must meet the following criteria to be eligible.

• You must have a contract that is over 1 month long (particularly pertinent to visiting academics)

• You must not be employed via the Temporary Employment Service. TES staff are not eligible for a personal University Card but will be issued with a temporary access card for each assignment.