Apply for your University student card

Apply for your student card in advance to ensure it is ready for you when you start.

What you need to do

Your student card requires your name and photo and will prove your status as a student. You need to upload your photo and add this to your student record before you start.   

Why you need to do it

Your university student card allows you to:

  • identify yourself as a student
  • access resources online
  • may give you access student discounts on products and services
  • borrow books at the Library if you visit Edinburgh in person (but this is not essential as all library resources for your degree will be available online)

If you visit the University in person, your student card will give you access to some buildings. You must have an up-to-date University student card on you at all times when visiting the campus.

University card functions (Information Services website)

When you do it

You can upload your photo to your student record once your unconditional offer has been confirmed. For most students this will be approximately four weeks prior to your programme start date, though in a small number of cases e.g. if you have deferred your entry, it may be earlier.  You should complete your Annual Registration first. 

Task - Register as an online student

How you do it 

Create and submit a photo to apply for your University card 

You will receive an email to your personal email address (the one you used to apply with) with details on how to complete this step. 

Please use a web browser on a PC or Mac. The upload channel is not supported on mobile devices. 

Full step by step guide on how to submit your photo 

You will receive multiple reminder emails if you have not completed this task by the time that you are due to start.   

Next steps

If you are an online learner starting in September 2025, your card will be posted by the end of September to the address on your Student Record (information you provided on your Annual Registration).  

Please note that card delivery may not always be possible, as Royal International Main is used and relies on your country’s postal service. We do not offer tracking or courier for card delivery.  

 

This video explains how to apply for your University of Edinburgh student card and how to receive your student card.

In this 'how-to' video, we will be guiding you on how to apply for and receive your University of Edinburgh student card. 

This card serves as your official student ID. Your University card provides identification, library membership, building access, authentication to use printers, and cashless payment for catering, as well as providing identification for student discounts. 

Before you arrive on campus, you will need to submit a photo to MyEd. This photo should be a passport style photo for your student card. The photo needs to be a portrait photo of your head and shoulders facing forwards, in good lighting, against a plain background. No holiday photos, sunglasses, or hats are allowed and will be rejected. The filetype should be saved as a JPEG file and less than 500 kilobytes in size, and the dimension should be standard UK passport size. These details are described on our 'Getting your first card' webpages. 

Once you have created your photo, you will need to login to your MyEd account. Then click on the 'Accounts' tab and select the 'Card Photo Submission' channel to upload your photo. We ask that you use a web browser on a PC or Mac, as the upload channel is not supported on mobile devices. Follow the instructions on the website and upload your photograph. Tick the confirmation box and then press 'Submit photograph'. The card photo submission area will now display what you have uploaded. You can then choose either 'Accept' to send your photo, or 'Reject' to upload another photo. Once your photograph has been accepted it cannot be edited, so please make sure you're happy with it before you upload it. 

After submitting your photo you will receive a confirmation email to the email address you used to apply to the University. You will then receive an approval or a rejection email of your submitted photograph. You will receive an email if your photograph is rejected, informing you that you should upload a replacement one. 

If you prefer not to upload a photo online or are having difficulty doing so, please check our card help pages or go to the EdHelp website. 

For further guidance and information about the deadline for card photo submissions before you start, please check this website. 

We advise you to submit as early as possible to ensure that your student card is ready for your arrival. If you do not upload a photo before arrival, there may be a delay in producing your card. Even if you have missed the cut-off date, we encourage you to submit your photo as soon as you can. 

If you are staying in University Halls of Residence, you should receive your card when you collect your keys, provided you have submitted your photo by the deadline. If you are in private accommodation, you can collect your card from the Main Library in George Square, at the card collection event from the start of Welcome Week. 

If you are unable to attend on-campus to collect your card, just let the EdHelp team know near to the start of term and they will mail your card to your term-time address. Cards for online learning students will be sent to your home address. Thank you for watching this 'how-to' video. If you are still experiencing any difficulties, make sure to visit the EdHelp website to find further information on how to get support.

 

Do you need help? 

Contact EdHelp  

 

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