How to Get a Student ID Card in the UK? Follow 5 Simple Steps

Have you ever wondered how UK university students manage to get exciting discounts? The secret to getting these discounts is having a student ID card. It’s not just important for proving your student status, but also for accessing campus benefits and taking advantage of a wide range of student discounts. From travel to tech and food, this card can help you save money while studying.

The question is, how to get a student ID card in the UK? However, the application process is simple. You must enrol in the educational institution and provide all the required valid documents, and then you will receive the student ID. In this blog, we’ll guide you through each step of obtaining a student ID card in the UK and explore the numerous benefits it offers. 

What is a Student ID Card?

A student ID card is an identification card that includes information such as name, date of birth, photo, card validity date, and the name of the academic institution you study. After collecting your student ID card, it will serve as proof of your student status.

Students from schools, colleges, and universities are eligible for different types of ID cards, depending on their country of residence, the type of academic institution they attend, and their age.

Typically, a full-time student of a school, college, or university, aged 12 or above, can apply for a student card. The most common type of student ID card is the physical plastic one, but with the advancement of technology, digital types are also gaining popularity these days.

Why Do You Need a Student ID Card?

You would need a student ID card for the following purposes:

• To prove your student status
• To have access to your college/university facilities
• To confirm your identity during exams
• To borrow books from the library
• To avail student discounts from shops, transport, tickets, etc.

How Do I Get a New ID Card?

You can opt for a student ID card after enrolling at your institution. Most institutions have their ID cards. You can apply for your card online through your institution’s website. To obtain a student ID card in the UK, you will need either a passport or a birth certificate, proof of your admission, and a passport-size photo to print or upload. Within a few days, you will receive your student ID card.

How to Get a University Student ID Card in the UK?

As a university student in the UK, you will receive a free student ID card issued by the university authority. To get the card, you have to follow some simple steps as mentioned below:

1. Get Enroled Online

You need to get your new university email and password before applying for a Student ID card in the UK. If you have already opened your student account, you can apply for the student ID card.

2. Confirm Your Term-Time Address

You should verify your Term-time UK address; and yes, it needs to be in the UK. This address confirms where the student ID card should be mailed.

3. Have a Passport-style Photo

You would need a passport-style photo to upload for the ID card. Make sure to take a suitable photo. Learn how to take a good photo for a student ID with our blog in minutes!

4. Keep Your Photo Identification Document Ready

Your passport or driver’s license would work as your photo identification document. Keep any of these with you to upload a good-quality copy using your phone camera.

5. Start Your Student ID Card Application

You can now start the student ID card application by logging in with your university email and password. If applicable, book an appointment to receive your student ID.

Can Student ID Cards in the UK be used as ID?

With your student ID card in the UK, you can gain access to your college or university resources and campus purchases, gain attendance information, and serve other functions. You can also use your ID off-campus for discounts at restaurants, local retail stores, movie theatres, and public transit locations.

Since most student ID cards in the UK include the student’s name, photo, and school logo and are issued by educational institutions, they can serve as proof of identity in some cases. The acceptance of the ID depends on the issuing body and the purpose of use. Moreover, a student ID must be issued by an accredited school to be considered valid.

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How to Replace a Lost or Stolen Student Identification Card?

The replacement procedure for lost/stolen ID cards might vary depending on the institution you are studying at. Usually, you need to fill up the replacement form and submit it to the concerned authority for the replacement. Although their student ID is free, you will need to pay for a replacement one. If your card gets stolen, you need to report this to the Police Assistance Line.

Some Student Discount ID Cards of the United Kingdom

As a student, you might worry about every penny you spend on your purchases. Whether or not you wait for the discount offers from your favourite stores. If you have a student discount card, you won’t need to wait for the offers anymore. You can easily avail of discounts by showing your discount ID cards.

The student discount cards work in a range of sectors, including high street stores, restaurants, travel, and more. The amount of discount usually depends on the card you show at the point of purchase. Typically, students with an ID card are offered a discount of around 10% to 20% off the price. Some of the notable student discount cards in the UK are:

International Student Identity Card (ISIC)

The ISIC is an internationally recognised ID card that can prove your student status. It is recognised in 130 countries around the world. The card can be used by overseas students when applying for a driving license or when they prefer not to carry their passports around.

If you’re a full-time student aged 12 or over, you can apply for a student card with ISIC. ISIC offers both virtual and plastic cards, allowing students access to over 150,000 student discounts and offers worldwide.

The cost of the card depends on the country you are in, ranging from $4 to $ 25. If you reside in the UK, the card would cost £12 for a virtual copy and £15 for the plastic one.

NUS Card

The NUS Card is a student identification card that provides access to discounts on travel, food, entertainment, and many other services.

With your NUS student card, you can apply for a student TV License or even tax exemption. The process for getting the NUS discount card is relatively hassle-free. You can apply for the NUS card through the NUS website and find out the latest offers and deals in detail.

If you are a student living in the UK, the NUS card costs £13 for one year, £22 for two years, and £32 for three years. You can check the TOTUM Card website, powered by the NUS, to find out all the NUS card discount offers.

UNiDAYS

UNiDAYS card is another popular student discount card that offers discounts online and in-store. It uses an app in place of the physical plastic cards. To avail of the discounts, you need to show your profile on the app.

Any university or college student in the UK aged 16 or above can join UNiDAYS. To get started, create an account in UNiDAYS using your academic email address. Then, apply the various discount codes to websites at checkout. UNiDAYS offers student discounts with brands such as Apple, ASOS, Benefit, Urban Outfitters, and many more.

Student Beans

Similar to that of UniDAYS, you don’t need to pay for the discount card. You can easily sign up to the Student Beans website for free to gain access to a wide range of discounts.

Student Beans partnered with 500 brands, and its software can verify 163 million students in 52 different countries. The Student Beans card offers discounts at over 10,000 stores, both online and in high-street locations.

With the discount cards, you can avail:

• Travel
• Driving Lessons
• Student Accommodation
• Fitness & Leisure Clubs
• Dine-ins and Takeaways
• Educational Resources
• Technology & Gadgets
• Health & Beauty

Benefits of Having Student Discount Cards

In general, some of the benefits of student discount cards are:

• You can often use the cards as ID to prove your identity, especially as a student.
• You can use these globally accepted cards anywhere around the world.
• You can also use your student ID card for dining out and purchasing educational resources, such as books and stationery.
• Furthermore, you can use them for online shopping.

How to be Eligible for a Student Discount Card in London?

You can be eligible for a student discount card if you are above 16 and are a part-time or full-time student. The process of obtaining a card is usually straightforward, although the method may vary for each card.

Some cards allow users under 16. The ISIC card, for instance, allows its users to apply for their UK discount card at the age of 12. You can use the card as long as you’re studying for a minimum of 15 hours a week and have been doing so for at least 3 consecutive months.

Get Your Student ID Card from Lead Academy!

Do you know you can easily get your Student ID Card from Lead Academy and enjoy some lucrative discount offers from several brands? The Lead Academy student ID card offers one-year validity, proof of student status, and opportunities to avail discounts. With a minimal fee and your preferred payment method, you can obtain your ID card from the Lead Academy website.

How Much Does a Student Discount Card Cost?

The cost of a student card would depend on the card you choose. The cards can cost roughly £10-30. The validity of a card is approximately a year.

Some student discount cards are also available for free in the UK. For example, a UNiDAYS card requires a profile in the app instead of buying through payment. The card, just like other cards, offers discounts on food, clothing, and tech.

However, it may be possible to obtain other student cards without incurring any costs. Some banks often offer these cards free of cost if you sign up for an undergraduate account.

Conclusion

Whether you are a local or an international student studying in the UK, you need to know how to get a student ID card in the UK. As the blog narrates every detail of obtaining a student card along with the discount cards and their benefits, getting an ID for yourself shouldn’t be troublesome.

FAQs

How much is a student card UK?

Usually, if you’re in a university or any such educational institution, they’ll give you the ID card for free. However, custom cards like UniDays or NUS will cost you between £5 and £25, depending on the benefits they provide.

How long does a student card work as a student ID card?

Usually, a card will last the total time of your degree. Custom cards, however, typically range from 1 to 3 years in duration.

Is the student ID and the student number the same?

When you enrol, you will receive a Student ID number. Your ID card also includes your Student ID number.

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