UK Student ID Card Photo- What To Use to Get the Perfect One

University ID Cards in the UK

The majority of UK universities require uploading a picture once you are enrolled, to be used as the student’s ID card photo. The student ID card can be used for different important purposes related to university life, such as: 

• a means of personal identification
• used as a pass to access university gyms or sport facilities 
• confirms your status when asking for a student discount
• serves as a means to check on your attendance to lectures 
• grants access to university’s campus buildings
• can be used as a transportation card
• can be used as a prepaid card to pay for services or goods while on campus
• serves as proof of status when using the university's medical services
• allows you to park your car on campus

There are numerous benefits that come with using a student ID. Read on to understand what information is included on your student ID card and find out how to take a professional picture to successfully apply for your student ID.

What information is included in a student ID?

You will find the following personal information on a UK student ID card: 

• your name
• your student ID
• information about your university and major
• a photo
• additional personal details such as your birth date, address etc.

Ways to get a UK university ID card

In order to receive a student ID card in the UK, you need to provide a picture fulfilling the university's requirements and upload it to the designated platform. Depending on the university, some will ask for your photo to be sent via traditional post or email. In some cases, there are photo booths on campus for students to use, but with every freshman needing one, you can only imagine the waiting lines. If you care about getting your student ID card without delays, try preparing a high quality student ID card digital photo with PhotoAiD. 

The AI based algorithm of PhotoAiD enables it to recognize your face, edit, crop and fix the angles and background of your photo. You can choose between using our service on the website or downloading our user-friendly mobile apps for both Android and iOS phones.

General photo requirements for a UK university ID card

There might be minor discrepancies in the guidelines depending on what university you apply to, but the basic conditions to get your student ID card photo accepted are listed below:

• you need to use a recent photo, taken no earlier than 6 months ago
• the photo has to be in colour, unaltered using filters, clear and well-focused, with no “red eye” effect
• the background of the photo should be plain (no patterns) and in a light colour
• there should be a colour contrast between your outfit and the background (try choosing darker colours) 
• there can be no other people or objects in the photo
• you should face the camera and look straight into the lens
• your face has to be evenly lightened on both sides
• make sure your whole face, including the forehead and eyebrows is clearly visible
• keep your eyes open and your mouth shut (do not smile or frown)
• unless you wear it for religious or medical purposes, take off any head covering such as hats, caps etc.
• you should not wear sunglasses or tinted glasses (prescription glasses are fine, just make sure there's no reflection of the camera's flash in them).

UK university ID card photo- digital form

Save precious time- while others wait in a line to a photographers studio or photobooth to get your student ID card photo taken, you can now shoot it yourself and get it edited in just a few seconds! Using PhotoAiD upload your photo and browse in your camera's photo roll for one that seems good, even a selfie! Once you have decided on the picture, we will need 3 seconds to edit it and… that's it! You are now free to download your professional student ID card photo.

Last update: 04/06/2023