Photo ID Requirements

Before you register online, it is important that you select an appropriate photograph for your student ID card. This photograph will also be entered onto your student record and may be used to confirm your identity when using the services provided by the University (Library, Halls of Residence etc.).

Digital photo requirements

Photo quality

Your digital photo must:

  • Be clear and in focus.
  • Be in colour (not black and white).
  • Be approximately 300 pixels wide x 400 pixels high, (equivalent to 4cm x 5cm at 200 ppi).
  • Be less than 4MB in file size.
  • Be saved in JPEG (.jpg) format only.

Photo content

Your photo must:

  • Show only your head and shoulders.
  • Contain no other people or objects.
  • Be taken against a plain, light-coloured background.
  • Show a clear contrast between you and the background.
  • Not have any red-eye effect.

Appearance and position

Your photo must:

  • Be a recent photograph of you.
  • Show you facing forward and looking directly at the camera (portrait orientation).
  • Show a neutral expression with your mouth closed.
  • Show your eyes open and clearly visible.
  • Have no hair covering your eyes.
  • Have no shadows on your face or in the background.
  • Not include a head covering, unless worn for religious or medical reasons.
  • Not have anything obscuring your face.

Glasses

Do not wear glasses unless they are essential. If you must wear glasses:

  • They must not be sunglasses or tinted lenses.
  • Your eyes must not be obscured by the frames.
  • There must be no glare, reflection, or shadow covering your eyes.
Three images of a student - the first is correct with a plain pale background, the second has a stripe wallpaper background, the third has a plant in the background.
Background: Must be plain. Do not have a coloured or patterned background. Do not have items such as plants in the background.
Three images of a student ID photo - the first is correct with pale background and fully-visible face. The second shows a shadow on the left half of the face, making it hard to see. The third has a shadow behind on the wall to the right and left of the head.
Shadows: Face must be visible without shadows on the face from side-lighting or behind the head on the wall.
Three images of a student ID photo. The first shows an example of acceptable religious headcovering. The second and third images show a student with a colourful bow in her hair and a male student wearing a beanie hat, both of which should not be visible.
Headwear: Unless for religious or medical reasons, no headcovering should be visible. This means no fashion-related headwear (bows or headbands) or hats.
Three images of a student ID photo. The first shows the eyes correctly (plain background, no shadows) as the student's long hair is out of their face. The second image shows glare on the glasses, which prevents the eyes from being seen. The third image shows how long hair can cover an eye, preventing it from being visible.
Eyes: Eyes should be visible. Glasses may be worn, but not if glare on the lenses prevents the eyes from being visible. Similarly, hair should not cover the eyes.

If you do not upload a photo, you can still progress through the remaining pages of online registration. However, online registration will not be complete, and we will not be able to produce your ID card until you have successfully uploaded a photo.

If you need to upload your photo at a later point, you cannot use the same . Please re-enter registration using the and login using your IT credentials.