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University card for staff

The University card is issued to all members of staff, students and associates, and has many functions including door access on campus, Library access and printing. 

You need to use your University card to navigate the campus day-to-day and should wear your card visibly whenever you're on University premises. Simply tap or swipe your student or staff card at door readers to gain entry to buildings.

As of September 2026, your staff card must contain your photograph. 

The University Card team will be based in Sally Baldwin B from 1 September to 9 October 2026, Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm. Contact them at unicard@york.ac.uk or fill in the staff card request form to request a new University card.

If you're a student and require information about your University cards please see our University Card information for students.
How the card is issued

To request a new or replacement staff ID card please complete the Staff card request form. Cards will not be issued until the form has been completed or the team has received an email from you.

Do I need a photo on my card?  Yes, all staff must provide a photograph for their staff card regardless of the department they work in as part of changes on campus. Staff who have previously held a staff card without the photograph in place are politely asked to submit a photograph and request a new card through the staff card request form.

Staff who are also students

Where a member of staff is also a student, the student card takes precedence and no staff card will be produced. Any functionality you require as a member of staff can be added to your student University card. Email the unicard team on unicard@york.ac.uk with any queries and they will assist.

Using your University card

Door access: 

  • If you are experiencing an issue with door access with your University card, please inform the Campus Reception team
  • If you have KABA door access you will normally have this included on your University Card automatically. 
  • If you have Onity door access and wish to have the access rights on your University Card updated, please contact the above email or visit Campus West Reception. 
  • The use of door access cards is in line with the University access policy.

Library services:

  • For all staff, your University Card automatically gives you University Library membership.
  • The use of the Library is in line with the library policy.

Printing:

  • University printers and copiers are now centralised. These devices require you to present your University Card to release your print job.
Providing a photo for your University card
  • Upload a photo for your card (remember to select the option to allow inclusion of the photo on your University card).
  • If you have already uploaded a photo via this method in the past and you wish to use it for your card, you will need to go back to this website, click ‘Select University card preferences’ and click ‘yes’ to the option to have the photo included on your card.
  • It is important that the photograph you provide for the University card is the right size and quality. It should be recent and representative. As a general rule you should treat getting your photo in the same way you would for your passport photo.
  • Find specific help and guidance on uploading your photo

Please note the email received after your photograph has been accepted does not mean that your card has been printed. As well as submitting a photo, you will also need to fill in the staff card request form.

Changes to your card

Amending the rights and functions to your University card:

  • If your circumstances change you may need to amend the functions on your University card.
    • Change the door access rights on my card: ask your line manager or departmental administrator to request that the change be made by the Campus Reception team. This can be done by emailing reception-access-requests@york.ac.uk
    • Change my University card to include my photographupload a photo (remember to click the option to allow inclusion of the photo on your University card).

Lost or stolen University cards:

  • It is important that if your University card is lost or stolen, you report it to Campus Safety immediately so that access rights can be cancelled as soon as possible. Please contact Campus Safety on extension 4444 in the first instance.
  • They will disable any access control functions on the lost card and if necessary, arrange issue of a short-term ‘transition’ card which will give you access control rights until you are able to obtain a new University Card.
  • To have your University card re-issued you can request a replacement by completing our online request form.
  • This is in line with the University Access policy.

Returning your University card:

  • If you're retiring or leaving the University please return your University Card for safe disposal. Your line manager or supervisor should request this as part of the leaving process. This will be done in line with the University access /HR policy.
Terms and conditions for your University card

University Staff/Associate Card Terms and Conditions

Definitions

  • Card
    The University Card, is issued by the University of York.
  • We/Us
    The University of York, Heslington, York.
  • You
    The person to whom a card is issued and the only one authorised to use it under these terms and conditions.

These terms and conditions explain our obligations to you and your obligations to us.

  1. You must take all reasonable care of your card to prevent damage to it.  It must not be tampered with, defaced, damaged, passed on or loaned to others, misused in any University system or in any other way.
  2. You must take all reasonable precautions to prevent the loss, theft or misuse of your card.
  3. If your card is lost, stolen or otherwise liable to be misused, you must inform us by contacting the University Information Centre or Security Centre at the earliest opportunity.
  4. We will replace cards free of charge which are damaged by legitimate use in University equipment or which prove to have been faulty in themselves (as opposed to those damaged by user misuse).
  5. If you have a problem with using your card, you should bring your card to the University Information Centre.
  6. Where we consider there are justifiable grounds for doing so, we reserve the right to require you to return your card to us at any time immediately upon notice to you, and we may suspend or withdraw the use of your card or some of the functions on it at any time at our discretion.
  7. The card may only be used by current University members: 
    • As proof of identity on University premises.
    • As a form of identity if required when visiting external establishments.
    • For access to associated systems and physical access through doors or barriers; the use of these services is governed by separate regulations.
  8. On leaving University employment, the card must be surrendered to your line manager before you leave.
  9. Your University Card remains the property of the University Of York and must be returned on request.