For all students starting a new course, we ask that you submit a passport style photo for your Student ID Card so we can prepare your card for you. You should submit a photo for your Student ID Card as soon as possible and by any deadlines stated below.
Students starting in September 2026
The deadline to submit a photo to guarantee that your card is ready for the first week of term was 3 September 2026 and this has now passed.
If you have missed this deadline, please do not worry. You should still upload your photo as soon as possible. We will email you when your card is ready to collect.
Before uploading your photo, please read the guidance below to make sure it meets our technical and appearance requirements.
Your Student ID Card is an important part of student life at Royal Holloway. You will need it to:
- Access campus buildings and events
- Use Library facilities
- Identify yourself on campus
See full details of what you can use your Student ID Card for.
Requirements for your photo
It's important that you submit a suitable image for your Student ID Card. Before submitting your photo, please check our Photo Selection Guide below for full details and examples and to ensure your photo meets the technical and appearance requirements. Your photo will need to meet the requirements in our Photo Selection Guide to be accepted.
It is your responsibility to provide an acceptable photograph. Approval of the photo you submit is at the discretion of the Student Services Centre. If you do not provide a suitable photo it may result in a delay in issuing your Student ID Card to you.
How to upload a photo
If you’re a new student and you’ve been asked to upload a photo for your Student ID Card as part of joining the University, please ensure you follow these step-by-step instructions:
- Open a web browser in private browsing mode and go to Campus Connect. Please note this process cannot be done on a mobile phone and must be completed on a computer or laptop.
- Log in with your Royal Holloway Microsoft 365 ID which is your username (e.g. abcd123) with '@live.rhul.ac.uk' added at the end and your University password.
- From the 'Home' screen, scroll down and find the 'Photo Upload' card (or search for the 'Photo Upload' card).
- Follow the instructions on screen to upload your photo. Make sure you've read any guidance information.
- Ensure that you select a passport style photograph that meets the technical and appearance requirements outlined in our Photo Selection Guide below.
- Once you submit your photo, our team will review your image and you will receive an email in your Royal Holloway mailbox confirming whether your photo has been accepted or rejected (please also check your junk and spam folders for this email). You will receive the email a few days after submitting your photo so please keep an eye on your inbox.
If you're unable to upload a photo
If you’re unable to submit your photo via Photo Upload on Campus Connect, please contact the Student Services Centre from your University email account or your registered personal email account for further advice.
Technical and Apperance Requirements:
- The photo must be in colour and in portrait orientation.
- The photo must be clear, sharp and in focus.
- The photo height should be between 400 and 1280 pixels.
- The photo width should be between 300 and 960 pixels.
- The photo must in .jpg file format.
- The photo file size has to be less than 2MB.
Appearance Requirements
- A recent passport style photo of your head and shoulders which represents a true likeness of you.
- There should be no coverings obscuring your face, unless worn for religious beliefs or medical reasons. Glasses are permitted.
- The photo should be taken against a plain white or light-coloured background.
- Please ensure that your photo is not too light or dark, your face must be fully visible and there should be no glare or shadows in your photo.
Bad photo examples
Common reasons for photos being rejected
- The photo submitted has a pet, object or other people present.
- The photo submitted is a full body photo.
- The photo submitted has filters applied.
- The photo submitted is blurry or unclear.
- The photo submitted is too light or dark.
Good photo examples
Receiving your Student ID Card
We will email you when your card is ready for collection and we'll let you know where to collect it from. Please wait for your collection email before visiting the collection point.
You'll need to bring some form of photo ID with you when you come to collect it.
If you are based at our Central London campus, you’ll be contacted by the London Campus Administration team to confirm your collection details.
Previously studied at Royal Holloway?
If you've previously studied at Royal Holloway or changed your start date, you’ll still need to submit a new passport style photo for your new Student ID Card. We are unable to use your photograph from previous study. Please note, failure to submit a photo will result in a delay in you receiving your new Student ID Card.
Additional information
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If you are studying either Advanced Practice Social Work, Behavioural Couples Therapy, or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (IAPT), your enrolment email will detail how to submit a photo and how you will receive your Student ID Card.
Please note, if you are now studying your main Royal Holloway course after completing your Study Group course, then you will be required to submit a new photo for your Student ID Card. Details will be provided in your enrolment email about how you can do this.
Support with submitting your photo
If you have any questions relating to submitting your photo you can find helpful information on Ask Royal Holloway.
If you can’t find what you’re looking for, you can contact us using the ‘Ask a Question’ button at the bottom of our help pages and your question will be directed to the right team.
Watch our video about using your Student ID Card