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name on student id card

my preferred name is different to my legal name.

when i submitted the photo for my student id, it showed a preview that had my preferred name on it. but when i picked it up today, it had my legal name printed.

in all my classes, i am registered using my preferred name. it doesn't bother me too much, because im not going to have to show anyone my student id unless they're staff i suppose. but i just wondered, am i allowed to have my preferred name on my student id?

im at aru chelmsford, and i know other unis let you have your preferred name on there. as i said, i dont really care that much (i would be hiding it from sight anyways because of the AWFUL picture i submitted lmao), but now im curious.

(edited 6 months ago)

Reply 1

University of Salford Student Rep

Official Rep

Original post by arachred

my preferred name is different to my legal name.
when i submitted the photo for my student id, it showed a preview that had my preferred name on it. but when i picked it up today, it had my legal name printed.
in all my classes, i am registered using my preferred name. it doesn't bother me too much, because im not going to have to show anyone my student id unless they're staff i suppose. but i just wondered, am i allowed to have my preferred name on my student id?
im at aru chelmsford, and i know other unis let you have your preferred name on there. as i said, i dont really care that much (i would be hiding it from sight anyways because of the AWFUL picture i submitted lmao), but now im curious.

Hey, It’s understandable that you'd want your preferred name on your student ID, especially since it sounds like your preferred name is already used in your classes. Even though you're not too bothered by it, it’s totally fair to be curious about whether it's possible to have your preferred name on there, especially if other unis allow it.

At ARU, it might be worth checking with the student services or the ID card office to see if there’s an option to have your preferred name printed instead of your legal name. Sometimes, unis have systems in place that allow for this, but it’s not always made super clear upfront. Even if it’s not a big deal to you day-to-day, it could be nice to have your preferred name on your ID if it's possible.

And hey, the photo situation is so relatable—there’s always something about student ID photos that just doesn’t quite work out! If you ever feel like this is something you'd like to change down the line, it’s good to know what your options are. Either way, your ID is just one tiny part of your Uni experience, and it sounds like you're already settling in well with your classes and everything!

Arslan – University of Salford Student Representative

Reply 2

YSJstudents

Official Rep

Original post by arachred

my preferred name is different to my legal name.
when i submitted the photo for my student id, it showed a preview that had my preferred name on it. but when i picked it up today, it had my legal name printed.
in all my classes, i am registered using my preferred name. it doesn't bother me too much, because im not going to have to show anyone my student id unless they're staff i suppose. but i just wondered, am i allowed to have my preferred name on my student id?
im at aru chelmsford, and i know other unis let you have your preferred name on there. as i said, i dont really care that much (i would be hiding it from sight anyways because of the AWFUL picture i submitted lmao), but now im curious.

Hi!
As you have said, many universities will allow you to have your preferred name on your ID card. I would recommend contacting your university's admin office as I believe they will deal with this kind of issue, if not, they will know where to direct you. I understand not being too bothered about it, but it might be nice to see your preferred name on the ID, especially when you've worked hard to get into university.

Hope this helps! Faye 🙂
(Everyone's ID photo is bad, I think it's a rite of passage).