Skip to main content
Firm and Insurance Offer Holders

Checklist for New Students

Young students work in a row at laptops

Purple Line Separator

Registration process

There are three stages to the Durham University registration process: 

Enrolment: Update or confirm your personal information and accept the University's regulations. All students must complete enrolment each year. 

Module Registration: Sign-up for the programme and modules you are studying. 

Identity Verification: If you are starting a new course, you need to provide evidence of your identity. Find out about verifying your identity on the Guidance for New Students section.

International students may need their visa and passports checked by the University Immigration Service. 

If you do not complete registration, there may be an impact on the following: 

  • Accessing your University email, exam information and results 
  • Getting a campus card 
  • Using the online document shop 
  • Student loan eligibility 
  • Eligibility for council tax exemption 
  • Ability to produce letters through Banner Self Service. 

We keep accurate information on students and their programme of study for several reasons, including: 

  • To provide computer accounts with IT Service and Library access 
  • To produce accurate examination timetables, incorrect module data can result in timetable clashes 
  • So you or someone you know can be contacted in an emergency 
  • So the University can provide compulsory statistical returns to Government Agencies.

Purple Line Separator

New student enrolment checklist

The information below will help you prepare for your arrival in Durham. A list of useful links is also available at the bottom of the page. 

Before you arrive in Durham 

  • Have you applied for University accommodation or found private accommodation?
  • Have you applied for a visa? (if applicable)
  • Have you contacted Disability Support to discuss your requirements? (if applicable)
  • Does the University have your correct contact email and address details?
  • Do you have your Computing and Information Services (CIS) username and password? (You will receive these by email before your start date)

Have you logged in to Banner Self Service to:

  • Enrol with the University
  • Upload a photograph for your campus card
  • Select your optional modules

  • Have you read the Welcome and Orientation Week on our website?

When you arrive in Durham 

  • Have you had your identity verified at your college?
    You will need to show your Passport, UK Driving Licence or Biometric Residence Permit.
  • Have you collected your campus card?

Helpful links 

Purple Line Separator

Guidance for new students

When you accept a place at Durham University, you will be invited to complete enrolment and registration, up to 56 days before your programme begins. During busy periods, it may take a couple of weeks for the Admissions Team to process your acceptance. 

Once your acceptance is processed, two emails are sent to the personal email address you provided on your application. 

  • One email contains your Computing and Information Services (CIS) username 
  • The other shows you how to derive your password 
  • The emails will be sent 24 hours apart, from no.reply@durham.ac.uk. 

If you do not receive an email, please check your spam folder, and if definitely not received please contact the IT Service desk.

 

Once you receive both emails: 

Your department will send information about registering for your programme and modules and give you advice on when to complete this registration process. If you have questions about programme or module registration, please contact your department. 

Verification of identity 

Before you can collect your campus card, you need to prove your identity by providing one of the following: 

  • Current Passport 
  • Current UK Driving Licence 
  • Current Biometric Residence Permit. 

If you are a UK student and you do not have either of these forms of identification, we will accept an original Birth Certificate. 

For more information: 

Purple Line Separator

Upload your photograph by 14 September

If you are a new student, you will need to upload a photograph of yourself during enrolment. The photograph will be used on your campus card, which can be collected from your college when you arrive in Durham, provided you have uploaded the photograph by 14 September.

When you receive your username and password by email, upload your photograph: 

  • Log in to Banner Self Service 
  • Choose the Registration and Enrolment option 
  • Select Enrolment. 

Your photograph needs to be in the following format: 

  1. 198 wide x 239 high (pixels) 
  2. File Type JPEG (.jpg file extension) 
  3. The picture should be clear and in focus 
  4. Head and shoulders passport style picture on a plain white background 
  5. A picture of you looking straight at the camera (eyes open, no sunglasses or tinted lenses) 
  6. Your face should not be obstructed by a hat or other items of clothing 
  7. You should not wear clothing of similar colour to the background 

If you are unable to upload your photo by 14 September, you can do so after, but this will slow the process of getting your campus card. Find out more about campus cards on our Computing and Information Services (CIS) webpages.

Purple Line Separator

Verification of Identity

If you are starting a new course, you must verify your identity at your college before you can collect your campus card.

We accept the following photographic identification as proof of identity: 

  • Current Passport 
  • Current UK Driving Licence 
  • Current Biometric Residence Permit. 

If you are a UK student and you do not have any of these forms of identification, you may supply your original Birth Certificate.