Transport for London 18+ student Oyster photocard scheme 2009-10

Apply online for your Transport for London (TfL) Oyster photocard

City University London participates in Transport for London’s (TfL) online application scheme for student Oyster photocards, which entitle cardholders to a 30% discount on TfL’s season tickets.


Who is eligible?
  • all full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students
  • part-time undergraduate students who are in receipt of means tested financial support, such as a fee grant
  • Students’ Union Sabbatical Officers.

Part-time postgraduate students are not eligible for the scheme.

What does it cost?

When you apply online for your student Oyster photocard you will be required to a pay a one-off registration charge of £5 for the 2009-10 academic year.  Applications in future years will be subject to further registration charges.

What can I use it for?

Your student Oyster photocard entitles you to a 30% discount on all TfL’s season tickets of seven days duration or longer.  The photocard does not attract discount on the pay-as-you-go service, so if this is your preferred method of travel then you are not advised to apply for the card.

When can I apply?

You must complete the registration process for your course at City University London, and be in receipt of your University student ID card, before you can apply for a TfL student Oyster photocard. Returning students must re-register on their course with City University before applying for the photocard. The TfL scheme runs from 1 September 2009 - 31 July 2010, and it is only between these dates that TfL’s online application process is available for use.

Why do I have to register on my course before I apply for the card?

This is because TfL requires City University London to verify that you are studying here.  This is done electronically using our central student records system, which is updated as soon as you have completed the registration process.  This is also the case for returning students, who must re-register on the City University London website before applying for the card.


If you apply for the card before you have registered (or re-registered) on your course, then the University will not be able to verify your application to TfL, you will lose the £5 charge that you pay online and will have to re-apply and pay the charge a second time.

How do I apply?

Once you have registered on your course, and received your University student ID card, you can then go to www.tfl.gov.uk/photocard  to create your account and complete your online application.


 You will need to select “City University London” from the drop-down menu of participating institutions; enter your student enrolment (ID) number (which is printed on the right hand side of your University ID card, prefixed “Reg No:”) and will need to upload a digital photograph of yourself to the site as part of the application process.


TfL requires part-time undergraduate students to provide evidence of their means tested financial support to the University, and you can do this by visiting the Student Centre at Northampton Square.


Once your application has been verified by City University London, your student Oyster photocard will be posted to you by TfL within five to seven days.



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Date of Article:  21/08/2007