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Campus Cards FAQs

This page is intended to give a broad introduction to how the Campus Card works. This FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) is split into the following parts:

  • 1 to 10: general information about the Campus Card
  • 11 to 18: purchasing goods and services
  • 19 to 22: printing and photocopying for students.

1. What is a Campus Card?

A Campus Card is your University of Reading student/staff/associate card. This card contains a microchip which runs a variety of applications.

2. How do I get one?

All students receive a student Campus Card when they go through the full enrolment procedure. Staff members and Associates can get a Campus Card from Human Resources, who are based in room 110 of Whiteknights house or from the Library based at Greenlands campus.

3. Do I need a new Campus Card every year?

No, the same Campus Card will work throughout your course or employment here at the University of Reading.

4. What does my PIN code let me do and how do I find it?

The PIN code is used for door access to the 24 hour PC labs and other doors around campus.

If you want to find out your PIN code you can use the Campus Card Portal.

5. What do I do if I lose my Campus Card?

For students:

i. You can check with the Security office at Whiteknights house to see if your Campus Card has been handed in. If you are unable to get to the Security office you can also check your University of Reading email address to see if you have been contacted by Security to inform you that your Campus Card has been found. Please remember that a lost Campus Card is only kept for two weeks once received, after which time the Campus Card will be destroyed.

ii. If you have lost your Campus Card during the day and are on Whiteknights or London Road campus it is best to get a replacement Campus Card as soon as you can, as the reissue process will automatically block the use of your lost or stolen Campus Card to access your Campus Card account, door access to academic buildings and your library account.

Replacement Campus Cards are available at the following locations:

  • Student Services help desk in the Carrington building
  • Student Support Centre at London Road
  • Student Support Centre in the Edith Morley building
  • Student Support Centre in the Agriculture Building
  • Student Support Centre in JJT building

iii. If you have lost your Campus Card and are unable to get to a place that can print replacement Campus Cards then you must use the Campus Card Portal to block the Campus Card from being used for purchases and door access to academic buildings you have access to. Please note that it may take up to one hour for the block to take effect after you have been notified that this has been done. You can then order a replacement Campus Card online.

iv. If you use your Campus Card for accommodation access then you should contact your halls manager, so they can block the old Campus Card from being used.

v. Upon receiving your replacement Campus Card from Student Services/Library, all services that you use the card for should automatically transfer across to your new Campus Card, the only exception is that door access to some halls of residence will require you to see your halls reception to get your card reprogrammed.

For staff and associates:

i. You can check with the Security office at Whiteknights house to see if your Campus Card has been handed in. If you are unable to get to the Security office you can also check your University of Reading email address to see if you have been contacted by Security to inform you that your Campus Card has been found. Please remember that a lost Campus Card is only kept for two weeks once received, after which time the Campus Card will be destroyed.

ii. If you are using the Campus Card for purchasing university goods & services or for access to buildings you will need to block the Campus Card on the Campus Card Portal. Please note that it may take up to one hour for the block to take effect after you have been notified that this has been done.

iii. If you are on Whiteknights Campus then you can pay for a replacement Campus Card from the Library helpdesk on the ground floor of the library. You can also order a replacement Staff Campus Card by clicking here or a replacement Associate Campus Card by clicking here . If your Campus Card has been stolen then please contact Campus services for a replacement Campus Card using the Staff and Associate Campus Card Order form.

6. Do I have to pay to replace a lost/stolen/damaged Campus Card?

If the Campus Card is lost, then yes. The cost of a replacement Campus Card is £10.

If the Campus Card has been stolen it should also be reported to Security Services and a Crime Report Form completed to obtain a Crime Report Number. We will not charge for replacing stolen Campus Cards as long as the theft has been reported to the Police and a Crime Report Number can be supplied.

7. What do I do if I find a Campus Card?

If you find a Campus Card please take it to Security office at Whiteknights house. They will then try to contact the owner of the Campus Card.

If you are unable to hand in the Campus card in person, then you can post it to the Security Office, using the address on the front of the Campus Card.

8. Do I have to pay to replace a Campus Card if my name has changed?

No, as long as you return your original Campus Card when you get your new Campus Card printed. If you cannot return the original Campus Card then it will be considered to have been lost and the relevant fee will need to be paid for a replacement Campus Card.

Please note: That when you change your name via your faculty office for students, Trent Self-service for staff, or your Head of Department for associates, you will need to wait 24 hours, before your new name will be available to appear on your replacement Campus Card.

9. If I have blocked my Campus Card and then find it, can I re-use it?

No. Once you have blocked your Campus Card it will be deactivated for life and you will have to purchase a new Campus Card.

10. Can I let my friends or family use my Campus Card?

No, the Campus Card can only be used by the person whose details are on the Campus Card. The University has the right to confiscate or refuse to accept a University Campus Card for any of its designed applications, if it is presented by a person other than its owner. If the Campus Card is confiscated it will be considered to have been lost or stolen and relevant fees will need to be paid for a replacement Campus Card.

Purchasing goods and services

11. What can I buy with my Campus Card account?

The Campus Card account will allow you to buy anything from the following outlets on Whiteknights and London Road Campuses with your Campus Card:

Some of these outlets will also have exclusive discounts and offers, that are only available for purchases made with the Campus Card.

In addition the Campus Card account can also be used to pay for your printing & photocopying and your Library/laptop locker fines online.

12. What discounts do I get for using the Campus Card?

When you use your Campus Card to pay for goods and services you will receive discounts from some of the places that accept the Campus Card as payment.

The following is list of regular discounts available, but many outlets will also offer exclusive special deals and promotions throughout the year when you pay with your Campus Card.

  • 10% off all shop items at MERL cafe & gift shop for Campus Card holders.
  • 10% off all food and drink (excluding alcohol) at the ICMA Cafe.
  • 5% off on Royalmail airmail plus international & UK courier services at the Mail shop in Whiteknights house.
  • 5% off everything at the Art shop.

13. How do I put money on my Campus Card account to pay for University goods and services?

Using your University username and password log in to the Campus Card portal and you can then add money to your Campus Card account. 

14. What is the minimum and maximum amount I can put on my Campus Card account?

You are allowed to have a maximum of £200 on your account.

15. Can my friends or family (or someone else) get access to my account details?

Only if you let them have your username and password, otherwise no.

16. Once I've put money on my Campus Card can I get a refund at any time I want?

No. Any remaining money left on the account one year after you cease to be a current student, member of staff or associate member will be donated to a fund for the benefit of students.

17. What If I haven't got enough money left on my Campus Card to pay for something in full at the till?

If you don't have enough money on your Campus Card to pay for items, you can still pay the remainder being paid by debit/credit card. 

18. How does the Catered Package work with my Campus Card?

If you have purchased a catering package then your Campus Card will have a second purse on it that contains your Clever cuisine balance

You cannot add extra money to this purse. The Catering purse operates independently from the Campus Card account and you cannot move money between the two schemes.

For more information, please visit the Clever Cuisine website

 

Printing and Photocopying for Students

19. How do I put money for printing and photocopying on my Campus Card account?

You can add to your Printing and photocopying fund by using one of the following methods:

i. Online through the Campus Card portal: Campus Card Portal. Use your University of Reading username and password to log-on.

ii. Via one of the following tills using your credit/debit card:

More information can be found for photocopying here and for printing at this Guide to Printing

20. Why can't I log into the Multi function printer device when I present my student Campus Card to the reader?

To login to any of the multi-function devices across Campus, students who pay for their printing must have some money within their online balance.

If you have money in your online account and you still cannot login to a multi-function printing device then please email campuscard@reading.ac.uk stating your student number and the number in the bottom right hand corner of your Campus Card.

21. Can I monitor my printer usage?

Yes, to do this you will have to log on to the Campus Card Portal and look at your account history.

22. If I have a problem with my Printing and photocopying who do I contact?

For all problems relating to printing and photocopying please contact ITS Help by emailing its-help@reading.ac.uk or telephoning 0118 378 6262.

If after reading these questions you still require help, please email campuscard@reading.ac.uk who will assist you with your enquiry.

Visit the Campus Card Portal today!

The Campus Card portal

  • Retrieve your PIN
  • Top-up your CAmpus card  account
  • Pay Library/laptop lockers fines
  • Block your card if lost
Things to do now

To Find your PIN, check your account or top-up:

Contact us

Campus Card Systems