u:card for students - FAQ

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• How do I get my u:card?

  You can order your u:card via u:space: Personal matters > My u:card. When you order your new card, you will also have to accept the library’s terms and conditions and upload your passport photo and a scan of your passport/personal ID card.
  
  The u:card will be delivered by post to the address you provided in the order (this only applies to EU/EEA/CH). Please enter street, house number and, if there is one, block, staircase and door number. If you live in Austria, you can use your address as stated in your residence registration form. In case of missing information your u:card can not be delivered.

  Postal delivery is not possible for:
  
  Incoming students who are studying at the University of Vienna on certain mobility schemes. They can collect their u:card from the International Office instead. These mobility schemes include:
  •    Erasmus+
  •    Non-EU Student Exchange Programme
  •    Erasmus+ International Mobility
• Can I collect the u:card directly at the University of Vienna?

  No, the u:card will be sent by the printing company directly to the address you provided.
• I have not yet received my u:card. How can I prove that I am admitted at the University of Vienna?

  In the meantime, you can confirm that you are student via your student record sheet (or confirmation of studies) and an ID card.
• I do not have an address in the EU/EEA or Switzerland? How can I get my u:card?

  The u:card can only be delivered to an address in the EU/EEA or Switzerland. It can only be used after validation at a u:card terminal of the University of Vienna.

  You do not need the u:card to participate in courses and lectures.

  Exceptions:
  
  Incoming students who are studying at the University of Vienna on certain mobility schemes. They can collect their u:card from the International Office instead. These mobility schemes include:
  •    Erasmus+
  •    Non-EU Student Exchange Programme
  •    Erasmus+ International Mobility
• When can I order my u:card?

  You can order your u:card via u:space: Personal matters - My u:card.
• How long does it take to send my u:card?

  Printing and shipping of the u:card may take up to three weeks.
• What should my u:card photo look like?

  Your head should take up about two-thirds of the picture and the single-coloured background must be in clear contrast to your face.

  Further requirements necessary for the u:card photo to be accepted:

  • It must have been taken recently and in colour.
  • It should be able to clearly identify you.
  • You must be the only person in the photo.
  • The photo must be uploaded in a JPEG or PNG file and have a maximum file size of 5 MB.

  Click here for a sample photo.
• Why do I have to upload a scan of my ID card when ordering the u:card?

  We need a scan of your ID card to check whether the photo and the details you provided are correct. Please upload the scan as a JPEG or PNG file (maximum file size: 5 MB).
• How much does the u:card cost?

  The u:card is free when it is issued for the first time. Reordering your u:card costs EUR 15.00 (when ordering online).
• Why do I have to pay €15,- for a duplicate of the u:card?

  Every student of the University of Vienna will get the first u:card free of charge. Since the issuance of each u:card is linked to personnel and financial ressources, a fee of €15,- is due when ordering a u:card. You can find the corresponding University Gazette on the website of the University of Vienna.

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• How does my u:card become valid? What does ‘validation’ mean?

  The u:card becomes valid as soon as you have validated it at one of the  u:card terminals. The validation terminal will print your personal details on a special field using thermoprinting technology. Every time the u:card is validated (by students at the beginning of each semester), the old details in the thermoprinting field are automatically overwritten with the new details.

  Please note: Students can only validate their u:card after they have paid the tuition fee/students' union fee. It may take a few days for the payment and thereby the admission to be confirmed ("Status: admitted" in the study overview in u:space). After confirmation, students can validate their u:cards.
• How does the validation work?

  Please insert your u:card as shown on the u:card terminal. You do not need a password for the validation.

  The validation terminal will then print your personal details on a special field using thermoprinting technology. Every time the u:card is validated (by students at the beginning of each semester), the old details in the thermoprinting field are automatically overwritten with the new details.
• Why is my new u:card empty?

  A validity period will be printed on the u:card when you validate it at one of the u:card terminals.

  Please note: Students can only validate their u:card after they have paid the tuition fee/students' union fee. It may take a few days for the payment and thereby the admission to be confirmed ("Status: admitted" in the study overview in u:space). After confirmation, students can validate their u:cards.
• Where can I find the u:card terminals?

  Click here for the locations of the u:card terminals.

  This link takes you to Google Maps. By clicking on the link, personal data is sent to Google and can also be used by Google.
• How long is my u:card valid for?

  As a student ID card:

  • issued/revalidated in the winter semester ⇒ valid until 31 March
  • issued/revalidated in the summer semester ⇒ valid until 31 October

  After re-enrolment, you can revalidate your u:card for the next semester.
• Will I get a new u:card every semester?

  No. You will only be issued one u:card. You have to revalidate your u:card at one of the u:card terminals every semester. This way, the u:card will be valid for the new semester.
• The validity period printed on my u:card is incorrect. Who can I contact?

  Please check which data your u:card should show via u:space under Personal matters - My u:card. You can then update what is printed on your u:card at one of the  u:card terminals. If your data are still incorrect, please use our contact form.
• What happens to my old u:card if I order a new u:card?

  Once you have validated your new u:card at one of the u:card terminals, the old u:card will no longer be valid.
• I have to validate my u:card but am currently not in Vienna. What can I do?

  You can only validate your u:card at the u:card terminals. However, you can also ask a person you trust to do this for you.

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• How can I use my u:card as copy card?

  Starting 18 March 2019, you can use your u:card on selected u:print terminals to print, scan and copy documents by logging-in to a terminal with your u:card. You have to charge your u:card with credit first.

  You can charge your u:card either by using the online payment portal (payment via Visa, Mastercard, Giropay and eps online payment) or the charging station in the „Neues Institutsgebäude“, Computer Room 3 (payment via Visa, Mastercard, V Pay, Maestro, epay and Giropay).

  Further information on u:print
• Where can I get my library card?

  For students of the University of Vienna, the u:card serves both as their student ID card and their library card, provided that they accept the library’s terms and conditions when they place their order.
• Can I get a u:card as a co-registered student?

  Yes, you can. Co-registered students can order a u:card via u:space under Personal matters - My u:card. However, their u:card works only as a library card and not as a student ID card. 
• Is the u:card an official photo identification card?

  The University of Vienna issues the student ID as a photo ID in the context of sovereignty administration. In any case, it is recognized within the University as an identity card for examinations, for the collection of documents or for library use, in addition, by many bodies and authorities to the proof of study at the University of Vienna.
   
  Whether the u:card is accepted as official photo ID by authorities at home and abroad depends on the relevant administrative regulations and is in part at the discretion of these authorities. We recommend that you provide a valid passport or identity card for important official channels (eg elections, applications).
  
  

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• I did not receive my u:card. What can I do?

  The u:card will be delivered by post to the address you provided in the order (this only applies to EU/EEA countries). Please note that printing and delivering the u:card may take up to two weeks.

  If you have still not received your u:card, please check whether the address you provided is correct and complete (including staircase and door number) and order a new u:card. Ordering a new u:card costs EUR 15.00 (when ordering online).

  Postal delivery is not possible for:
  Incoming students who are studying at the University of Vienna on certain mobility schemes. They can collect their u:card from the International Office instead. These mobility schemes include:

  • Erasmus+
  • Non-EU Student Exchange Programme
  • Erasmus+ International Mobility
• My u:card can not be validated. What can I do?

  Please try the validation at another u:card-terminal again. If the problem persists, please contact the support via the contact form.
• I have lost my u:card / my u:card was stolen. Where can I get a new one?

  You can order a new u:card via u:space under Personal matters - My u:card. Reordering your u:card costs EUR 15.00 (when ordering online).
• I have disabled the functions of my u:card. Can I enable them again?

  If you have disabled the functions of your u:card yourself, you can enable them again (free of charge) via u:space under Personal matters - My u:card.
• I would like to change the photo on my u:card. What do I do?

  Please upload the new photo and order a new u:card via u:space under Personal matters - My u:card. Ordering a new u:card costs EUR 15.00 (when ordering online).
• The validity period printed on my u:card is incorrect. Who can I contact?

  Please check which data your u:card should show via u:space under Personal matters - My u:card. You can then update what is printed on your u:card at one of the  u:card terminals. If your data are still incorrect, please use our contact form.
• The name printed on my u:card is not correct (anymore). How can I change my name on the u:card?

  If you would like to correct or change your name, please contact the Admission Office and order a new u:card as soon as your name has been changed. Ordering a new u:card costs EUR 15.00 (when ordering online).
• I have found a u:card. What should I do with it?

  Please hand it in to the Fundamt (lost property office).
• I uploaded the wrong photo. What can I do?

  As long as we have not yet processed your order, you can still upload a different photo via u:space under Personal matters - My u:card . If your photo does not meet the necessary criteria (see FAQ ‘What should my u:card photo look like?’), we will ask you to change the photo when we process your order.
• My u:card is poorly printed. What can I do?

  In the event of

  • illegible print of your name
  • stripes or distorted colours in the photo

  please validate your u:card again at a different u:card terminal.

  If the misprint persists, please use the upload-function of the contact form to send us a high-resolution photo of your u:card, clearly displaying the poor print.
  
  Problems with the terminals can also be reported via the contact form.

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• Can I get a u:card with tactile identifier?

  All cards printed since 9 April 2018 are delivered with a tactile identifier. The letters "UW" for "Universität Wien" are engraved on the right side of the photograph. Already delivered cards will not be replaced.

  People who need a tactile identifier due to a visual impairment, can order a new u:card via the contact form.
• Can I also check online what data my u:card shows?

  Yes. You can check which data your u:card currently shows via u:space under Personal matters - My u:card.
• Does the u:card terminal have a voice guidance function?

  Yes. As soon as you connect your headphones to the terminal using mini jack plugs, the voice guidance function will start automatically and guide you through the validation process. The socket is located on the right side of the terminal, slightly below the slot for the card.