Preferred name
Your preferred name is what you would like to be called whilst at university, and all correspondence generated to you will use the preferred name by which you have asked to be registered.
The university will change your preferred name without any documentation or proof of legal name change upon request. You do not need to hold a Gender Recognition Certificate; a Statutory Declaration or evidence of name change via Deed Poll to update your preferred name on the student information management system.
You can change your preferred name yourself on Surrey Self-Service at any point during your time at the university.
If you do not populate the preferred name field, your legal name will automatically pull through to this field.
Legal name
There are some systems at the University which will use your legal name, such as MySurrey Engagement and Attendance (although your preferred name can be found on your profile), CMIS Timetabling, and SurreyLearn. There is ongoing work to change this so your preferred name will eventually display across these systems too.
If you would like to change your forename or surname on the Student Record system, you can request a legal name change.
Degree certificates can only be issued in your legal name. In order for the University to issue a degree certificate in your chosen name, you must provide Student Records with proof of legal name change no later than 3 months before the date of your graduation. If you would like to change your name any later than 3 months before the date of graduation please contact the Examinations team examinations@surrey.ac.uk These requests will require evidence such as a passport, marriage certificate or change of name by deed poll document.
Some things to consider:
Your preferred name will be used for all correspondence including letters sent to the address you provide. You may wish to consider whether you are happy for this name to be visible on correspondence sent in the post, via email etc. and update your address preferences accordingly.
If you change your legal name under which you are registered at the university, whether legally or informally, you may need to inform the student loans company, your local authority, any sponsor, and your bank to ensure payments are not delayed. For support with issues of this kind, please contact Student Money Advice who will be able to help with this.
During transition, you may use more than one name. For example, you may enrol under your chosen name while your bank still holds your legal name. This is not illegal as long as it is not used for fraudulent purposes.