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Attending main registration is one of the most important and exciting parts of your time as a new student at Surrey, and something that all students must attend.
Please note: the information below is for Foundation, Undergraduate and Postgradutate Taught students only. Postgraduate Research students have different registration arrangements. Please check your email inbox for an email with subject line "Welcome to the University of Surrey!" for the details. Contact researchdegrees@surrey.ac.uk if you have any questions.
How to prepare for main registration
This 2-hour event not only gives you an introduction to life at Surrey, but it’s also how we know that you have arrived to get started on your course.
What happens at main registration?
At main registration you will:
Be taken on a tour of our Stag Hill Campus to help you find your way around. We are proud of our campus, and for many of you it will be home for the next few months!
Watch a short welcome talk to help you get started. We will present useful information and let you know who to speak to if you have any questions or need assistance.
Have your personal information and ID checked.
Be able to collect your campus card if you were able to pre-submit a suitable photo as part of your online pre-registration. If not, we will give you information on how to order and collect your card.
When is main registration?
Main registration happens in 2-hour slots during the first week of the academic year. You pre-book a slot at a time that suits you. Slots will be during the following weeks:
Courses starting in February 2025: 3 – 7 February 2025
Courses starting in September 2025: dates will be announced here in August 2025
If you cannot attend any of the available main registration slots, you must get in touch as soon as possible.
If you do not complete registration
If you do not register you may have your place at the University suspended.
If you cannot attend any of the available main registration slots, you must get in touch as soon as possible.
Checklist
Ensure you have read through all the information on this page
All the key information can be found here, including the documentation that you must bring with you.
Complete your online pre-registration
You must do this first before pre-booking your slot and attending main registration.
It's vital that you pre-book a slot to attend main registration. You can book these online now using the link below.
We recommend cross-checking your academic and welcome timetable to ensure that you pick a slot that fits nicely into your schedule. Allow at least 2 hours for this event.
If you cannot attend any of the available main registration slots, you must get in touch as soon as possible.
You will need to bring documentation with you to your main registration slot, and you won’t be able to register without them. We have provided a list of all the requirements in the documentation section.
Meet us at MySurrey Hive Stag Hill with your documentation in hand just before your chosen time slot – our team will be there to meet you and answer any questions you have!
Unfortunately, we cannot accept scanned copies or photocopies of your ID or visa documents. We can only accept your original documents
If you have a conditional offer and we haven't seen your certificates, then upload them to Surrey Self-Service to be checked, otherwise you don't need to bring them with you.
Official documentation
UK or Irish students
Please bring the same passport, birth certificate or National ID Card (Irish students only) that you uploaded during pre-registration with you.
If you do not have access to the document that you uploaded during pre-registration, or you forget it on the day, then in certain circumstances we can accept a UK photo driving licence instead. You must bring your original ID with you, photocopies or scans will not be accepted.
Students may register by showing a UK photo driving licence in the hall only if they have already uploaded a clear copy of a passport or birth certificate during pre-registration. In all other circumstances a driving licence will not be accepted in the hall and you will need to go and get your passport or birth certificate before you can register.
European and international students
Please select the type of visa/status that you hold from the list below to check what you will need to bring with you to registration.
UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requires that we keep copies of these documents, so we’ll take copies during registration. We’re also responsible for keeping a record of your immigration status and for reporting any student who does not register or attend their course at the University.
Please note:
We cannot accept expired Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) as evidence of ongoing immigration permission. If you have an ongoing immigration status with an expired BRP, you will need to activate your digital account and provide a share code as evidence of your immigration status.
Unfortunately, for main registration, we cannot accept scanned copies or photocopies of your passport or visa. We can only accept your original documents
If you have any queries about what visa documents you should bring to registration please search MySurrey website, where you will find lots of useful information about visas and contact details if you need more support.
University of Surrey Student Visa - digital status
In all cases:
Passport.
As applicable:
Border stamp confirming date of entry, or
Other evidence of date of travel if no stamp was issued or an eGate was used. Other evidence can include booking confirmations, travel tickets or boarding passes
If you have already provided a Share Code to the University no additional action is required
If you have not yet provided a Share Code to the University please do so before in-person registration so we can verify your status. The online pre-registration system includes a section to provide a share code, or if you have already completed that process, please send us a code through Surrey Support. When generating your Share Code please make sure you choose the third option ('Something Else') when asked what the code will be used for. Choosing either of the other options means unfortunately the code will not work with the verification system we have access to.
If you attend registration without first sending us a Share Code you will still be registered, but the process may be delayed.
If you were under 18 when making your visa application, you are required to bring a copy of the consent letter from your parent(s) or legal guardian that you provided when applying for your visa.
Ongoing Student Visa application
If you have applied for a Student Visa sponsored by the University of Surrey you can still register as long as you bring the following documents with you to registration.
In all cases:
Passport
BRP card or share code for your previous UK visa
Home Office Document Checklist confirming submission of visa application.
Indefinite Leave/Settlement Visa
In all cases:
Passport
Evidence of your current status. Depending on when your visa was issued this may be in the form of a share code, BRP card or passport vignette.
If your vignette was issued in a previous passport that is acceptable as proof of immigration status.
A BRP will only be accepted if it is still in date.
If you hold a digital visa status and have already provided a share code to the University no additional action is required.
If you have not yet provided a share code to the University please do so before in-person registration so we can verify your status. The online pre-registration system includes a section to provide a share code, or if you have already completed that process, please send us a code through Surrey Support. When generating your share code please make sure you choose the third option ('Something Else') when asked what the code will be used for. Choosing either of the other options means unfortunately the code will not work with the verification system we have access to.
If you attend registration without first sending us a share code you will still be registered, but the process may be delayed.
EU Settlement Scheme
In all cases:
Passport or EU National Identity Card
As applicable:
BRP Card, only if still in date or;
If you hold a digital visa status and have already provided a share code to the University no additional action is required.
If you have not yet provided a share code to the University please do so before in-person registration so we can verify your status. The online pre-registration system includes a section to provide a share code, or if you have already completed that process, please send us a code through Surrey Support. When generating your share code please make sure you choose the third option ('Something Else') when asked what the code will be used for. Choosing either of the other options means unfortunately the code will not work with the verification system we have access to.
If you attend registration without first sending us a share code you will still be registered, but the process may be delayed.
Visitor Visa
Only acceptable for programmes of study up to six months in length.
In all cases:
Passport.
As applicable:
Visa vignette or visa entry stamp, or
Other evidence of date of travel if an eGate was used. Other evidence can include booking confirmations, travel tickets or boarding passes.
Asylum Application
In all cases:
Application Registration Card (ARC)
Bail 201 or IS248 Notice.
As applicable:
Passport or Travel Document, if held.
Tier 2/Skilled Worker Visa
In all cases:
Passport
If you hold a digital visa status and have already provided a share code to the University no additional action is required.
If you have not yet provided a share code to the University please do so before in-person registration so we can verify your status. The online pre-registration system includes a section to provide a share code, or if you have already completed that process, please send us a code through Surrey Support. When generating your share code please make sure you choose the third option ('Something Else') when asked what the code will be used for. Choosing either of the other options means unfortunately the code will not work with the verification system we have access to.
If you attend registration without first sending us a share code you will still be registered, but the process may be delayed.
As applicable;
If you are enrolling on a full time degree programme please provide a letter from your sponsor confirming that enrolment on our programme will not negatively interfere with the employment you have been sponsored to undertake.
British National Overseas Visa
In all cases:
Passport.
If you hold a digital visa status and have already provided a share code to the University no additional action is required.
If you have not yet provided a share code to the University please do so before in-person registration so we can verify your status. The online pre-registration system includes a section to provide a share code, or if you have already completed that process, please send us a code through Surrey Support. When generating your share code please make sure you choose the third option ('Something Else') when asked what the code will be used for. Choosing either of the other options means unfortunately the code will not work with the verification system we have access to.
If you attend registration without first sending us a share code you will still be registered, but the process may be delayed.
Refugee Status, PBS Dependant Visa, UK Ancestry Visa, UK Spouse/Family Visa, or Turkish Worker Visa (including family members)
In all cases:
Passport.
If you hold a digital visa status and have already provided a share code to the University no additional action is required.
If you have not yet provided a share code to the University please do so before in-person registration so we can verify your status. The online pre-registration system includes a section to provide a share code, or if you have already completed that process, please send us a code through Surrey Support. When generating your share code please make sure you choose the third option ('Something Else') when asked what the code will be used for. Choosing either of the other options means unfortunately the code will not work with the verification system we have access to.
If you attend registration without first sending us a share code you will still be registered, but the process may be delayed.
Graduate Route visa
The Graduate Route visa only allows limited study options, and cannot be used for any of our main degree programmes.
If you intend to use a Graduate Route visa to study, please urgently contact Surrey Support to confirm this is appropriate.
If the Graduate Route is not suitable, you will only be permitted to register if there is time for a different visa application to be made.
Other types of visa
In all cases:
Passport
Proof of visa type; share code, physical document (only acceptable if still in date).
If you hold a visa not covered in this list and have any queries before registration please contact Surrey Support.
