The University of Greenwich subscribes to the TfL 18+ Student Oyster photocard discount scheme. Information on how to apply for the scheme can be found here.
If you apply but are not/not yet eligible for an oyster card or apply for the wrong oyster card, your application will be rejected and you will lose your application fee. Please read the guidance on this page carefully before proceeding.
The 18+ Student Oyster card provided by Transport for London (TfL) is available to registered University of Greenwich students that meet the eligibility criteria set by TfL.
Please read and check the eligibility criteria of the scheme (available on the TfL website) before applying for the 18+ Student Oyster photocard. If unsure, contact the Student Centre for extra guidance before submitting an application.
Students who are eligible for the TfL 18+ Oyster card should not apply until they are fully registered and have a Greenwich Gateway Card (Student ID card). Failing to follow this guidance could result in an application being rejected and result in the loss of the application fee.
How to apply
Before you start your application you will need the following:
- Your Student ID Number (the 9 digit number quoted on your Greenwich Gateway card that starts with 00 or 000)
- A credit or debit card to pay the relevant application fee
- Your programme start and end dates
- An active e-mail address
- A digital photograph of yourself
When you have gathered the information above, are fully registered and have checked you meet the eligibility criteria, you will need to visit Oyster Online Photocard website. Under the 'How to Apply' heading please ensure you select the 'School, college or university course' option and not the 'Work placement' option.
After you have applied, we will check the application to make sure that all the criteria has been met and then approve the application.
However, if your record shows that you have not met the eligibility criteria, we will have to reject your application. In these cases, we will not be able to offer a refund or cover any costs associated with an invalid application.
Additional Information
Below is some additional information that might help you with questions or queries associated with the TfL 18+ Student Oyster photo card. If you have any further questions please email the Student Centre.
Groups that may not be eligible
Applying for the 18+ Student Oyster photocard under the University of Greenwich is not suitable for:
- Students who are studying at a Partner or Network college (please contact your college for details and to ask if they are registered to the scheme)
- Student who are studying a Distance Learning or an online programme
- Students who are studying on a Degree Apprenticeship programme (visit Apprentice Oyster photocard for more information)
- Alumni or those who have completed their studies
- Students currently on an interruption of study
- Students on short courses that are expected to last less than 14 weeks
- Students with outstanding tuition fees
Students who are eligible for the TfL 18+ Oyster card should not apply until they are fully registered and are in possession of a Greenwich Gateway Card. Failing to follow this guidance could result in an application being rejected and the loss of the application fee.
Further information on Student Oyster Cards.
Changes that can stop your card
TfL ask the university to regularly check if students are still entitled to the 18+ Student Oyster photocard and if the criteria is no longer being met, will ask us to reject the card. This means that a 18+ Student Oyster photocard previously endorsed by the university could be cancelled and access to any discounts will stop if students do not continually meet the criteria. In these circumstances, the university will not be able to offer a refund or be liable for any costs associated with loss of the discount or making a new application.
This could happen at anytime throughout the year, but formal audits happen every Autumn and Spring. Some of the common changes that could result in your card being rejected are:
- Change from Full-Time to Part-Time (and not meeting Part time student eligibility criteria)
- Completing your programme early
- Taking an interruption of study
- Withdrawing from the University of Greenwich (including transferring to another institution)
- Not completing the annual registration activity by the deadlines set by the university
- No longer being in receipt of financial help from the university hardship fund (part time, postgraduates online)
When a card has been rejected the university cannot reactivate the card and a new application will need to be submitted.
Needing more time on the card
When a students applies for the 18+ Student Oyster photocard their expected end date is either confirmed or updated by the university against the date on the application. This becomes the expiry date of the photocard.
If during their time a student needs to repeat a year, changes mode to undertake a sandwich year, changes programme to one that takes more time to complete or otherwise extends their expected end date, the university cannot update the photocard with a new expiry date.
Normally in these cases a student will need to reapply for a new photocard, checking they meet the criteria set by TfL.
Partner and Network Colleges
The university is unable to endorse or approve applications for students studying with one of our Partner or Network Colleges. Students will need to check with their home college for information about the scheme and how to apply.
16+ Zip Oyster photocard
The university is unable to endorse or approve applications for the 16+ Zip Oyster Card. This is due to the eligibility criteria surrounding the level of the award someone is studying towards being below what is offered at the university.