Student ID card

Student ID card

What is a McMaster Student ID card?

Your ID card identifies you as a McMaster University student: it displays your student number, name, photo, and contains an encoded magnetic strip. You will be able to use this card to obtain a variety of University services.

Please note: your card remains the property of McMaster University and if you cease to be a McMaster student, the card must be returned to the Office of the Registrar.

Why do I need one?

Your McMaster Photo ID identifies you as a McMaster University student and permits you access to services on campus. In addition, you must present your student card in the Registrar’s Office to make inquiries about your personal academic record.

Exams: McMaster ID card required

McMaster student photo ID cards are required at all examinations as the method of identification.

Students who seat themselves at an examination without student ID cards may be required to withdraw from the examination.

Students arriving without student ID cards will be required (before being seated) to obtain a single use verification for that exam only;  a $30.00 fee applies. No extension of the examination will be permitted to compensate for any delay encountered to obtain a temporary ID.

How do I get one?

Newly admitted students must upload a passport type photo (head shot) in Mosaic Student Centre > Personal Information > Demographics by July 20. Once you have completed your enrolment, your ID card will be produced.

If you uploaded your student card photo by September 30, your student card has been mailed via Canada Post. Please allow 2-3 weeks for delivery for requests from September.

If you are studying in a country where the postal service is suspended, please check your email for more information.

Photo requirements

To be considered acceptable, your uploaded photo must:

• be recent and similar to a passport photo (head shot only, looking straight into the camera)
• have a neutral or smiling expression
• be in colour, in focus and of good quality (scanned photos of your driver’s license, passport or health card are not acceptable)
• be on an uncluttered background and of you alone (no other people or animals permitted in photo)
• not contain props (i.e. hats, sunglasses or graduation caps)

Maximum file size of your photo must be 3MB or less to be successfully uploaded.

Uploaded photos not meeting the above criteria will be deleted, resulting in delays in receiving your student card.

• Undergraduate students
  • Out-of-province and out-of-country students: If your photo is uploaded and approved by the suggested deadline, you should receive it by start of term. If you reside in a country that has interrupted mail service, we will provide you with a PDF of your student card until it is safe for us to send. The PDF will be sent to you via your @mcmaster.ca email.
  • Ontario students: If your photo is uploaded and approved by the suggested deadline, you should receive your student card by mail for the start of term.
• Graduate students
  • Check with your Department, if not available there then please visit the School of Graduate Studies website.

Photo Troubleshooting Tips:

Having issues uploading?

• Check your file size. If your jpg image is too big, you will get a generic error message. The file should be less than 3MB in size. Try picking a different picture with a smaller file size or  resize your image in Paint or Photoshop.

Photo Upload button not active?

• Contact us through our online chat, available at the bottom right corner of any page on this website during operating hours. A button will appear that says “Live help is online”. Live chat hours run from 10:30-12:30 and 1:30-3:00, Monday to Thursday. Volumes are high and we appreciate your patience when waiting for an SSP to join the chat.

What if it’s lost or stolen?

If your card is lost or stolen, report it immediately by to the Office of the Registrar’s online chat or the MAC Express Centre (Commons 128) to have the card invalidated. Replacement cards can be created for a $30 fee once we have returned to in-person service.

Replacement cards

Please contact our online chat for our policies on damaged, faded, or non-operational cards. Photographs can be updated at the discretion of the Registrar’s Office staff.

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Where can I use my card on campus?

Library Card: The bar code on the card will enable you to borrow materials through the McMaster Library system and access the digital collections.

University Campus Store: Your card can be used as a charge card at the Campus Store.

Hospitality Services:

• If you are a residence student, your McMaster ID card is your meal card.
• Off-campus students may elect to put money on their student card to be used at on-campus and select off-campus dining locations. Please contact Hospitality Services for more information.

Recreation Card: You can use your ID card to access the David Braley Athletic Centre once in-person service resumes. In addition, your ID card entitles you to the discounted McMaster student rate for admission to varsity sports competitions and for the purchase of additional services.