18+ Student Oyster photocard
If you are a full-time student commuting to university from a London borough, you may be eligible for the 18+ Student Oyster photocard.
The photocard gives students 30% off the price of adult-rate Travelcards and Bus & Tram pass season tickets.
Please note, your card cannot be processed until you are fully enrolled at the University.
To be eligible for the photocard you must be:
- a full-time student aged 18 or over
- a resident in a London borough during term-time (a list of London boroughs can found here: https://directory.londoncouncils.gov.uk/).
- Enrolled at a school, college or university registered on the TfL scheme or on a mandatory work placement in London
You also must be one of the following:
- enrolled on a full-time course including at least 15 tuition-led or structured learning hours a week, with attendance at scheduled classes being Monday to Friday only, and not including evening classes, over a minimum period of 14 weeks on the same course
OR
- a full-time student receiving NHS bursary money
OR
- a full-time postgraduate student (eg studying or writing up for 15 or more hours a week).
You are not eligible if you:
- live outside London, even if your university is in London
- already have an Oyster photocard, Freedom Pass or a Bus & Tram Discount photocard
- live in London outside of term-time
- live in university halls outside of London.
Unfortunately, students on a part-time course at BNU are not eligible for the photocard as they do not meet the funding criteria.
If you suspend your studies for any reason (eg planned break, maternity leave) your card unfortunately will be cancelled and you will have to apply for a new card after re-joining the course.
Please check the Transport for London terms and conditions before applying for the photocard. When submitting your application, you must pay a non-refundable £20 fee, which will not be returned to you if you do not meet the criteria.
You can apply for the 18+ Student Oyster photocard here
Apprentice Oyster photocard discount
If you are studying for a degree apprenticeship and live in a London borough you may be eligible for the Apprentice Oyster photocard discount.
The photocard gives students 30% off the price of adult-rate Travelcards and Bus & Tram Pass season tickets.
Please note that Apprenticeship Oyster photocards are not processed by the Students' Union.
To be eligible for the Photocard you must:
- be aged 18 or over
- live in a London borough (a list of London boroughs can found here: https://directory.londoncouncils.gov.uk/)
- be enrolled on an apprenticeship* with a further education college or training organisation for a minimum of 12 months
- be in the first 12 months of your apprenticeship.
*The apprenticeship must be SASE (Specification for Apprenticeship Standards in England) compliant or an approved standard. It should be delivered by a further education college or training organisation that is approved, or funded by, the Skills Funding Agency.
You are not eligible if you:
- live outside London, even if your apprenticeship is in London
- already have an Oyster photocard, Freedom Pass or a Bus & Tram Discount photocard
- are on a planned break from your apprenticeship learning
- live in London outside of term-time
- are on a pre-Apprenticeship Access programme
If you suspend your studies for any reason (eg planned break, maternity leave) your card unfortunately will be cancelled and you will have to apply for a new card after re-joining the course.
When applying for this photocard, you will need your Unique Leaner Number (ULN) and your UK Provider Reference Number (UKPRN).
The University’s UKPRN is 10000975. Your Unique Learner Number can be found by emailing apprenticeships@bucks.ac.uk
Your ULN number may also be given to you by your school or FE college. It may also be printed on your exam certificate by awarding bodies. The ULN also appears on your Lifelong Learning Account, which can be accessed through the National Careers Service.
Please note your apprenticeship oyster card will expire after 12 months
This photocard is only for students who commute into university daily from London to lessen their travel cost, as opposed to students that live in London out of term-time, or those that live in halls.
Please check the Transport for London terms and conditions before applying for the photocard. When submitting your application, you must pay a non-refundable £20 fee, which will not be returned to you if you do not meet the criteria.
You can apply for the Apprentice Oyster photocard here
TfL Audits
Twice a year, the Students’ Union are required by TfL to complete an audit to confirm that students who are accepted for the photocard discount are still studying at Bucks and still meet the relevant criteria.
This means your card may be cancelled during your studies if it becomes apparent that you do not meet the criteria for your photocard.
If you suspend your studies for any reason (eg planned break, maternity leave) your card unfortunately will be cancelled and you will have to apply for a new card after re-joining the course.
Any queries regarding Oyster cards should be directed to union@bucks.ac.uk.