Whether you’re heading to Ministry of Sound for one of our Welcome Week club nights, or heading to our very own Institute bar, you don’t want to be turned away because you’ve brought the wrong ID. Not sure what ID is acceptable on a night out? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back. Here’s everything you need to know about getting your ID sorted before you hit the bars during Welcome Week (or any week, really).
What counts as acceptable ID?
To get into bars, pubs, clubs and most nightlife venues in London, your ID needs to prove three things:
- You’re over 18.
- It’s official.
- It’s scannable or easily recognisable by security staff.
Here’s what will work:
- Driving Licence (provisional or full, UK or international as long as it hasn't expired)
- CitizenCard
- ISIC Card (must be the official ID version, not just the app)
- PASS-accredited ID cards such as TOTUM ID Card, can't be a student discount card of digital version)
- EU National Identity Card (unexpired)
- Passport (last resort)
And here’s what wont:
- Your UCL student ID – great for campus, useless for clubbing (although you will still need to bring this when going to campus bars in addition to your ID)
- Your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP). Official, yes, but it doesn't reliably provide proof of age and isn't part of the PASS scheme which is why most venues don’t accept it. So it's not worth the risk, especially if you're going out on campus or nearby as our licencing authority (Camden Council) have stated BRP isn't a sufficient proof of age document.
- A photo of your passport on your phone. It doesn’t count, no matter how clear the selfie is.
If you’re arriving in the UK for the first time and your passport is safely tucked away, we recommend ordering a CitizenCard as soon as possible. It's affordable at less than £20 and easy to apply for online. They’ll arrive by post and can take up to 21 days to process, so get on it before you arrive in London to avoid missing out (although they do offer a 1-2 day fast tracked service if you're willing to pay extra).
Why is a passport a ‘last resort’?
We wouldn’t recommend using your passport. Losing it on a night out is a nightmare you don’t want, especially if you're an international student. Replacing it can take weeks, it’s costly and can make a mess of your visa situation. It’s best keeping it safe and carrying something that’s meant for nightlife only.
Final tip
You’ll thank yourself later if you sort this early. There’s nothing worse than sitting at home while your friends are out, just because your ID is still in the post. Welcome Week only happens once, make sure you’re not stuck on the doorstep.