TU Dortmund University Introduces Digital Student ID

You can access your student ID in the TU app. When you log into your UniAccount, you’ll see the “student ID” tile in your personal settings.

To use your student ID, you need the TU app and the UniAccount. You can download the TU app  for free in the App Store and Google Play Store. You received your UniAccount in the mail with your enrollment. It usually consists of the letters sm, the first three letters of your first name, and the first four letters of your last name. You also had to set a password for your UniAccount.

Your student ID can essentially be used for the same services as the UniCard. You use it to identify yourself as a student, for example to take advantage of the cafeteria discount or other off-campus discounts (theater, cinema, swimming pool, etc.). You can also use your student ID to borrow media from the university libraries. Like the UniCard, your student ID cannot be used as a travel pass for public transportation. However, you can use your semester ticket (NRW ticket) directly in the TU app.

Only your first name, last name and student ID number are displayed on your student ID. In addition, a QR code is generated that you can use to verify your student status.

There is no data in the QR code itself. The information that the QR code displays when scanned differs depending on the client. Clients are bodies that can scan your QR code and may require personal data. The relevant personal data is delivered via an ITMC server, which distinguishes between the clients and only provides them with the permitted datasets.

Different clients usually require different data: In the cafeteria, for example, the only relevant factor is whether the person is a student. The library, on the other hand, requires the person’s identity, while the theater box office only wants to verify that the QR code presented is genuine. The server only ever provides the clients with the information that they actually need.

For ease of verification, the QR code can be scanned with any smartphone. The QR code contains a URL that leads to an ITMC website where the up-to-date student status is verified.

Both your student ID and your printed or digital enrollment certificate are only valid when combined with an official photo ID.

Yes. With the student ID, we have developed a digital version of the UniCard that is also resource-efficient.

There will be a transition period until the end of 2022, during which the UniCard will still be recognized as a visual ID. However, other functions such as borrowing media from the university libraries will no longer be available.

If you don’t have a smartphone, you can use your (printed or digital) enrollment certificate as identification instead. You can obtain the enrollment certificate at BOSS under “Studienverwaltung” (general administration). You also need this certificate to report your student status to family benefits offices or health insurance companies.

 In the library, you can use the lending services with a temporary ID card, which you can find in your library account (tab "User services").
 

If you have a smartphone with an Android operating system that doesn’t have access to the Google Play Store, you can also download the app directly from TU Dortmund University’s ServicePortal. Please note that the ITMC cannot guarantee support in this case. In addition, you won’t be able to get push notifications or automatic updates.

If your smartphone’s operating system is generally not compatible with the TU app, you can use your enrollment certificate and an official photo ID as identification, as described in the previous question.

The UniCard was equipped with the German Banking Industry Committee’s money card function (“Geldkarte”), which you can still use to make cashless and contactless payments. However, this system has been terminated by the Committee and is being phased out.
The Studierendenwerk Dortmund has decided that its gastronomic facilities will only be accepting cashless payment. A variety of contactless payment options are available for this purpose. For example, you can pay with bank and credit cards, or with a mobile device (apps, Google Pay, Apple Pay, etc.). For more information about the payment options, please visit the website of the Studierendenwerk Dortmund.

As a contractual partner of the General Student Committee (AStA) for the theater flat rate, Dortmund Theater has been informed about the new digital student ID. This means you should also be able to present your student ID there. If other external bodies do not (yet) accept the student ID, presenting your (printed or digital) enrollment certificate is usually sufficient.

The student ID shares less data than the UniCard. The student ID displays your personal data for visual verification and a QR code for digital verification. The technology behind it is a cryptographic security procedure and a reference to the personal data stored securely on the ITMC server. A new QR code is generated every 30 seconds and is only valid for that period. The personal data is delivered via an ITMC server, and only authorized bodies have access to it. This data cannot be captured by unauthorized parties. Accordingly, no personal data is stored in the QR code itself. With the client concept (see the question “What information does the QR code contain?”), only individually configured personal data that is absolutely necessary is exchanged.

In addition, the student ID reduces the risk of misuse, because the use of the student ID can be blocked immediately if you’re removed from the register of students or lose your smartphone.

No. For exams, you have to present an official photo ID (identity card or passport). If the examiner also requires a printed enrollment certificate, he or she will inform you in advance.

In fall of 2021, the Senate of TU Dortmund University unanimously decided to introduce the digital student ID. The enrollment regulations have been amended accordingly. All four groups at the university – students, professors, academic staff, and technical and administrative staff – were involved in this decision.

The UniCard for employees will continue to exist in its current form for the time being but will also eventually be discontinued. More information on this will be released throughout the year.

As of 1 March 2022, students can no longer order UniCards. All cards that were ordered by this date and for which all necessary requirements for production (semester fee received) were met were produced and a pick-up notification was sent. Beyond that, no more UniCards will be issued.

If you have received a pick-up notification for your UniCard, you can still pick it up until 11 April 2022. After that, any cards that have not been picked up will be destroyed.