Kau card
The KAU card is a personal card that functions as a keycard, library card and print card.
Updates May 2024: After a major system upgrade the order portal has changed, and the new cards will have a different layout. The current KAU-cards will not be affected by this, though! You simply keep your card and continue using it normally.
The KAU-card is a multifunctional card to be used on campus as a keycard, library card and print card. It is NOT valid as a student-ID or to access student discounts.
The card is personal and features your name and date of birth (YYMMDD). There are four different versions of the card that shows whether you are a student, an employee, from an external organization, or a guest.
Please note: employees order their KAU-cards through
For students ordering their first KAU-card
Students orders their card in the KAU-card portal
When the KAU-card is ready it will be sent to the student’s registered postal address in Ladok - make sure your profile is updated with your Swedish postal address. If you do not have a postal address in Sweden please notify the Welcome Centre at the same time you order your card! (valkomstcenter@kau.se) Students in Ingesund do not need to notify us if you live at Ingesund, as your cards are handled locally and are usually collected from Reception.
Activating your card
Once you have received your card it needs to be activated before you can start using it. You will receive a confirmation e-mail once the card has been posted to you, and once you have received your card you can log into the portal and use this code to activate the card.
Please note that cards are not being sent out during the summer. For new students ordering a card for the autumn semester, these cards will be sent out starting Week 33.
Changing your PIN-code and blocking your card
For students who have previously had a KAU-card but need a new one
You log into the KAU-card portal and block the old card. After that a new card can be ordered in the same portal. The card will be sent to the student’s registered postal address in Ladok together with payment information – a replacement card costs 100 SEK.
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Frequently Asked Questions about the KAU-card – STUDENTS
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Am I required to have a KAU-card?
No, having a KAU-card is optional. The main entrances are open during office hours and you can reach most of the common lecture halls. If you want to use the facilities to study during evenings/weekends, or if your courses require you to use labs or computer rooms, then you will need a KAU-card.
How do I activate my card?
When your KAU-card was mailed to you (often a few days after you placed your order) a confirmation e-mail was sent out. Log into the KAU-card Portal and go to the tab KAU-card. There you enter your activation card.
If you never received an e-mail, double check your spam folder and that you have the correct e-mail in My KAU.
If you have lost your activation code contact valkomstcenter@kau.se and they can send you a new one.
If the activation code does not work and your card becomes blocked because because of trying the wrong code too many times, bring your card and your ID to the Welcome Centre and they can unblock it and activate your card on site.
Which areas can I access with my KAU-card?
Your accesses are connected to your course registrations. The keycard function of the card is only active when you are registered on a course, but you can use the library card and print card functions even if you are not registered.
All registered students have access to the main entrances, the reading room at the library, and the sports halls. Hallways, computer rooms, labs, etc depend on which courses you are taking.
During what hours do I have access with my KAU-card?
Students can access all main entrances from 06:00 until midnight. For the sports halls the accesses are from 06:00 every day until 22:00 (Mon-Fri), 20:30 (Sat), and 22:30 (Sun). Certain national holidays the university is completely closed to students – this is posted on the website. Certain rooms can be exempt from this and have its own hours of access.
KAU City is available to students Mon-Fri 08.00-20.00
Employee access is determined by institution of employment, and employees can access those facilities at all times.
My card does not work
If you get an error message after you have put in your PIN-code you need to update your PIN. Do this by logging into the KAU-card portal with your KauID and changing your PIN-code. When you have changed your PIN it takes about 15 minutes until the new code works.
If you get a red light and an error message immediately when your hold your card to the reader you do not have access to the door. Double-check that you are registered for your courses, and then contact the Welcome Centre – note the door and the time you attempted to access it. Please note that many smaller entrances and hallways are only available to those studying in that institution.
If the reader does not react at all when you hold your card to it, contact the Welcome Centre – note the door and the time you tried to access it.
If the card does not work in the library, contact the library directly.
If the card does not work with the printers contact the Printing Office. Please note that the first time you use your card in a printer you will be required to fill in your KauID and password.
I have forgotten my PIN-code
You can choose a new PIN-code by logging into the KAU-card portal with your KauID. Your code cannot be sequential numbers or four identical numbers. When you have changed your PIN it takes about 15 minutes until the new code works.
My card is broken/lost and I need a new one
First you need to block your old card. You do this by logging into the KAU card portal with your KauID . When you have blocked your card you order a new one . You can only have one active card at a time.
Your new card will be sent to your registered postal address together with payment information. A replacement card costs 100 SEK.
I have found my lost card.
If you have not yet ordered a new card you can contact the Welcome Centre and they can unblock it for you.
I have changed my name.
Changing your name does not affect the function of your KAU-card. If you want a new card with your new name you first need to confirm that your new information has been updated from The Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket) – you can ask in the Welcome Centre. Once your name change has gone through you can block your old card and order a new one according to the steps above.
You do not need to pay the replacement card fee when you have changed your name.
I have changed my personal identity number (personnummer)
Changing your personal identity number – or being assigned a Swedish personal identity number – does not affect the function of your keycard or your print card BUT it does affect the library card function. In order for your card to function correctly in the library after a change of your personal identity number you need to block your card and order a new one according to the steps above.
You do not need to pay the replacement card fee when you have changed your personal identity number.
Rules
You find the User agreement for the Kau card under "Documents" on this page.