New enhanced digital platform for the European Student Card
The European Student Card (ESC) is getting a new digital platform. The revamped ESC Router will make it easier for higher education institutions to issue ESCs and for mobile students to validate their student status and access student services across the European Education Area.
What is the ESC Router?
The ESC Router (ESC-R) is a digital platform that enables higher education institutions across Europe to integrate common European elements into their students’ cards, turning them into European Student Cards (ESCs). This means that students can easily validate their student identity and access relevant services when on exchange abroad in Europe.
With a move to the European Commission’s cloud infrastructure comes the highest security standards, further scalability of the ESC and a streamlined user experience for card issuers and student service providers validating ESCs.
By facilitating the rollout of ESCs, the enhanced ESC-R contributes to achieving the goals of the Council Recommendation “Europe on the Move”, which seeks to boost student mobility so that at least 23% of European graduates in higher education have a learning experience abroad by 2030.
When will the new ESC Router be available?
The new ESC Router will be active on 23 October 2024.
What users need to know
Higher education institutions using the current ESC Router have already been contacted to prepare for the migration to the new platform, which will retain the same web address.
A smooth transition process is underway to ensure their accounts and their ESCs issued will be migrated and continue to function seamlessly in the new platform.
If you are a new user, you will be able to register on the new ESC-Router as of 24 October 2024. The link will become available here and on "How the European Student Card works" as of 24 October 2024.
What does the new ESC Router bring?
The new ESC Router offers several benefits to users, including
- full compliance with EU data protection regulations, safeguarding student information at all stages
- scalability through a data model based on EU standards, allowing for future improvements to and evolution of the ESC
- an improved user interface, offering a smoother, more intuitive experience in line with EU design guidelines
- immediate and more secure ESC issuance, enabling higher education institutions to issue cards instantly
- seamless API access, easily integrating with institutional systems
- enhanced platform reliability, providing secure and instant verification of student status
- no external costs for higher education institutions
- more opportunities to expand the services that are accessible to European Student Cardholders
Related topics
If you have any questions about the European Student Card (ESC) or its governance structure, visit our help and support pages.