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Sconul

Sconul access for staff and students

Sconul Access - Students

You can access other libraries locally and in the rest of the United Kingdom and Ireland for free using the SCONUL Access scheme.

This is a service supported by many higher education libraries in the UK and Ireland. When you have registered with the service, you can visit and may be able to borrow from other participating higher education libraries.

You need to be on a course which lasts for at least 1 year to apply.

The level of access you can have to other libraries depends on your course, because SCONUL Access put types of courses into ‘bands’ which allow different levels of access.

SCONUL Access - course, band and access

Type of course

SCONUL band Level of access

Full-time undergraduates

Band R

Reference only

Part-time or

Distance learning or

Placement students (placements 6 weeks plus)

Band B

Borrowing

Full-time postgraduates

Band C

Borrowing

Postgraduate research students

Band A

Borrowing

Some libraries may restrict or discontinue access from some or all SCONUL Access bands at their discretion. This is usually done during exam periods or other busy times in their academic year.

We strongly advise you to contact the library at the institution you want to visit using your SCONUL Access membership before you set off.

For more information, the SCONUL Access website has useful information about the scheme.

Join Sconul Access

To join the scheme you need to:

  • pay any fines you have

  • return any overdue items to us

  • complete the online SCONUL Access Membership form on the SCONUL Access website, ensuring you register using your Birmingham Newman email address

You will receive an email letting you know whether your application has been accepted or not.

If you plan to visit a library under the SCONUL Access scheme, you should contact them first.

Last reviewed: 8 January 2024

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