Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS)

Yes, if this was specified in your offer as a requirement for your course.

We may be able to use an existing DBS Certificate that meets our requirements if you are registered with the DBS Update Service.  Please see our webpages here for more information on how to do this: Update Service.

We will contact all firm offer holders approximately 3 months before the course start date to begin the DBS application process.  Please bear in mind that you must apply for your DBS check via the University of Cumbria, not another organisation.

You will receive an email invitation from us containing a link to the online DBS application portal.  Please Note: The email address will be dbs@cumbria.disclosures.co.uk

It is important to monitor your spam/trash during the DBS application process as your IT system set up may divert the emails to these folders. 

Your DBS application cannot be submitted to the DBS for processing until we have confirmed your Right to Work in the UK.  For further advice and guidance please see our ‘Right to Work for DBS’

You will need:

• Access to a PC/Mac/laptop, to log into your online DBS application.
• Access to a smartphone, to complete the Digital ID check portion of the DBS application.
• A minimum of three ID documents, as you may need to input details from these. Please note that all documents must be in your full current legal name.  Please see Providing ID Documents for more information. 
• Your address history for the past 5 years (including term-time or other temporary addresses). This must include all UK and overseas addresses within the last 5 years in their address history.
• Your National Insurance number (UK only).
• A credit or debit card for making the online payment of the DBS application fee, where applicable. If it is not possible for you to pay at the time of submitting your application, please proceed with the online application and contact the DBS Team for an alternative payment method. 

Yes, unless you are doing a professional Health course that used to be eligible for NHS-funding.  Please note that the following Health programmes will be liable for the DBS fee: BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science, MSc Physiotherapy, MSc Midwifery, MSc Nursing and MA/BA Social Work.

The University of Cumbria DBS fee for 2025/6 is £69.50 and you can pay this online at the time of submitting your application.

When you first log into the DBS application, you will be asked a series of questions to determine if you are eligible for the Digital ID check.  If you hold an in-date and valid Passport in your full current legal name, and have a UK address, you should be eligible to complete the Digital ID check.

If you are eligible for a Digital ID check, a QR code will be displayed, and you should scan this screen using the camera on your mobile phone.  This will take you to your App Store / Google Play Store and you can download the Atlantic Data Digital ID app. If you are using the app for the first time you will need to complete a simple registration process i.e., confirm your mobile phone number, create a passcode to login and take a photo of yourself as part of a liveness check. You should then follow the directions on screen to complete the Digital ID check.

We strongly recommend that you complete a Digital ID Check, where possible. If you are not able to complete a Digital ID check, you will need to complete your DBS ID check differently according to your Nationality and where you live. Please see Providing ID Documents for more information.

Yes. You must complete the online DBS application and have your ID documents verified as soon as possible because the DBS process can take several months to be completed. 

If the DBS result is not received by the time you start course, you will still be able to register on course, but your registration status will be affected by any outstanding admissions conditions.  Please note that this will prevent the release of your student loan.  You may also not be able to start placement if your DBS result is outstanding.

The University of Cumbria will receive a digital confirmation of your DBS check result. The DBS Certificate is posted to you by the Disclosure and Barring Service, it does not come via or from the University of Cumbria, and it will be sent to the current address listed on your DBS application.  Please look out for this arriving in the post. 

Once you have received your DBS certificate, please keep your DBS certificate safe! You may be asked to provide it when on placement.  

If you wish you can also join the DBS Update Service once you have received your physical DBS Certificate.  You have 30 calendar days to register with the DBS Update Service, with the issue date of the DBS Certificate being the 1st calendar day. 

For further advice and guidance please see our Update Service webpage.