New edition · 20 September 2026 · IMS Hub Editorial
A university affiliation is most useful when you understand what it represents. In Connect, an academic-status badge gives context about an institution and a stage of study supported by evidence reviewed by IMS. It can help you read a profile more accurately and find a sensible starting point for an introduction.
The badge is specific to that academic relationship. It does not turn the profile into an official university account, endorse everything in a bio or establish that the person is on campus. Read the status alongside the person’s own description of their interests.
Look at the academic status behind the badge
The current profile badge can show four statuses: Current student, Incoming student, Graduate and Former student. Press the badge to see the status label. Each describes a different relationship with the displayed institution.
Current student means IMS approved current-enrollment evidence. Incoming student refers to approved evidence for an upcoming enrollment. Graduate refers to approved evidence of graduation, while former student refers to evidence of previous attendance.
These distinctions can improve a conversation. For example, someone preparing for a first term might welcome another incoming student’s perspective, while a person reflecting on a course might be interested in a graduate’s experience. Neither status guarantees that the person can answer a particular question or wants to provide advice.
Academic evidence is optional at initial Connect setup. A profile without a displayed affiliation may simply not have submitted evidence or may have chosen not to show it. The badge should help you interpret available context rather than fill gaps with assumptions.
Submit evidence that matches your own status
To add your affiliation, open your Connect profile’s edit menu and choose Profile, identity & discovery. Under University status, enter the institution’s official English name and select the status that fits your circumstances.
The evidence choices depend on that status. Current students can use a student ID, enrollment letter or transcript; incoming students can use an admission or enrollment letter. Graduates can use a degree certificate or transcript, and former students can use a transcript or student ID. The form also asks for the relevant start and completion or leaving dates.
Use a readable JPG or PNG of the document and check that its details support the information you entered. Then choose Submit academic evidence. If IMS asks for more information or a correction, review the note shown in the form and address that specific issue before resubmitting. Submission itself does not equal approval.
Choose how the approved affiliation is used
Show institution on my profile controls the displayed institution and associated approved status. Include my university community is a separate preference for discovery among eligible, opted-in people with an approved affiliation to that institution.
The supporting document and exact dates are not displayed on your public Connect profile. Other students receive the approved context you choose to show, rather than a copy of your evidence. Account-details confirmation and academic-evidence review also remain different parts of setup; an academic badge is not a universal identity check.
Decide which use helps your own Connect experience. Someone may want university context visible on the profile, while another may wish to review community participation separately. Read each switch before changing it.
Keep the status accurate when your circumstances change
An approved timeline can reach a checkpoint, such as the expected start of studies or expected completion. Connect may then ask you to Update study status before continuing. Follow the requested update and provide evidence for the actual outcome.
Use Add or update university for a change of institution or status. New information requires review, and university-community matching can pause while an update is being assessed. Treat the status as information to maintain over time.
Explore IMS Hub on mobile to review your own academic affiliation or read the context behind another person’s profile badge.
