Bank Account

If you are staying in the UK for any length of time, we recommend you open a bank account. It is now relatively difficult for overseas students to open bank accounts here due to new bank regulations, but with the right documents and the special agreement with prominent UK banks, it is still possible to open bank accounts for our students.

Below are some of the main banks in UK:

Barclays Bank HSBC Bank Lloyds TSB Bank NatWest Bank Abbey National Halifax City Bank Nationwide

How to Open a Bank Account

The easiest way to open a bank account is if you already have one in your own country. If you do, please bring a letter of introduction from them, preferably translated into English. It should also state how much money you have in this account. You should then present this letter here at the bank of your choice. It is also very useful if you could bring your last few bank statements with you, if the banks in your country have the same system as in the UK.

Other Documents

If you do not have a bank account in your own country it is more difficult to open one here, but this can be done at some banks if you are able to present other documents. Branches vary and you may have to try a few. With or without a bank account in your own country, we would advise you to take the following with you to open an account here:

Passport

Police registration document

Gas or electricity bill showing your address in the UK

Driving licence

Letter from School showing your period of study

Any other documentation showing your picture and signature