Studying in the UK is expensive for both domestic and international students, so it is important that you choose a good student bank account that can help you to maximise your money.
Most major banks (and some online banks) will offer a specific student bank account that will come with perks that will help you to budget and manage your money.
1. Choose a bank
There are many banks in the UK, so the best way to narrow it down is to look at what the different banks are offering students (see our handy table, below).
The other thing that is always worth looking at is which bank is available in your university campus or in your university town. That way if you run into any issues with your account, you won'y have to go far to get it sorted.
One of the biggest ways that can help you differentiate between banks is how much interest free overdraft the bank is offering. This is something that is unique to student bank accounts. It essentially means that the overdraft limit is the maximum you can spend outside of your own money, without paying interest.
In many cases international students may not be eligible for an overdraft or may only be able to secure a small overdraft, but this is always worth discussing with your bank and exploring what your options are.
Another important factor for international students to take into account is the international transfer fees.
Some banks will also charge for paper statements, so make sure you are aware of this cost when applying for your account.
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2. Choose an account
There are two different types of bank accounts in the UK: a current account and a savings account.
Current account: a current account allows you to deposit and withdraw money as often as you like. Usually when you open a current account you receive a chequebook and a debit card. Most international students will only need to open a current account when studying in the UK.
Savings accounts: a savings account is a place to collect money over a longer term. Some students may consider opening one of these, if they are working or want to save money for travel or emergencies.
3. Breakdown of bank accounts
There are many banks across the UK, so it is worth doing some of your own research into the most suitable bank account for you. Here at THE Student, I've had a look around some of the major banks to see what they are offering students.
| Bank | Account name | 0 per cent overdraft | For international students | Extras |
| HSBC | HSBC Student Bank Account | up to £1,000 (going up to £2,000 in Year 2 and £3,000 in Year 3). | £4 to transfer money abroad, (free for EU students) fee of 2.75 per cent on any transactions abroad | Mobile banking, guides to help manage your finances, theft and fraud protection |
| Barclays | Barclays Student Additions | up to £1,000 (going up to £2,000 in Year 2 and £3,000 in Year 3). | Free transfers | 12 month free subscription to Perlego (online learning library), customisable debit card, cashback on certain purchases |
| Lloyds | Lloyds Student Account | up to £1,500 (international students who have lived in the UK for less than three years are not eligible for an overdraft) | £9.50 to transfer money abroad (free for EU students) | Free TOTUM card for discounts, mobile banking, cashback with certain purchases, purchases rounded up to nearest pound and transferred to savings account |
| Natwest | Natwest Student Account or International Student bank account | up to £2,000 | Same bank account but with a £10 monthly fee. Must have been living in the UK for last than three years, free international transfers | Free Tastecard or Amazon Prime Student Membership or National Express Coachcard, mobile banking |
| Santander | Santander 123 Student Account | Up to £1,500 | £25 to transfer money abroad (free for EU students) Free to receive | Free four-year 16-25 railcard, cashback at major retailers, 123 world offers, cashback of up to 15 per cent at major retailers, paper free |
| Nationwide | Nationwide FlexStudent | up to £1,000 (going up to £2,000 in Year 2 and £3,000 in Year 3). | £20 to transfer money abroad (free for EU students). Free to receive. | One per cent interest on balances up to £1,000, mobile banking |
| RBS | RBS Student Account | Up to £2,000 | Same account with £10 monthly fee | Free Tastecard or Amazon Prime Student Membership or National Express Coachcard, mobile banking |
| Halifax | Halifax Student Current Account | Up to £1,500 | 0.10 per cent credit interest on any balance, mobile banking | |
| TSB | TSB Student Account | Up to £1,500 | Five per cent interest up to £500 balance |
There are also banks that offer online banks accounts (not necessarily student specific) such as Monzo, Revolut or Starling, which are quite good at helping you to track spending and set budgets.
4. How to open a bank account
Although it is possible to open a bank account over the phone or online, if you are an international student it might be easier to open your account in person in case there are any complications. When you go to the bank to open your account you will need:
- Your full name, home address, home telephone number, your campus telephone number and your college address
- Your passport
- Any secondary form of identification (such as your student ID card, birth certificate, driver’s license, or a letter from the international students and scholars office at your university)
- A letter of acceptance from your university
- An amount of money to deposit into the account (this will vary between banks)
These requirements may be slightly different across banks, so make sure you check what your bank requires before heading over.
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