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Opening a UK Bank Account
The following leaflet has been developed by the British Banking Association and is aimed at International Students.
It tells you everything that you need to know about opening a bank account in the UK.
Opening a UK Bank Account
Digital Banks
Digital banks have become increasingly more popular with both local and international students. These banks do not have branches and are entirely ‘app-based’ but offer a range of useful services. A digital bank may help you to manage and use your money before you open a traditional bank account.
Digital banks are good for day to day payments and funds from international bank accounts.
Some of the main digital-only services are outlined below:
-
Paypal
With PayPal you can send, spend and manage your money with just one account:
- Monzo
Spend, save and manage your money, all in one place. Open a full UK bank account from your phone, for free:
- Revolut
Manage your everyday spending, transfer money abroad, spend easily in the local currency, and more:
- Monese
An account you can open instantly and use on your mobile. Launched in September 2015 as the UK’s first mobile app alternative to the banks:
- Starling
Get more from your money with Starling’s award-winning, app-based current account. Enjoy no monthly fees and apply in minutes from your phone.
Local Banks
Please note that Queen’s does not recommend or endorse any digital or high street banking service. It is extremely important for you to read the terms and conditions of a banking provider before you open an account. Please also note that these services may charge you for withdrawing cash, exceeding a spending limit or going overdrawn.
Once you have decided which bank is right for you, you will need confirmation that you are a registered student. This letter can be requested from Student Registry Services:
Please see below for the details of local banks within close proximity of the University:
-
Santander
6 Royal Avenue
Belfast
BT1 1DA
Tel: 0800 912 3123
- Ulster Bank
91-93 University Road
Belfast
BT7 1NG
Tel: 0345 948 2222 - HSBC
25-29 Royal Avenue
Belfast
BT1 1FB
Tel: 0345 740 4404
International students (existing and non-HSBC Group customers) may apply to open a HSBC UK International Student Account before arriving in the UK, from the following countries:
- Australia
- Bahrain
- Bangladesh
- Bermuda
- Canada
- Egypt
- India
- Indonesia
- Malaysia
- Mauritius
- Oman
- Philippines
- Qatar
- Singapore
- Sri Lanka
- Taiwan
- Turkey
- UAE
- USA
- Vietnam
Students should apply via from their home country.
Existing HSBC Group customers in China and Hong Kong can also open their UK account from home.
Hong Kong customers via HK Online Banking.
China customers via HSBC CN WeChat.
- AIB (formerly First Trust)
35 University Road
Belfast
BT7 1NH
Tel: 0345 600 5925 - The Post Office
Banking services can be done at any post office (to avoid having to go directly to the bank) which includes money exchanges. Find out more about the services offered at the
Save the Student
Budgeting and Banking
Founded in 2007, Save the Student has become the number one student money website in the UK.
Save the Student provides free, impartial advice to students on how to make your money go further and contains some great budgeting and banking resources.
Some of the great resources contained on this site: