Get a Bank Account in the UK

How do I open a Bank Account in the UK?

Before visiting the bank, it’s better to spend some time to find what type of documents you will need to provide. You can begin the process of opening an account online because in this way way you’ll know what documents you need to take with you when you finally need to go into your local branch. You can start your research by checking the bank accounts below:

Banks	Basic Accounts	Current Accounts	Student Accounts
Bank of Ireland	Basic Cash Account	Clear Current Account	Graduate Current Account
Bank of Scotland	Classic Account	Silver Account	Student Account
Barclays	Card Cash Account	Current Account Plus	Student Accounts
Citi	Citibank Plus	Citigold Current Account	N/A
Halifax	Easycash	Current Account	Student Current Account
HSBC	Basic Bank Account	HSBC Passport	Student Bank Account
Lloyds TSB	Classic Account	Silver Account	Student Account
Natwest	Basic Account	Select Account	Student Account
Royal Bank of Scotland	Select Account	Royalties Gold	Student Current Account
Santader	123 Current Account	Everyday Current Account	Student Current Account
Ulster Bank	Step Account	Standard Current Account	Student Account

Here’s a nice little link to help you compare all those big bad banks offering different current accounts

How to open a student bank account in London?

Get the special student account treatment by providing the documents below. However, be sure to ask your bank if there’s anything else they require.

• Passport and a valid visa / EU citizens can use their National Identity Card
• Acceptance letter from the UK University (It should be an unconditional offer of a place on your course)
• Proof of UK and home address.

A wee note for students: the process of opening a bank account should take around two weeks and most universities will require you to have one before registering for you course (unless of course you’re lucky enough to have a bankers draft for the full whopping lot of your fees) so come on over a little early to give you time to get set up, settle in and get used to shoving your face into a strangers armpit on the tube!

Basic bank accounts are available to the world and his mother, you don’t have to be on the electoral role or anything, useful if you’ve just moved as they do enable you to pay bills by direct debit and heaps of gas and electricity companies offer great little discounts if you pay by DD.

Visit BBA’s website to find some really useful information.