Get a Bank Account in the UK - Broke in London


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.







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