The Student Room Group

Suitable UK Banks for International Students

Hey, I'll be studying Medicine in London this October, and am an international student.

I am planning to set up a bank account in the UK, but have realized that the usually wide options available for students in UK banks are very limited for international students (e.g. no credit cards, only debit).

And as this is the first time I am ever setting up a bank account, I generally have no idea whatsoever. But I do shop often through the internet, so I'm generally looking for widely accepted card types such as Master Card or Visa.

Can anyone recommend me some good banks very suitable for int. students which give them widely accepted card types such as the above?
If the bank will give you a debit card, you can presume that it will be accepted everywhere.
Reply 2
There are many tailor made bank accounts these days for international students...

Please be aware that opening a bank account in the UK can be extremely difficult. For students studying in the UK for less than 12 months, you may not be able to open an account at all, but seeing as you will be doing medicine I'd first recommend that you seek advice from your own bank before coming to the UK, see if it has any links with British banks which could help you to transfer funds etc faster before you arrive.

The best thing to do is to ring all of the major banks up seperately (or email them) and ask what they offer to ensure you get the best account.

The best bank I know for international student is natwest which has a tailor made one

http://www.natwest.com/personal/current-accounts/g1/students-graduates/international-students.ashx

Again though, dont take this as the only option. I'm a home student so am not really experienced but it is an option and is specially for students.

Most banks offer accounts for international or overseas citizens but you will probably not get the benefits offered to home students (such as an interest free overdraft etc)

Hope this can help a little....
Reply 3
no.. natwest is not the best as u need to pay on a monthly basis.. go for lloyds.. just open their classic account.. u'll get a cheque book, a visa debit card n visa credit card. n u can use this card everywhere :smile:
smileybee
no.. natwest is not the best as u need to pay on a monthly basis.. go for lloyds.. just open their classic account.. u'll get a cheque book, a visa debit card n visa credit card. n u can use this card everywhere :smile:


Please can you confirm that you are an international student and what identification you had to provide to get the account. I have read your other thread extoling the virtues of the Lloyds International Student account. Have you got an internet link for the account that is best for International Students at Lloyds? Thanks:wink:
Reply 5
natweststaffmember
Please can you confirm that you are an international student and what identification you had to provide to get the account. I have read your other thread extoling the virtues of the Lloyds International Student account. Have you got an internet link for the account that is best for International Students at Lloyds? Thanks:wink:


You just need a uni letter, proof of address i.e ur bills and a passport to open the classic account in lloyds if you are an international student.
I'm sorry if I have offended u since u are a natwest supporter. I don't think Lloyds has an international student account.
Reply 6
Is your father a HSBC Premier Account holder in your home country? If yes, you can also open a joint UK HSBC Premier Account with your father for free. Otherwise, it will cost you GBP25 a month.
Reply 7
I did some more research and found that for international students at least, Lloyds TSB had the best offer. some banks, like Barclays or Natwest have accounts specifically made for international students, but you have to pay a monthly fee. There are no other banks to my knowledge which offer "student" accounts to international students, as you almost always have to have been 3yrs resident in the UK to be eligible. But in Lloyds TSB, you get, like some other person said before, a visa debit card which is like accepted pretty much anywhere, be it shops or internet, and you dont have to pay a monthly fee. Its not a "student account" you can open at Lloyds, but still a very good offer for int. students I think.
Reply 8
I was informed by RBS that they allow International student to open an student account. Only condition is, the 1st bank draft deposited be GBP5000 but do not have to maintain that amount afterward.
Reply 9
Natwest do not charge, and all you need to provide is your passport and a letter Fromm the uni confirming your address and course details.