How will I be able to open a UK bank account?

If you are an international student, you will need to have some amount of Sterling (approx. £150) in cash before you could open a UK bank account. You could also use a credit card as these are widely accepted. Travellers’ cheques are another option.

As soon as you have settled in your accommodation in Aberystwyth, we can issue you with a letter of introduction to banking facilities, that will confirm that you have or are due to register as a student of our University and provide both your home overseas address and Aberystwyth term time address. [New postgraduates: Postgraduate Admissions Office; new Undergraduates: Undergraduate Admissions Office; new English Language student: Language & Learning Centre]

Please note that the different banks that operate in Aberystwyth will offer different conditions, offers and levels of service, so please check which ones will be able to provide you with the best service to suit you. When you open your UK bank account, you will also need to take your passport, evidence of any other bank accounts including a bank statement (within 1 month) from your home country and the offer and acceptance letters from Aberystwyth University. It may take up to 2 weeks for some banks to activate your new bank account, but this can vary especially at the start of term, so please check with the different banks.

If you bank with international banks such as HSBC, contact them for further information, as they may be able to change your account, to enable you to use your existing account in the UK.