Newcomer-friendly UK account setup

Banking

Monzo, Revolut, Lloyds and more

UK Banking Guide

How to open a UK bank account as an international student

What you need to open a UK bank account

Passport or UKVI eVisa - primary ID
Proof of address - tenancy agreement, university letter, or utility bill (dated within last 3 months)
Student status letter - from your university (ask student services)
UK phone number - required by most banks (get a free SIM on arrival)
Proof of enrollment - CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) or offer letter

Note: Most banks accept your passport and UKVI eVisa as primary ID. If you have an older physical BRP card, check with your bank first because some may still accept it.

How to open your account

  1. 1Get a UK phone number (free SIM: giffgaff, Lebara, or Lycamobile)
  2. 2Gather your documents (passport, UKVI eVisa, proof of address, student letter)
  3. 3Apply online or visit a branch - Monzo and Starling are fully digital and fastest
  4. 4Wait for your sort code and account number (usually 1-5 working days)
  5. 5Receive your debit card by post (3-7 working days)
  6. 6Activate your card and set up mobile banking app
  7. 7Set up Direct Debits for rent, phone, and essentials

Recommended UK banks

R

Revolut

*****
Visit

Digital bank/app - good for currency exchange and travel

Good for: Currency exchange, travel, spending management
M

Monzo

*****
Visit

Digital bank - easy to open, great app, no branch needed

Good for: Quick setup, international students, mobile-first
L

Lloyds Bank

*****
Visit

Traditional high-street bank - widely available

Good for: Branches, student accounts, cash deposits
S

Starling Bank

*****
Visit

Digital bank - fee-free worldwide spending, full UK account

Good for: Travel cards, money management, international transfers
B

Barclays

*****
Visit

Traditional bank with strong student account offering

Good for: Student account with overdraft, branches
H

HSBC UK

*****
Visit

Large traditional bank with international reach

Good for: International students, global transfers
S

Santander

*****
Visit

Popular with students - 123 Student Account

Good for: Cashback, UK-wide branches
N

NatWest

*****
Visit

Part of RBS group - strong student account

Good for: Student incentives, app, branch network

Get a free UK SIM card first

Most UK banks require a UK phone number to open an account. Get a free PAYG SIM card at the airport or any convenience store immediately on arrival.

giffgaff

Free SIM, uses O2 network

Lebara

Free SIM, good international calls

Lycamobile

Free SIM, very cheap abroad

Sending money to the UK?

For international transfers from home, avoid high street bank fees where possible and compare specialist services first.

Wise

~0.5% mid-market rate

Revolut

Fee-free up to limit

Monzo

Fee-free for up to £500/month abroad

Student overdrafts

Most UK student bank accounts offer an interest-free overdraft - money you can borrow up to a limit without paying interest.

Overdrafts are not free money - you must pay them back

Most banks offer £1,000-£2,000 interest-free overdraft for students

Only use an overdraft in genuine emergencies

Going overdrawn without arranging it first incurs fees and interest

Never exceed your arranged overdraft limit

Banking scam warning

Scammers specifically target international students with fake bank account scams. Your bank will never ask you to move money to a safe account or ask for your full password or PIN over the phone.

If in doubt, hang up and call your bank's official number from the back of your card or official website.

Official sources

GOV.UK: Set up a UK bank account · UK Finance · Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)

Disclaimer

This page provides general guidance only and does not constitute financial advice. Budget figures are illustrative. Consult a qualified financial adviser for personal financial planning.