Opening a bank account

If you are new to the UK, setting up a bank account can take several weeks, so it is essential to arrange access to money for the period after your arrival.

  • For your personal safety, do not travel with more than £250 in cash.
  • Bring extra funds on a credit card or in GBP Sterling travellers cheques.
  • If you are living in private accommodation, you will need to bring enough money for the deposit and at least two months’ rent.

Choosing an account

You can choose to open an account with any bank. Banks offer different features with their accounts, and you may not have access to credit or overdraft facilities. Banks may also charge a monthly fee for some accounts. 

For help choosing the right account for you, see the UKCISA guide to opening a UK bank account.

Opening the account

To open the account you will usually need to visit the bank you have chosen to show them all the documents they ask for. With some banks, you can start the process of opening an account before you arrive in the UK, especially if the bank in your home country has links with UK banks.

Document checklist

To open a UK bank account, the bank will usually ask to see documents that confirm some or all of the following details:

  • Your identity (passport or identity card)
  • Proof of student status (University Certificate of Status letter)
  • Proof of your UK address (University Certificate of Status letter or tenancy agreement)
  • A statement from your bank from your home country
  • Proof of your overseas address (University Certificate of Status letter)

How to request a University Certificate of Status for the bank

To open an account you will need a letter from the university confirming you are a student on a University of Brighton course. You can get this letter from the Academic Services department at your site of study or request it by sending an email to studentadministration@brighton.ac.uk.

Before you can request this letter from the university, you must:

  • Identify which bank you want to open an account with and at which branch your account will be.
  • Enter your term-time (Brighton) address on the 'Personal Page' of StudentCentral. Click on the link 'Change your term-time address'.

We will need this information before we can issue you with the letter.