Choosing a bank
You can visit the banks in person, find out information on their websites or compare bank accounts at MoneySuperMarket.
Check the terms and conditions of an account carefully (for example, if there are any monthly costs).
Please note that it is often only possible to open a basic bank account (current and savings accounts) in the UK. You can check the Money Advice Service for information about different types of accounts.
If you are under 18 you may not be able to have a student account, however, you should still be able to open a UK bank account. Different banks can give you information on their accounts for under 18s.
Banks in the city centre
There are several banks in the city of Bath.
Digital banks
Recently many digital banks have become available. These allow you to have online banking and a contactless bank card quickly after you open your account online. Even if this is not a good solution for you in the long term, it may be useful to use such an account in the first few weeks after first arriving to avoid carrying lots of cash. Remember that these tend to be online or telephone services only, so you wouldn't have a local branch to go to or deposit cash into the account.
The University does not recommend any one account or provider. However, you may find it helpful to look at an independent comparison website. Before choosing an account, please check the terms and conditions carefully to ensure that it can meet your needs and that the provider is regulated by a recognised financial regulatory body (e.g. the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK). If you are concerned about how the banks in your country perceive digital banks as affecting your credit score, check with them before opening an account.
Opening your account
Please check on the banks website what documents you will need to open your account. You may be able to open your bank account on-line rather than needing to visit a bank in person. Please check the requirements for your specific bank before you visit.
Documents that banks may need to open your account include:
- your passport and visa
- a letter from the University with your UK and overseas addresses on it
How to get a letter of proof of student status
If you want to open a bank account, you may need a letter to prove you are a student.
You need to follow these steps to get a letter:
- Go to Registration Online to complete all parts of the registration.
- Request a bank letter by clicking 'to whom letter request'.
- Select 'to a bank or building society'.
- Enter the name of the bank you wish to open the account with.