Opening a UK bank account
How to open a bank account in the UK, including how to request proof of your student status.
Local banks
Banks on campus
There are two banks on campus – Barclays and Santander.
Banks in the city centre
There are several banks in the city of Bath.
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.
What to take to the bank
When you go to the bank to open your account, you need to take:
- your passport and visa
- a letter from the University with your UK and overseas addresses on it (please note the Santander branch on campus does not require a letter UNLESS you are under 18. You can just show your library card).
How to get a letter of proof of student status
If you want to open a bank account, you 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.
You can collect the letter from the Student Services Centre, 4 West.