At the city centre, a range of banks in the main street and it is up to you which one you decide to bank with, there are very few differences between them.
The main banks in the UK are HSBC, Barclays, Lloyds, National Westminster, Halifax and Abbey National. Student services will be happy to give you advice on the various services the banks have to offer. All banks offer free services to students in the UK. You should ask your bank at home about the arrangements for transferring money to the UK.
It is not possible to open a bank account before you come to the UK, so you must make sure that you bring enough currency with you to get you from the airport to the Institute and to see you through the first day or two. Travellers' cheques are the safest form of travelling with money and we recommend that you bring around £200.00 when you arrive.
If you have an internationally recognised credit card such as Visa, American Express or MasterCard, then this will be very useful. Credit cards can often be used in public telephones for making long distance calls and you can get 24-hour cash withdrawals in almost any high street in the UK.
Most students open a bank account upon arrival at Birmingham. The process of opening an account will take a few days. It is usually necessary to register, pay your fees and have your accommodation, before you are able to open a bank account.
Cheque Book: Cheques allow you to pay for goods and services without having to use cash. You can also take money out of your account using a cheque. When you open your account ask the bank to show you how cheques should be completed as this may differ from your home country. When you have used most of the cheques in your cheque book, your bank should automatically send you a new one.
Cheque guarantee card: When you pay for goods and services by writing a cheque, you must normally show a cheque guarantee card. This is a plastic card which guarantees that your bank will pay the money written on the cheque. The card will normally only guarantee cheques up to a fixed amount. The fixed amount is printed on the card.
Debit Card: This is a plastic card which allows you to spend money from your account without having to use cash or write a cheque. Not all shops accept all types of debit cards, so check before making a purchase that yours will be accepted. Some shops allow you to get cash using your debit card when you make your purchase; this is known as 'cashback'. (In most cases bank do not provide this service for international students).
Cash card: This is a plastic card which allows you to take money out of your account using a bank machine (also referred to as a cash machine, cashpoint, autobank or ATM). You will be given a Personal Identification Number (PIN) so that you can use the card. Make sure you memorise the number, destroy any written record of it, and don't let anyone else know it. You can usually use your cash card at several different banks, but in some cases there may be a charge. Check with your bank for details.
Bank Statement: This is a record of all the transactions on your bank account over a specific period of time. It will be sent to you regularly. You should read each bank statement that you receive to check that all your transactions have been recorded accurately, and to help you manage your money. You should keep all of your bank statements, as you will have to send the most recent ones to the Home Office if you extend your permission to remain in the UK.
Internet Banking: Some of banking allow internet banking facilities to their customers. To get this service, you have to request to your individual bank for more information.
To open a bank account, most banks will require the following documentation:
- Your valid passport.
- Your letter of acceptance or Certificate of Registration from the College.
- Proof of an overseas address.
- Proof of a UK address (eg an accommodation agreement).
- It is useful, but not always necessary, to bring a letter of introduction from your bank account at home, as well as your three most recent bank statements.
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