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Finance and Bank Accounts

Navigating the world of banking in the UK is an important step to financial independence. A bank account will make it easier for you to manage your finances and handle everyday expenses.

Banking in the UK

UK banks offer student-specific accounts, many of which come with great benefits such as:

  • Free railcards
  • Shopping discounts
  • Cashback offers

Find more information about setting up a student bank account on our Financial Advice page.

Visit our Financial Advice page

How to find the right bank account for you

You have two main options:

  • High street banks – offer in-person service and physical branches
  • Digital banks – provide convenient online and app-based banking

Check out these comparison sites to find the best bank account for you:

  •  
Money Saving Expert
Money Facts
Save the Student

Bank letters

To open a UK bank account, some students - especially international students - may need a letter of introduction from the University.

  • UK students: A certificate of registration (available via the Student Portal) is usually sufficient.
  • International students: You may need a bank letter. Make sure your term-time address in Newcastle is entered in full in the Student Portal, as this is used to generate the letter.
Where to get a bank letter:

From Tuesday 9 September to Friday 19 September:

  • Lindisfarne Room, Hadrian Building (building number 4 on the campus map)

From Monday 22 September onwards:

If you are not able attend in person, please submit your request to student-registration@ncl.ac.uk.

International students

Some accounts:

  • offer overdrafts which do not charge you interest
  • may offer no or cheaper rates of international transfer fees and exchange rates
  • may need a small deposit to open an account

Important: Ensure the term-time address on your application is the same as the address on documents issued by the University. Any difference might result in your application being rejected. If this happens, you can re-submit your application.

Please note:

  • it can take around 7 - 10 days for your debit/credit card to arrive
  • some banks may offer instant access to mobile banking apps
  • you can link your account to Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Wallet

We recommend reading the Save the Student's guide to the top UK bank accounts for international students.

Further reading

UCAS - Choosing a Bank Account
UKCISA - Banking for International Students
Save the Student - Best student bank accounts
Save the Student - Top UK bank accounts for international students

Student Fraud Guide

Unfortunately, some students find themselves targeted by scams and fraud. It’s important to stay vigilant and seek help if you have doubts about the authenticity of any correspondence or believe you may have been targeted by fraud.

  • Read A student guide to fraud prevention (PDF: 0.4MB) for information on common scams aimed at students, along with practical dos and don’ts to help protect yourself from fraud, phishing and card payment scams.
  • Visit the Avoiding Fraud page from our Student Financial Support team to learn more about different types of scams and how to stay safe.
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