When you arrive in England, please make sure that you have enough currency or travellers' cheques to pay for all your needs for about a month. This should ensure that you avoid anxieties waiting for money transfers from your own country.
Opening a bank account
There are many banks in the UK, and they all offer different arrangements and levels of service. When choosing a bank, you need to consider the following:
- The services the bank will offer you, and what charges it will make
- Finding a branch near where you study and live
- What arrangements there are for transferring money from your home country, and the costs involved
- What documents are required by the bank in order to open a bank account. (Most UK banks will ask to see your passport, a letter from your college confirming that you are a student, and a document confirming your address in the UK. The bank may also require information about your bank account in your home country.
It can take 10-15 days before your new bank account is fully operational, and before you get a printed cheque book, cash card and PIN (personal identification number: you will need this to take money from your bank's ATM/cash machine and to use debit card services in shops).
Here are details of some of our local bank branches who operate student bank accounts:
Natwest Bank, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds
Tel: 0870 240 33 66
Royal Bank of Scotland, 27 Park Row, Leeds
Tel: 0113 245 1815
High-street banks are usually open from 9.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday - some are also open on Saturday mornings.
Once you have opened an account, you should request monthly statements, as these will be required in future to support applications to the Home Office for an extension of stay in the UK.
Transferring money
The easiest way to send money is by electronic funds transfer from a bank in your home country, directly into your UK account. To do this, the bank in your home country will need:
- Your UK bank's name and full address
- Your name as given on your UK bank account
- Your UK bank account number and sort code
If you are transferring money to the UK by a banker's draft, it is strongly recommended that it is made out in £ Sterling. A draft in another country's currency can take 3-4 weeks to clear into your bank account.
Problems with money
International students may not claim social security benefits in the UK, and you must be able to prove that you can support yourself during your stay. If you do fall into financial difficulties, please contact the Student Advice Team [link] to find out if you are eligible for any financial help.
Unfortunately, Leeds College of Art does not offer scholarship support. Please visit the UKCOSA website for information on sources of funding.