Opening a bank account
Opening a bank account is easy
As a student, it is worth having a student bank account if you can. There are many positives; some banks provide a free overdraft for emergencies and you can easily transfer money to accounts. Every bank will offer something different, so make sure you do your research. Go into multiple banks to get the information to make an informed decision.
Banks will often require a student status letter, you can get one of these from us once you have fully enrolled and received your timetable.
Cambridge Banks
| Bank | Address |
|---|---|
| Barclays | 9 St. Andrews Street, CB2 3AA | 35 Sidney Street, CB2 3HY |
| HSBC | 63 St. Andrews Street, CB2 3BZ |
| Lloyds | 3 Sidney Street, CB2 3BZ | 78 – 80 Cherry Hinton Road, CB1 7BH |
| Natwest | 36 Fitzroy Street, CB1 1EW | 56 St. Andrews Street, CB2 3DA |
| TSB | 6 St. Andrews Street, CB2 3AX |
| Santander | 60 St. Andrews Street, CB2 3AZ |
| Nationwide | 26 – 27 Petty Cury, CB2 3ND |
| Royal Bank of Scotland | 28 Trinity Street, CB1 1EW |
Chelmsford Banks
| Bank | Address |
|---|---|
| Barclays | 40 – 41 High Street, CM1 1BE |
| Halifax | 21 – 22 High Street, CM1 1BE |
| HSBC | 99 High Street, CM1 1EQ |
| Lloyds | 77 – 81 High Street, CM1 1DU |
| Metro | 38 Higher Street, CM1 1BE |
| Natwest | 4 – 5 High Street, CM1 1FZ |
| Royal Bank of Scotland | 26 High Street, CM1 1YJ |
| Santander | 90 High Street, CM1 1DY |
| TSB | 88 – 89 High Street, CM1 1DX |
| Virgin | 83 High Street, CM1 1DX |
Payment methods
Travellers checks are a good alternative to carrying cash as they can be converted into cash when you need it. Unlike a personal cheque, you do not need to have a UK bank account to use them. If you lose them or they are stolen, you can apply to have them replaced. You should normally try to get Sterling (GBP)-based travellers’ cheques as these are the easiest to cash. If you bring travellers’ cheques in any other currency most, banks and the bureau de change will impose a charge for converting them to GBP. GBP travellers’ cheques may be used to pay for purchases in larger shops in major towns and cities, but not all shops will accept them. Make sure you keep details of your travellers’ cheques and your passport separate.
Credit Cards can be used for payment of tuition fees and accommodation charges. Make sure that your credit limit is sufficient to allow you to make large payments in the UK. Check with your bank or credit provider before you leave home. You should also make sure that you give someone at home authority to pay money into your credit card account while you are in the UK, in the case of emergency.
Debit Cards (Maestro, Visa or Cirrus) can be used to pay your tuition fees and accommodation charges (there is no handling charge for payment by debit card), as well as for shopping and other expenses. Make sure you have sufficient money in your account to allow you to make this payment. Check with your bank before you leave home. Similarly to your credit card, you should also make sure that you give someone at home authority to pay money into your bank account while you are in the UK, in the case of emergency.