If you are going to be in the UK for more than six months it is useful for you to have a bank account here. Some students do manage with accounts overseas and use credit cards and debit cards as a means of payment and accessing money. If you are able to do your banking on line and use the cash machines in the UK with your card from home then maybe it is not so important to have a new account here. If you decide to open a bank account then we will help you when you first arrive in the UK .
How to open a bank account
Opening a student bank account is very simple. You will need to give the bank a letter from the University confirming your place on your course, your address in Plymouth and your address in your home country (this must be a street address, the bank will not accept PO Box addresses). You will also need to let them see your passport. Your first meeting with the bank will take about one hour. At the end of this meeting your account will be active. If you are going to have a card and a cheque book these usually take about one week to produce and you will have to return to the bank to collect them.
There are lots of things to think about before you open the account, for example if there are any links between your bank at home and the bank in the UK. Have a look at the Education UK Website on "Money Matters" before you make any decisions.
If you have any concerns about this we will be happy to assist you.
