Think about how you are going to get your money to the UK, having a member of your family transfer your funds to your UK bank account once it is opened is probably the safest method.
You will need to bring sufficient funds to pay your initial accommodation instalment, buy food and general expenses until your UK bank account is set up (which may take 2 to 3 weeks). It is not advisable to bring large sums of cash, instead bring traveller's cheques and only a small amount of cash.
Opening a bank account in the UK can be a difficult, time consuming and frustrating process due to strict UKbanking regulations and stringent identity and credit checks.
In order to make the process of opening a bank account easier you should:
Check if your home bank has a partner bank in Glasgow . If so, you should be able to open a bank account with them with relative ease.
If you do not wish to open an account but wish to use your home bank account using your debit card, you may be able to use this partner bank to access your home bank account without incurring heavy bank charges.
If your home bank does not have a partner bank in Glasgowdo not worry. There are many banks in Glasgow for you to choose from. You should visit several to find out which one offers you the best service.
It should be noted that you should not register for online/paper-free banking as official bank statements are required for visa extension purposes and ordering replacement statements can take around 2 weeks.
Introductory letter which will help you open a bank account
As part of the University's registration procedure you will be asked to pay some or all of your tuition fees before you receive your student matriculation/ID card.
If you need to open a bank account please tell the member of staff who prepares your ID card for you. They will give you an information leaflet that will guide you through the process of how to apply for a bank letter using the University's IT system. You can input your request for a letter the day after you register for classes. Your letter will be produced by the Student Business Team on Level 1 - McCance Building, 16 Richmond St (No 1 on the Campus map) within 2 days of submitting your request. Then, all you have to do is go and collect it there.
The University's bank letter will give you a list of banks in the centre of Glasgow that have agreed to open a bank account for international students when presented with the bank letter along with:
- your passport
- your accommodation contract - this must have a) your name on it and b) your address in Glasgow.
Note: if you will be living in University accommodation, the Village Office (number 25 on the Campus map) or the office in Block B Andrew Ure Hall, postgraduate Hall of Residence (number 29 on the Campus map) will write your full postal address on your pink accommodation contract and will stamp it with the University stamp, before you go to a bank.
- the University's Offer of Study Letter which shows your home (overseas) address.
Barclays Bank will want you to provide proof of where you have been living for the three years prior to coming to Glasgow.
The majority of banks will give an international student only a basic bank account. However some banks will give you a debit card, so be prepared to shop around to find the bank which most suits your needs.
Be patient! There will be thousands of other home and international students trying to open bank accounts at the same time so the processing of new accounts takes slightly longer at the start of the academic year.