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Information on the different types of high street banks and their requirements.
Some of the main high street banks in the UK are Barclays, HSBC, Halifax, Lloyds, Metro Bank, NatWest, Santander, Co-operative Bank and Nationwide. These banks normally open accounts for international students if the appropriate documentation is provided and meets their requirements.
All banks will normally offer you a basic current account to begin with and may offer you further services after you have banked with them for some time. The basic current accounts will allow you to withdraw cash for free from most cash machines, set up a direct debit payment, and use online and telephone banking.
Many high street banks fund fossil fuel companies, contributing to the climate crisis. If this is important to you, websites such as Mother Tree and Which? rank the major banks on their climate impact. Of the banks listed below, Nationwide, The Co-operative Bank, and Metro Bank do not invest in fossil fuels.
Information about high street banks
UCL does not endorse any particular bank but if you wish to consider opening a bank account with one of the banks mentioned, below is some information about the accounts offered and documentation required.
The information provided is correct to the best of our knowledge but may be subject to change. Please note account opening procedures and requirements can vary depending on the branch you visit. Although you can open an account in any branch you choose, it's advisable to find the branch closest to where you live/to UCL. This means that if you have any issues, you can easily speak to a bank employee.
- Barclays
Branch details
Please use the bank’s branch finder to find a branch near you and up-to-date opening times.
Required documentation
You will need to use two separate documents to prove your identity and your UK address.
Proof of identity:- EU/EEA students: passport, or national identity card, or photocard driving licence
- non-EU/EEA students: a valid passport and BRP
Proof of UK address:
- a statement of student status letter or a bank letter (see 'Letters from UCL' below)
- a letter issued by your hall of residence if you are staying in UCL accommodation, or
- a private accommodation lease (contract), or
- an EU/EEA photocard driving licence
Features
- a Student Additions Account with a free 12-month subscription to Perlego, an online learning library
- an interest free arranged overdraft on student account opening
- cash withdrawal and payments in stores and online
- setting up a direct debit online and by telephone banking
- the Barclays app
- online Banking
- cashback on certain purchases
- free transfers for international students to send money abroad
- no monthly fee
Appointments
- You can currently open a student bank account online.
- To book an appointment with a branch, you can call telephone banking on 0345 734 5345.
Sustainability
- The largest funder of fossil fuels in Europe, including new projects
- Barclays claims it will reduce its emissions, but increased its fossil fuel financing in 2023, and its net-zero target excludes financed emissions
- See Ethical Consumer for more information
- HSBC
Branch details
Check the bank’s branch finder to find a branch near you and up-to-date opening times.
Required documentation
All applications for an HSBC account must be started online. Please then visit your local branch with the required documentation specified on the bank website. To support social distancing, the branch will submit your documentation so your account will be opened.
Features
- a Basic Bank Account
- a student bank account
- an interest-free overdraft up to £1,000 in year 1 on student account opening
- cash withdrawal and payments in stores and online
- setting up direct debits & standing orders online
- mobile banking
- cash deposits, withdrawal and balance checking at Post Office
- no monthly fee
Appointments
You can book an appointment online or alternatively call 0800 169 5422.
Sustainability
- One of the largest funders of fossil fuels
- HSBC claims it will become net zero and pledged to stop funding new oil and gas fields in 2022, but then continued to fund companies exploiting new fields
- See Ethical Consumer for more information
- Halifax
Branch details
Check the bank’s branch finder to find a branch near you and up-to-date opening times.
Required documentation
You will need two separate documents to prove your identity and your UK address.
Proof of identity:- EU/EEA/Swiss students: passport, or national identity card, or photocard driving licence
- Non-EU/EEA/Swiss students: a valid passport and BRP
Letter from UCL:
Bank Account Letter addressed specifically to Halifax Bank which also confirms your permanent (home) address and your term-time address (see 'Letters from UCL' below).Features
- a Reward Account
- cash payments and withdrawals in shops/restaurants and online
- setting up a direct debit
- online banking
- banking app
- opting in and out of receiving bank statements
- no monthly fee
Appointments
To open an account, you can apply online, in branch or by phoning 0345 720 3040.
Sustainability
- Owned by Lloyds, has similar sustainability practices (see Lloyds entry)
- Lloyds
Branch details
Check the bank’s branch finder to find a branch near you and up-to-date opening times.
Required documentation
Proof of identity:
- EU/EEA/Swiss students: passport, or national identity card, or photocard driving licence
- Non-EU/EEA/Swiss students: a valid passport and BRP
Letter from UCL:
Bank account letter addressed specifically to Lloyds Bank, which confirms your home (overseas) address and your term-time UK address (see 'Letters from UCL' below)Features
- a Classic Account with online application available
- a student account with online application available
- cash payments and withdrawals in stores and online
- online and mobile banking services
- self service
- free TOTUM card for discounts
- no overdraft for international students who have lived in the UK less than three years
- no monthly fee
Appointments
To book an appointment, you can call telephone banking on 0345 3000 000.
Sustainability
- Funds fossil fuels, albeit less than most other major high street banks
- Lloyds claims it will halve its investment carbon footprint by 2030 and no longer directly funds new oil and gas projects, but increased its fossil fuel financing in 2023
- Metro Bank
Branch details
Check the bank’s branch finder to find a branch near you and up-to-date opening times.
Required documentation
Proof of identity:
- EU/EEA/Swiss students: passport, or national identity card, or photocard driving licence
- Non-EU/EEA/Swiss students: a valid passport and BRP
Proof of address:
A letter of acceptance or a letter of introduction from UCL specially addressed to the branch that you visit (see 'Letters from UCL' below)Features
- a personal current account with online application available for UK/EU/EEA/Swiss nationals
- a cash account
- mobile banking app
- fee-free for debit card payments and cash withdrawals in Europe
- application for an arranged overdraft
Appointments
You can visit a branch without an appointment in advance.
Sustainability
- Doesn't directly fund metal ore and coal mining, oil and gas extraction, fossil fuel power or deforestation
- Lacks detailed policies so might indirectly fund these industries
- NatWest
Branch details
Check the bank’s branch finder to find a branch near you and up-to-date opening times.
Required documentation
Proof of identity:
- EU/EEA/Swiss students: passport, or national identity card, or photocard driving licence
- Non-EU/EEA/Swiss students: a valid passport and BRP
Proof of student status:
- a 16-digit code emailed to you by UCAS (If you have misplaced this email please contact UCAS who will reissue within 24 hours.), or
- University letter of acceptance / enrolment offer / enrolment certificate on headed paper and addressed to NatWest (see 'Letters from UCL' below)
Features
- an International Student bank account
- a Everyday Current bank account
- online banking
- cash payments and withdrawals in stores and online
- mobile banking app
- access to one of the three offers: free Tastecard, or Amazon prime membership, or National Express Coachcard
- a £10 monthly fee for the International Student bank account
- no monthly fee with the Everyday Current bank account
Appointments
To bank an appointment, you can call telephone banking on 03457 888444.
Sustainability
- Funds fossil fuels, albeit less than most other major high street banks
- Claim to have an ambition to halve its investment climate impact by 2030 but lacks robust policies
- Santander
Branch details
The arrangements outlined here are made with the following Santander Universities branches:
- Santander on UCL campus, South Junction, Wilkins Building (map reference: C4)
- Santander at 164-167 Tottenham Court Road, W1T 7JE
Check the bank’s branch finder for up-to-date opening times.
Required documentation
Proof of identity:
- EU/EEA/Swiss students: passport, or national identity card, or photocard driving licence
- Non-EU/EEA/Swiss students: a valid passport and BRP
Letter from UCL:
- Not required – you can just show your UCL student ID card, which you obtain at enrolment
- No proof of address is required
Features
There are two bank account options available to you:
Essentials Current Account- a contactless Visa debit card for making all purchases and withdrawing cash from cash machines
- paying bills and having your income paid into your account
- setting up a direct debit
- having 24/7 access to your account using online, mobile and telephone banking
- opting in and out of receiving bank statements
- £1 monthly account fee applies
- receiving a cash card (for using in cash machines) and a top-up debit card (for spending in shops and online, but not contactless payments or subscription payments)
- transferring money between the two cards using online and mobile banking and Santander cash machines
- 24/7 access to your account using online, mobile and telephone banking
- opting in and out of receiving bank statements
- no monthly fee associated with this account
Appointments
Book an online appointment with the branches
Sustainability
- A major funder of fossil fuels, including new projects
- Santander claims to be working towards net zero but lacks robust policies and increased its fossil fuel financing in 2023
- Co-operative Bank
Branch Details
To locate your nearest Co-operative Bank branch and view current opening times, you can use their branch finder tool.
Required Documentation
Proof of Identity:
- Current valid passport
- Current UK photocard driving licence (full or provisional)
- Full EU or EEA photocard driving licence
- Current EU/EEA (non-UK) member state national identity photocard
- Biometric residence permit
Proof of address:
- Student loan letter or statement for the current academic year
- Letter of introduction from your university, issued within the last month for the current academic year, provided along with a valid passport or national ID card
- Annual mortgage statement issued within the last 13 months
For a comprehensive list of acceptable documents and further details, please refer to The Co-operative Bank’s identification requirements here.
Features
The Co-operative Bank offers a Student Bank Account tailored for students, which includes:
- Interest-Free Overdraft: Starting at £1,400, with the possibility to request increases each year.
- No Monthly Fee: Enjoy the benefits of the account without any monthly charges.
- Digital Banking: Manage your finances on the go with access to online and mobile banking services.
- Switching Banks: You can receive £150 for just switching bank accounts.
Appointments
- To open a student bank account, you can book an appointment with a personal banker at your local branch (scheduled in person or by calling).
- The Co-operative Bank’s customer service at 03457 212 212. Lines are open 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday, and 9am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday.
Sustainability
- Committed to not providing banking services to businesses involved in fossil fuel extraction.
- More details on their website.
- Nationwide
Branch Details
Please use the bank’s branch finder to find a branch near you and up-to-date opening times.
Required Documentation
You will need to use two separate documents to prove your identity and your UK address.
Proof of identity:
- EU/EEA students: passport, national identity card, or photocard driving licence.
- Non-EU/EEA students: a valid passport and BRP.
Proof of address:
- a statement of student status letter or a bank letter (see 'Letters from UCL' below)
- a letter issued by your hall of residence if you are staying in UCL accommodation, or
- a private accommodation lease (contract), or
- an EU/EEA photocard driving licence
Features
Nationwide offers the FlexStudent account, designed specifically for students. This account includes:
- Fee-Free International Transactions: Commission-free purchases and cash withdrawals abroad.
- Interest-Free Overdraft: Up to £1,000 in the first year, increasing to £2,000 in the second year, and up to £3,000 by the third year.
- Digital Banking: Access to online and mobile banking services.
- Cashback and Vouchers: Recently, Nationwide offered £100 cashback and 12 months of Just Eat vouchers worth £120 to new FlexStudent account holders.
Appointments
- You can apply for the FlexStudent account online.
- You can book an appointment at your local branch. To schedule an appointment, use the branch finder tool to locate your nearest branch and obtain contact details.
- For additional assistance, you can contact Nationwide’s customer service at 0345 730 2011.
Sustainability
- Does not lend to companies involved in the fossil fuel sector (and has a clear policy on this).
- Offers Green Lending Products (e.g. cash back incentives for customers who choose to buy more energy-efficient homes).
- Measures and discloses the greenhouse gas impacts of borrowing.
Letters from UCL
A Statement of Student Status and/or bank letter can be obtained from your UCL Portico account once you have fully-enrolled.