Opening a UK bank account  How to open a UK bank account

A UK bank account is useful if you’re planning on making any regular payments in the UK by direct debit, including: 

• Paying your mobile phone bills – if you want a UK mobile number, you can use a pay-as-you-go phone, but if you prefer a contract, you can only pay by direct debit from a UK bank account.
• Paying your bills – most utility companies will expect you to set up a standing order from a UK bank account to pay your bills.

Speak to your local bank in your home country – let your bank know that you’re coming to the UK. If you don’t tell them you’ll be overseas, they might think your card has been stolen and block your account.

Ask your bank if they have a bank in the UK – they might be able to offer services while you study in the UK or help you book an appointment with a local branch. 

For example:

• If you live in China, Bank of China can help you to open a UK account before coming to the UK.
• Customers who have a relationship with HSBC in their home country can use HSBC’s International Banking Centre (IBC) network to open a UK account before they arrive. This is available to customers in 29 countries, and the average time required to process this before you come to the UK is two weeks.

1. Proof of your identity – your passport or EU national identity card. 
2. Proof that you’re a student – your offer letter or a bank letter from the University.
3. Proof of your address – accepted documents include a housing contract, a utility bill or a bank letter from the University. If you provide a tenancy agreement for private sector accommodation, it will need to be signed by the landlord. 

To receive your University of Leeds bank letter, activate your IT account and complete online registration. 

Your bank letter will be sent to your University of Leeds email address within five working days of your accommodation contract start date, provided you have completed online registration and your address and personal details are correct. 

Your bank letter will be valid for three months.

During online registration

When completing online registration, it’s very important that your personal details on Minerva are correct as this information will later appear on your bank letter. Check the following points: 

1. Your name and surname

• Your name must match the one shown on your passport.
• Your name must be entered in this format: first name then last name, or first then middle then last name (if you have a middle name). 

2. Your address 

• Permanent home address – enter your address in your home country.
• Term time address – enter your long-term UK address. Temporary UK addresses (such as hotels or other short-term addresses) aren’t accepted.
• Complete all fields in full, including room/flat number, postcode and the ‘Nation’ field.

If you delay notifying the University that you have rejected your accommodation offer or enter your personal details incorrectly, documents produced after registration may contain the wrong information and delay you receiving a bank letter. 

You don’t have to apply for a bank letter. Your bank letter will be sent to your University of Leeds email address within five working days of your accommodation contract start date, provided you have completed online registration and your address and personal details are correct.

If you’ve not received your bank letter

If you’ve waited for longer than a week and you’ve still not received your letter, check that your personal details and address are correct on Minerva. If you spot any mistakes, correct them as soon as possible. A new bank letter will be generated and emailed to you the next working day. 

If you think that your personal information is correct, email the Student Documents and Visas team at ssc@leeds.ac.uk to notify them of the delay. Please email using your University of Leeds email account, including your full name and student number.