Study at Cardiff | International

How do I open a bank account in the UK?

To open a bank account in the UK, for most banks, you will need a letter from the University confirming your contact details and your passport. You will also need to complete paper application forms at the bank.

There are 5 stages to opening a bank account

1. Enrol online at Cardiff University.
2. Get your student ID card from the Students' Union - you must bring your passport! (Campus map ref. 60). Although, you only need your ID card and passport if you want to open a Santander bank account.
3. Get your bank letter from the Students' Union
4. Choose the best bank for you – staff will give you information about each bank to help you choose
5. Go to the bank and complete the application form to open your account

How do I enrol online?

Using your Cardiff University username and password to go to: http://sims.cardiff.ac.uk from any networked computer at the University. If you have not received your username and password or you have not been able to enrol online, go and ask staff for help in the Students' Union. Staff will be available to help:

Monday 16 September – Friday 4 October, 9.30 – 16.30 (including Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 September).

For very useful information about how to enrol online see: www.cardiff.ac.uk/regis/enrolment/essential

How and where can I obtain my Cardiff University student ID card?

You will need to have enrolled online (see above) before you can get your student ID card.

You need to bring your passport with you when you go to get your student ID card as staff will be checking your visa and that your personal details are correct on the University’s record system. Please make sure that you have a copy of your student ID number to hand when you come to the venue.

If your name, date of birth are not exactly the same as the name and the date of birth on your passport, please make sure these are changed because the banks will not open an account for you if this is not exactly the same. University staff can change these details for you on the University record system.

How do I get my bank letter?

After you have enrolled online and got your student ID card, you can then go and get your bank letter the Students’ Union on the following dates:

Monday 16 September – Friday 4 October, 9.30 – 16.30
(including Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 September)

What is the process of opening the bank account at the bank?

You will need to book an appointment with a member of staff at the bank to fill in the application forms. It will take at least an hour to complete the forms, or perhaps longer if there are a lot of other students in the bank doing the same thing. Be prepared to wait!

If you are likely to need to apply for a visa extension, please do not choose a paperless bank account, because you will need to have paper copies of bank statements to send with your visa application. Don’t throw your bank statements away! It takes a week to get a duplicate bank statement – so make sure you keep them.

What do I need to open a bank account?

Different banks require different documents from you.

Santander

You need:
1. Your Cardiff University student ID card and your passport.
You do not need any letter to open a Santander bank account.

HSBC

You need either:
1. Your passport and offer letter addressed to your home address from Cardiff University or UCAS. Your home address must not contain a PO Box number.
or
2. Your passport and HSBC bank letter

You will not be eligible for a HSBC bank account if you are an international student and have a visa for less than 6 months.

Barclays

Your passport and Barclays bank letter. Barclays will not accept a PO box number for your home address.

Lloyds TSB

Your passport and LloydsTSB bank letter.
You will not be eligible for a LloydsTSB bank account if your course is less than 6 months in duration. LloydsTSB bank will not accept a PO Box number for your home address.

Natwest

Your passport and NatWest bank letter, (addressed to you). You will not be eligible for a NatWest bank account if your course is less than 6 months in duration. NatWest bank will not accept a PO Box number for your home address.

Difficulty in paying fees with your debit card?

If you have opened bank account you may have problems paying your tuition fees with your debit card in person. However, you do have to option of paying your tuition fees using your debit card by going through "SIMS ONLINE": https://sims.cf.ac.uk/signon/

You will need your username and password. Please ensure that your Full Name, Student (or applicant) Number are quoted when making the transfer. To do this you will need the following detail:

Name of Cardiff University’s tuition fee account:

Co-operative Bank plc, 16 – 17 High Street, Cardiff, CF10 1AX.

Account:
Cardiff University Tuition Fee Account

Account Number:
70867011

Sort Code:
08-09-03

Swift Number: CPBKGB22
IBAN Number GB57 CPBK 0890 0370 867011

Also see:

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