Opening a UK Bank Account
If you have not already done so, it will almost certainly be necessary for you to open a UK bank account as soon as possible after you arrive in Edinburgh.
If you are staying in University accommodation, we have made arrangements with some local bank branches to help make the process easier and hopefully faster; you will have seen reference to this during the online process when you confirmed your accommodation agreement and corresponding payment plans with us.
It is important you recognise this service is for the setting up of a current account so you can, for example, then set up a Direct Debit mandate so the money due for your rent will be collected automatically. This facility will not help with any other banking requirements at this stage, such as taking out loans or getting a credit card.
If you are living in non-University managed private accommodation, you can find information on opening a bank account here: www.ed.ac.uk/studying/international/finance/banking
What will you need?
To open a UK bank account, you will need confirmation of your UK address. This is provided by the 'Print Bank Letter' facility available on the MyEd student portal via the Services and myAccommodation tabs; but only after you have fully checked in to your University accommodation. When printed, you need to take this letter, which shows your full name, student ID and term-time address, to one of the bank branches below.
In addition, you will need to take with you:
- Passport or Biometric Residency Permit or EU Identity Card or, and only if a UK citizen, a Full UK Photocard Driving Licence.
- Visa (if applicable)
Which banks can I use?
The following bank branches are those specified in the automated bank letter described above; although this is based on information directly from the banks, you should take note that for training, operational or other reasons, some branches may open at different times on different days.
| Bank branch | Normal opening times | Special opening times for students only |
|
Barclays Bank |
Mon - Fri: 09:00 - 17:00 Sat: 09:00 - 15:00 |
N/A |
|
Bank of China |
Mon - Thu: 09:30 - 16:00 Fri: 10:00 - 16:00 |
To be confirmed |
| Bank of Scotland 51 South Clerk Street, EH8 9PP |
Mon, Tue, Thu: 09:00 - 19:00 |
N/A |
| Bank of Scotland 300 Lawnmarket, EH1 2PH |
Mon, Tue, Thu: 09:00 - 19:00 |
N/A |
| HSBC Bank 118 Princes Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4AA |
Mon, Wed, Fri: 09:00 - 18:00 |
N/A |
|
HSBC Bank |
Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri: 09:00 - 17:00 |
N/A |
| Royal Bank of Scotland 61 Forrest Road, Edinburgh, EH1 2QP |
Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri: 09:15 - 17:00 |
Mon 12 - Fri 16 Sept: 09:00 - 19:00 |
| Royal Bank of Scotland 30 Nicolson Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9DL |
Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri: 09:00 - 17:30 |
Mon 12 - Fri 16 Sept: 09:00 - 19:00 Sat 17 Sept: 09:00 - 17:00 Mon 19 - Fri 23 Sept: 09:00 - 19:00 Sat 24 Sept: 09:00 - 17:00 Mon 26 - Fri 30 Sept: 09:00 - 19:00 Sat 01 Oct: 09:00 - 17:00 |
| Santander Potterow, 5/2 Bristo Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9AL |
Mon, Tue, Thurs, Fri: 10:00 - 18:00 |
Sat 10 + Sun 11 Sept: 09:00 - 17:00 |
| TSB 9-11 Clerk Street, Edinburgh, EH8 8JH |
Mon - Fri: 09:00 - 17:00 |
N/A |
* More information on directions to and the opening times of these bank branches are available on each bank's website.