Student Bank Account - What Is Involved In The Application Process?

Applying for your Student Bank Account

So once you have decided on which student products and which Bank, it is now down to the actual student bank account application!

You'll need to get some documents together before you start, in most cases Banks will require you to:

provide some form of identification (i.e. driver's licence or passport)
provide proof of your home address (i.e. a bank statement or letter from a university or college which is less than 3 months old))
provide proof of your student status (a UCAS confirmation of place letter or letter from your university or college confirming your place).

Check with your Bank exactly what documentation they require from you as different Banks may accept different types.

As part of the application process Banks may also check your credit score, this is a score that is given to you based on your past credit history. If you want to find out what your credit score is for yourself, you can do this at www.experian.co.uk, be aware though that most students who've just left school won't have a credit score yet.

Bear in mind that not all student offers advertised will automatically be given to all applicants, the banking services and products you may be approved for are dependent on your personal circumstances and the Banks' assessment criteria.

In addition to the general application requirements above, the table below outlines what to expect when applying either in a branch or online:

Applying for student banking via....	What to expect......
High Street Banks, Building Societies and Finance Companies	After making an appointment, a specialist student advisor will take you through the application process step by step. Your account will usually be opened on the spot but overdraft and other lending applications may take longer.
Online	You can compare student packages in your own time online and use online application tools and forms, some online banks promise instant decisions for lending and credit applications. Secure websites have a yellow padlock or key icon in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.

If you are approved you will need to provide your signature confirming acceptance of the student banking terms and conditions, make sure you have read and understood these because once you sign you have entered into a binding contract. Once your account is opened you will be issued with a cheque book, debit card and a PIN. Make sure you sign your card(s) as soon as you get them.

Keep your cheque books and cards in a safe place but not together to avoid anyone else being able to use them. Banks advise customers to never write their PIN down and if you do to disguise it so it doesn't look like a PIN and not to keep it with your card. Never tell anyone else what your PIN is.

If you have a Visa debit card and/or credit card keep your receipts in a safe place or destroy them securely to stop anyone obtaining and using your card details. Check your current account and credit card statements regularly and contact the Bank immediately if you see any transactions that weren't made by you.

Download the Student Loans PDF Guide here - see our other free PDF guides here

Guide Contents

What are student loans?
What about student banking?
Shopping around for a student bank account package
Applying for your student bank account
Student loan FAQs
Student loan help

main menu << previous page next page >>