UK Services Money

Services for Students
Studying in the UK

As an international student you will be charged the international student rate for fees. These could be between £6,000 and £18,530 (you will need to check with each institution what their fees are for a particular course). In addition, you will also need to have enough money for your accommodation and maintenance.

Being able to finance your studies in another country is one of the most important considerations to take into account when applying to study overseas. One of the requirements of the immigration rules for students asking permission to enter the UK is that they can prove they have enough income to support themselves whilst they are studying in the UK.

The amount you will need in order to support yourself will depend on where you are studying. For example, if you are based in a university in London the costs will be much higher than if you are based in a university in northern England. Have a look at the literature the universities send you, and at their websites, to get a general idea of the cost of living. You will then be able to work out a budget for your stay in the UK. The British Council has a budget planner for students coming to study in the UK - go to www.educationuk.org/budgetplanner

There are a number of educational trusts and charities that may be able to offer additional financial help:

Educational Grants Advisory Service www.egas-online.org /

International Education Financial Aid www.IEFA.org

International Scholarships Online www.InternationalScholarships.com

The Association of Commonwealth Universities www.acu.ac.uk

The British Council www.britishcouncil.org/

The Fulbright Commission www.fulbright.co.ukawardsindex.html

You may also find UKCOSA's 'Sources of Funding for International Students' booklet helpful:
http://www.ukcosa.org.uk/images/bank.pdf

If you are an international student and also the child or spouse of an EEA national who came to the UK to work, you may be eligible to be charged fees as a "home student". You may also be eligible to apply to a UK Local Education Authority (LEA) for student loans and grants.

There are special rules for students who have been granted Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), Humanitarian Protection (previously known as ELR) and Refugee status. If you think you fall into one of these categories, please see a welfare or international student adviser for further information about your eligibility for fee support.

Banking

As an international student, you may be eligible for a basic bank account with a number of different banks.

You can use the links below to do some research before you come to the UK to help you choose a bank account. When you arrive in the UK, you will then be able to visit the local branch of the bank you have chosen.

These are some of the banks you will come across in the UK (the University you are attending may even have a bank on campus):

Abbey www.abbey.com

Bank of Scotland www.bankofscotland.co.uk

Barclays www.personal.barclays.co.uk

Co-operative www.co-operativebank.co.uk

Halifax www.halifax.co.uk

HSBC www.ukpersonal.hsbc.com

Lloyds TSB www.lloydstsb.com

Natwest www.natwest.com

Royal Bank of Scotland
www.rbs.co.uk/personal_finances

The British Bankers' Association have produced a leaflet for International Students studying in the UK. It answers questions that you may have about banking in the UK, such as how to choose which bank is best for you and how to open a bank account: www.bba.org.uk/pdf/40746.pdf

For more information, look at UKCOSA's 'Opening and Running a Bank Account':
http://www.ukcosa.org.uk/images/bank.pdf