Lots of questions about student / current / accounts and travelling!

ohmyohmy

Hi there,

I am currently looking to change bank and I am so confused!

I am a student but have never used or had an overdraft on my account and all the student account guides seem to focus exclusively on this. That being said I would like to have an overdraft in case of any emergencies next year.

Would a current account be better suited for me compared to a student account?

I also plan to study in America for a year. Do I have to open a new account in America or are there accounts that can be opened in the UK that I can use while abroad?

Is there anything else to consider that I haven't thought of?

Is there any banks I should look at in particular?

I am based in N.Ireland so Ulster Bank / Northern Bank and Bank of Ireland are all options for me too.

Should I wait until the summer to open a new bank account? (For incentives and offers etc.)

Sorry for all the questions! It's just the more I read the more confused I seem to get!

xylophone

A student account is a current account specially for students - it normally carries some "sweeteners" on the basis that banks hope that if they catch you young, you'll stay with them forever.... http://www.moneymagpie.com/article/best-banks-for-students might be worth a read.

ohmyohmy

Thanks for the reply! I've already read all Martin's guides to current / student and graduate banking. It just leaves me more confused than ever, especially about the student accounts as he only focuses on the amount of overdraft you can get, and as I have said that isn't my priority.