the best PG student account

Hamdi_2

Hi guys
I am an international student coming to study a postgraduate degree in Birmingham.
What is the best student account/bank for me?

coolsteel

Hamdi wrote:

Hi guys
I am an international student coming to study a postgraduate degree in Birmingham.
What is the best student account/bank for me?

Hello, my daughter is with Smile Internet bank, easy to use and has an ethical policy, its rates are good not the best but up there, she can withdraw money from any link machine found at most banks now. Smile use the Post Office as their high street branch. Other banks offer things like free rail card for 5 years, and money to start an account. You really need to do your research and pick the one that suits you the best.
Coolsteel :cool:

lady_lucan

HSBC could be a good bet for you - they have a big international presence, and they offer decent rates on graduate loans and overdrafts.

Hamdi_2

lady_lucan thank you very much, HSBC is very famous and active all over the world indeed.

Coolsteel thnx, this internet bank sounds nice but is it safe? And does it charge money for the withdrawal from link ATM's ?

misskool

Hamdi,
As an international student, you will need to bring proof of your previous bank (recent statements) and a letter of introduction from your previous bank. International students get a really bad deal when opening UK bank account.

HSBC UK will only issue you a SOLO debit card which is not as widely accepted as their normal debit cards and you will have to wait six months for a credit card application. However, if you bank with an international branch of HSBC, they will (if you are very persistent) link your international account with the one in the UK and give you all the trimmings that come with the normal student account.

Barclays will require you to deposit a minimum amount approx £1500 or more, and if you don't have the balance you will have to pay a service charge.

Internet banks will not allow you to open a bank account as you will not have had a UK address from the past three years.

The policy of most banks is to entice undergraduate students so all the freebies related to opening of your account may not apply to an international postgraduate student. Please check very carefully when opening your bank account.

If my memory serves me right, there is a Barclays and NatWest in Birmingham University itself and you should be able to get a phone number and ask them what they require before you get here. The international office will also have a checklist of what to do when opening a bank account here.

Hamdi_2

misskool thank you, this really sounds hard for me to open a good bank account as an international PG student

trace-j

lady_lucan wrote:

HSBC could be a good bet for you - they have a big international presence, and they offer decent rates on graduate loans and overdrafts.

They are until the 3yrs run out on the interest free overdraft. Would suggest you try and repay some of the overdraft during this time as the fees are nasty.

coolsteel

Hamdi wrote:

lady_lucan thank you very much, HSBC is very famous and active all over the world indeed.

Coolsteel thnx, this internet bank sounds nice but is it safe? And does it charge money for the withdrawal from link ATM's ?

No charge from post office's at all and most high street banks dont charge either, if their is a charge from the odd bank you will be warned on screen first. Internet banking or any banking for that matter isnt 100% safe but millions do it online every day.
Coolsteel :cool: