N26
N26 are one of Europe's biggest digital banks.
You can open and manage your account through the app on iPhone and Android. Support is provided online in English, French, German, Spanish and Italian.
You have a choice of three different accounts. All accounts come with a Mastercard debit card, which you can use to make payments and withdraw cash with no fee. The free account has no monthly fees.
Age 18+
Currently a resident in the UK
You must use the N26 app to open and manage your account. You can have an Apple or Android phone. You must be able to receive SMS messages
A passport or national identity card
An official document that proves where you live. You can use a letter from your university's admissions office confirming your address, a tenancy agreement or a utility bill.
Monese
Monese is a 100% mobile, multi-award winning current account provider. With Monese you get the ability to receive your salary, shop online, make purchases at stores, and withdraw cash from ATMs.
Monese provides you with a fully functional UK GBP account number and sort code, a MasterCard contactless debit card, and access to speedy customer support.
As a student at a European university, you can get their Classic Plan (normally £/€4.95 a month) for free for 12 months, offering both a UK and Eurozone account at no extra cost! To access the offer, send them your Monese ID (you can find this in-app under ‘Settings’) and a document proving your student status - this can be a student ID or university acceptance letter, for example. You can send these via direct email to students-cs@monese.com. Alternatively, if you signed up to Monese using your university email, send them your Monese ID from that address and they’ll be able to verify you. They’ll be in touch and upgrade you to a free Classic Plan within three working days.
Age 18+
Currently a resident in the EEA (including the UK)
You must use the Monese app to open and manage your account. You can have an Apple or Android phone. You must be able to receive SMS messages and make video calls
A passport or national identity card
An official document that proves where you live. You can use a letter from your university's admissions office confirming your address, a tenancy agreement or a utility bill.
Royal Bank of Scotland
RBS are essentially the same bank as NatWest, so their student bank account offering is very similar. There are no RBS branches in England and Wales but many in Scotland, so if you're attending university there they are a good choice.
This account will give you full access to the UK's banking services. You can manage your account through their app, on Apple and Android phones. There is no fee to withdraw cash. You can do contactless payments with the card and with Apple Pay™ and Google Pay™.
The account is free to open but there is a fee of £10 per month. You may choose one of their offers which include a card that gives you money off food, a card which gives you cheaper coach travel or Amazon Prime Student membership
Age 17+
Have been living in the UK for less than 3 years
Studying full-time on a course lasting at least 2 years at a UK University/College
or studying a full-time postgraduate or nursing course lasting a year or more.
If you're from within the EU you'll need an EU passport, EU ID card or EU Drivers Licence. If you're from outside of the EU you'll need a passport and student VISA, and a Biometric Resident Permit.
The simplest way to prove your student status is with one of the following: Student visa, Student Biometric Residency Permit, UCAS status number or University confirmation letter.
The perfect bank account for new international students in the UK. NatWest are one of the biggest and most trusted banks in the UK. They have branches all over the country. You can open this account online, without having to make an appointment at a branch.
This account will give you full access to the UK's banking services. You can manage your account through their app, on iPhone and Android phones. There is no fee to withdraw cash. You can do contactless payments with the card and with Apple Pay™ and Google Pay™.
The account is free to open but there is a fee of £10 per month. You may choose one of their offers which include a card that gives you money off food at participating restaurants, a card which gives you cheaper coach travel or Amazon Prime Student membership
Age 17+
Age 17+
Studying full-time on a course lasting at least 2 years at a UK University/College
or studying a full-time postgraduate or nursing course lasting a year or more.
If you're from within the EU you'll need an EU passport, EU ID card or EU Drivers Licence. If you're from outside of the EU you'll need a passport and student visa, and a Biometric Residence Permit.
The simplest way to prove your student status is with one of the following: Student visa, Student Biometric Residency Permit, UCAS status number or University confirmation letter.