The University has recently partnered with Blackbullion, a financial capability platform and app specifically designed to support university students in the UK.
We recommend that you register with them and complete their 'Managing your money as an international student' pathway before you arrive.
You need to bring a small amount of cash with you and/or a debit card to cover your immediate living expenses for the first couple of weeks after you arrive and before you've had the chance to open a UK bank account.
In the UK, British Pounds (GBP) is the only currency used to buy goods and services.
Remember, that our campus in Egham is 'cashless'. That means you will not be able to use cash and instead you'll either have to use a debit/credit card or you can add funds to your Student ID card which can also be used to make payments in the shops and restaurants on campus. You'll be able to collect your Student ID when you arrive in the UK.
There are several options for international students to make payments when they first arrive in the UK.
Use your existing debit or credit card
Your current debit or credit card should be accepted in the UK providing that transactions are made via the Visa or Mastercard networks.
However, you may need to contact your bank before you travel to activate international transactions. Failure to do so may lead to your transactions being blocked for security reasons.
You should also check with your bank what the charges will be for using your card overseas.
Use prepaid and foreign currency cards
Ask your bank in your home country if they provide prepaid or foreign currency cards for international travel.
For example,
The State Bank of India Foreign Currency Card
The First Bank of Nigeria Visa Debit Multi-Currency Card
These are often cheaper and safer than using your debit card from home.
Use online or virtual banks
Services like Revolut and Wise have become increasingly popular in recent years both for students who want to open an account from outside the UK or immediately after they arrive in the UK.
In order to get a debit card from one of these providers, you'll need to check that you live in a qualifying country.
Revolut residency requirements
Wise residency requirements
Open a UK bank account
You need to be resident in the UK and be able to prove that before opening a UK bank account.
If you need help setting up a UK bank account then we can assist with that too (see our New to the UK pages) and we'll be inviting a number of UK high street banks onto our Egham campus at the start of the year.
