International Student Bank Account

HSBC UK
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International Students

Stay on top of your money while you study

If you're already in the UK, you can apply for an HSBC Bank Account with us quickly and easily online.

With this account, you won't have access to our credit facilities (e.g. overdrafts, loans or credit cards), some of our savings accounts, and you won't receive a cheque book.

Start your application online today

Document verification will be required in-branch after you've submitted your application.

How to apply

Still in your home country?

If you're already an HSBC customer, you can easily have an account set up before you arrive in the UK. Check if you're eligible for an overseas account before you arrive in the UK.

At a glance

Bank the way you want

Manage your money online, on your mobile or over the phone, 24/7, 365 days a year.¹
Withdraw up to £300 a day

Get hold of your money when you need it from ATMs throughout the UK.²

Set up bill payments and easy transfers

Set up Direct Debits and standing orders to make sure your bills are paid automatically. Sending money to family and friends is easy, too.
Make contactless payments

Your account comes with a contactless Visa debit card, making it easy to pay on the go.

Things you should know before applying

Charges for using your card abroad

If you pay for something using your HSBC Visa debit card while you're outside the UK, you'll need to pay a 'non-sterling transaction fee' of 2.75%. So, for example, if you spent £100, you'd be charged a fee of £2.75.

If you withdraw money from an ATM, you'll also need to pay a 'cash fee' of 2% (minimum £1.75, maximum £5) as well as the non-sterling transaction fee. So if you took out £100, you'd be charged a total of £4.75.

Any transactions you make will be converted into pound sterling (unless you choose to pay in local currency). To make sure your exchange rate is as competitive as possible, you'll pay the exchange rate set by Visa.

More about using your card abroad

Documents you will need to bring to our branch

Your proof of identity

You’ll need to bring one of these documents. It must be the original document, not a copy:

your current passport or travel document (passports should include all pages that contain signatures, the passport number and any extension dates where applicable)
your current National Identity Card (EEA or Swiss Nationals only)
we'll also need the original of a biometric residence permit that doesn't expire in the next 3 month

Your proof of address

Provide one of the documents below and make sure it is both recent and certified

letter from a university/college confirming your acceptance of a place on a qualifying course
EU Photocard Driving Licence and Overseas Driving Licence
bills and Bank Statements

See a full list of accepted documents

Overdrafts and unarranged overdrafts

An overdraft lets you borrow money on your current account. An arranged overdraft is where we agree an overdraft limit with you. This can help in months when you have extra expenses.

An unarranged overdraft is when you make a payment that takes your account over your arranged limit or overdrawn when you don’t have an arranged overdraft in place.

We’ll always consider an unarranged request and make the payment if we can. Unarranged overdrafts may result in declined transactions. We report account activity, including overdraft usage, to credit reference agencies. An unarranged overdraft lasting more than 30 days could have a negative impact on your credit rating.

Overdrafts are not suitable for long-term borrowing and usually result in interest.

If you take an arranged overdraft, you can later ask us to increase, reduce or remove your limit at any time online, by phone or in a branch.

If you end your overdraft, you’ll have to repay any overdrawn amount and any interest owed. If you want to reduce your limit, you’ll first need to make sure you bring your borrowing down within the new limit.

To find out more, visit our overdrafts page where you can find out if you’re eligible and overdraft cost calculator.

Overdraft charges

When you open your account, you’ll have the option of having an arranged overdraft. You can set your arranged overdraft limit to any amount up to the maximum offered.

The first £25 is interest free. Anything you borrow above that but within your arranged or unarranged overdraft limit will be charged interest at 39.9% EAR³

The monthly cap on unarranged overdraft interest is £20.

We have some tools to help you avoid going over your arranged overdraft. As long as you've given us your mobile number, we'll send you a text alert if a payment is going to take you into an unarranged overdraft. We'll also send you a text alert if there isn’t enough money available in your account to make a payment.

Representative example: 0% EAR variable on the first £25, 39.9% EAR variable on anything above that, giving a representative rate of 38.9% APR variable (assumed arranged overdraft £1,200).

Overdraft text alerts

We’ll send you overdraft text alerts if you’ve used or are due to use an arranged or unarranged overdraft on your account. This is to help you monitor your usage and let you know what action you can take to avoid interest.

If you don't provide your mobile number or let us know when you've changed it, we won't be able to send you these text alerts.

You can opt out of the arranged or unarranged texts at any time by phone, or by going into a branch.

Opting out of alerts may mean you incur avoidable costs. If you choose to opt out of text alerts, this will apply to all personal current accounts you hold with HSBC UK.

Charges for using your debit card abroad

If you pay for something or withdraw money using your HSBC Visa debit card while you're outside the UK, you'll need to pay a 'non-sterling transaction fee' of 2.75%. So, for example, if you spent or took out £100, you'd be charged a fee of £2.75.

Any transactions you make will be converted into pound sterling (unless you choose to pay in local currency). To make sure your exchange rate is as competitive as possible, you’ll have to pay the exchange rate set by Visa.

More about using your card abroad

How to open an account

Start your application online.
You'll receive a text message asking you to bring your ID and proof of address to your nearest HSBC branch.
After your documents have been verified and the account opened, we'll send you a letter with your Telephone Security Number and instructions on how to register for mobile and online banking.
We'll send you a welcome pack, either in the post or by email.

Opening your account is easy

You can apply for an HSBC Bank Account if you:

are 18 or over (see your options if you're under 18)
currently live in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man
have valid ID and proof of address
have proof you've been accepted onto a qualifying course at a UK university or college
have read the important account documents

If you live in the UK and have lived in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man for at least 3 years, apply for an HSBC Student Account instead.

Open an account This link will open in a new window

Frequently Asked Questions

For instructions on sending or receiving money outside of the UK please visit our international money transfer page.

You can view and download paperless statements online by following these steps:

Log on to online banking.
Select ‘My banking’.
Select ‘Statements’ under the documents’ section.
View and download your statements.

if you’d like a paper copy of the statement, you can:
give us a call if you’re registered for telephone banking
pop into your nearest branch and ask us to order you a copy

Your Telephone Security Number is a 6 to 10 digit number that only you will know. It is what we use to verify you if you call us.

Once your account has been opened, you’ll receive a letter with your Telephone Security Number and instructions on how to register for online and mobile banking

Your proof of identity

You’ll need to bring one of these documents. It must be the original document, not a copy:

your current passport or travel document (passports should include all pages that contain signatures, the passport number and any extension dates where applicable)
your current National Identity Card (EEA or Swiss Nationals only)

we'll also need the original of a biometric residence permit that doesn't expire in the next 3 month

Your proof of address

Provide one of the documents below and make sure it is both recent and certified

letter from a university/college confirming your acceptance of a place on a qualifying course
EU Photocard Driving Licence and Overseas Driving Licence
bills and Bank Statements

A standing order is a regular payment of a specified amount to another account. Setting up a standing order can reduce the amount of admin you have to do. It can also help make sure you never miss a payment on something important like your rent.

Click here for more information on how to set up, amend or cancel a standing order with online banking

A Direct Debit is a way to make sure all your household bills and other regular outgoings are paid on time.

It allows companies to instruct your bank to transfer money from your account to theirs. The amount transferred is decided between yourself and the company during the set up process. The Direct Debit is then paid to the company by the bank on an agreed date,

Direct Debits are often used to pay things like gas, water, electricity and council tax bills. All Direct Debits are protected by Direct Debit Guarantee Scheme.

Click here for more information on how to set up, amend or cancel a Direct Debit with online banking

If you're from the EU, you can apply for our Basic Bank Account online.

If you're not from the EU, you can also apply for our Basic Bank Account – but you'll need to wait until you arrive in the UK. You can apply online or in-branch.

View Basic Bank Account

Existing customers

Activate your card

Account all set up? Find out how to activate your card.

Use your card abroad

Going travelling? Your HSBC debit card makes the ideal companion.

Update your address

Moved to a new place? Update your details easily online.

Additional Information

1. Our telephone, online and mobile banking services are open 24 hours a day subject to scheduled maintenance periods. To help us offer the best service, we may monitor and/or record your calls with us. Back to 'At a glance'

2. Some cash machine owners in the UK may charge you for withdrawals. This will be shown on screen with an option to cancel the withdrawal if you want. Back to 'At a glance'

3. AER (Annual Effective rate) takes account of the interest rate, the compounding of interest and how often interest is charged. It doesn’t include any other fees or charges.

HSBC Bank Account for International Students

Stay on top of your money while you study

Start your application online today

Still in your home country?

At a glance

Things you should know before applying

Charges for using your card abroad

Documents you will need to bring to our branch

Important account documents

Charges and overdrafts

How to open an account

Opening your account is easy

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I send or receive money outside the UK?

How do I get bank statements for proof of address?

What's a Telephone Security Number and how do I get one?

What documents do I need to open an account?

What's the difference between a standing order and a Direct Debit?

How do I open an account if I am under 18?

Existing customers

Activate your card

Use your card abroad

Update your address

Additional Information

Customer support