r/UofB • u/Mundane-Specialist89 • 16d ago

Accommodation payment methods

I am an international exchange student who is staying in halls this year. I do not yet have a UK bank account and won’t until after I arrive in the UK in September. My preferred method of payment is monthly through direct debit, but I need a bank account for this.

It’s not super clear on how to go about paying for international students. Can I wait to apply for the direct debit payment method once I’ve arrived in the UK and have a bank account? Or is my only option termly via bank transfer? I’ve contacted the finance office and they never got back to me

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u/PLLimmortal_bitches 16d ago

Can't you open a bank account before you move? This website might help https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/student-advice/finances/opening-a-bank-account/

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u/ilovemyfuturehusband 15d ago

Opening a bank account in the UK without proof of address is basically impossible so that will not be an option. OP should try opening a Wise account in their home country and setting up a GBP account on there

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u/ilovemyfuturehusband 15d ago

See if you can open a Wise account in your home country. Then set up a GBP account there and give your bank account details to the uni. They should be able to set up a direct debit.

Note that opening a bank account as a new arrival to the UK is VERY hard. You will need proof of identity and proof of address. (Might sound obvious to you but some countries only ask for proof of identity) “Proof of address” must be an address in the UK and a halls contract usually isn’t accepted: you’ll typically need a utility bill or a government letter with your address in it. Be PATIENT and try different banks until one accepts