York has many banks in the city and most will offer an incentive to students to sign up with them. It is up to you which bank you join and which type of account you would like to open. All banks offer a basic current account for free, with options to pay for extra services.
There are also mobile banking options that you could sign up to, these include Monzo, Revolut, Starling and many more. The benefit of these online only banks is that you can set them up almost immediately, meaning that you have a UK-based means of making payments, almost as soon as you arrive. This is particularly useful at YSJ, as we are a cashless campus, so you can only pay by card. However, we recommend that even if you go for a mobile bank, you also have a traditional high street bank account, as these offer greater levels of protection against mistaken or fraudulent activity on your accounts.
Find out more about high street banking and other important information here.
To open a bank account, you will need to decide what kind of account you would like to open, and with which bank. You will need to make an appointment at the bank, which will most likely be in-person. To prove that you are a student, you will need to provide them with a bank letter; you can request this on e:Vision.
- Log on to evision.yorksj.ac.uk
- Click on 'Request a Bank Letter'
- Confirm your address details, and change them if they incorrect
- Select the name and location of your bank of choice
- Confirm the details are correct
- Submit your request