Best Banks in UK for Indian Students

Indian students in the UK need bank accounts in local banks to manage their finances effectively and securely. Banks like HSBC, Barclays, and Lloyds are generally considered the best banks in UK for international students owing to their international presence a structured and established services for students. 

Having a local bank account in the UK helps simplify the daily transactions like paying for rents, bills, and groceries without having to pay the high international transaction fee (applies if you use your bank account from your native country). Some of the best banks in the UK for international students include HSBC, Lloyds, and Barclays. However, there are more good options such as the Trustee Savings Bank (TSB), Santander and the NatWest Bank. In this article, we will list all the best banks for Indian students in the UK, along with their exclusive benefits and exclusive services for students. 

Also Check: Living Cost in UK for International Students in 2025

Top 10 Best Banks in the UK for Students

A local bank account in the UK helps students to avoid international transaction fees, along with managing their finances in simple ways. Some digital bank accounts also help students do currency conversion online easily. You can open a bank account in the UK upon r your arrival in the country; often your university in the UK helps you in the process.

There are two types of bank accounts that international students can access in the UK and even switch them, if they become eligible. One is the student account, the other is the classic/current account in UK banks. The student account provides better offers and budgeting options than the classic current account. However, in most cases, the student bank account can only be availed after completing three years of staying in the UK as an international student. Till then, students can open and get access to the current account only. All the student bank accounts’ benefits are therefore availed laterwards only. 

Check: Top Banking, Finance & Insurance Universities/Colleges in UK

The best banks to open an account in the UK for international students are listed below.

1. HSBC Bank

HSBC is the most popular bank in the UK among international students. The bank provides easily accessible features like online banking, a banking app to track and manage transactions, budget and more, a contactless debit card, and access to Home and Away offers for students.

You can apply for an HSBC bank account for students in the UK if:

• You are 18 or more years old. 
• Have a valid ID and proof of address in the UK
• Have read and agree to the important HSBC bank account details. 

The HSBC account you open is a simple current account, and there is no monthly fee to access your HSBC account. The HSBC bank account can be accessed via the free HSBC Bank app, and it can be done on a computer, a mobile or in a bank branch. You can even connect your bank account with payment apps like Google Pay (G-pay), Apple Pay or Samsung Pay; or use your contactless Visa debit card. The account does not offer access to the HSBC credit card, loans or mortgages. However, somehow, the bank allows overdrafting and may help in making some essential payments with the overdraft amount. Read how to manage your expenses on a student budget.

2. Barclays 

Barclays offer a special kind of account for international students, i.e. the “Student Additions Account”, however, this can be opened only after you have lived in the UK as a student for over three years. So, as someone who has just moved to the UK for higher studies, you can open a simple Barclays bank account.

Barclays Bank for students in the UK provides features like an optional overdraft, debit card, mobile banking, and a travel wallet for on-the-go accurate currency conversion. You can apply for an account using the award-winning Barclays app within minutes. Here is how you can apply for an account on the Barclays app:

• Open the app and create a passcode to access your app safely and securely the next time you return. 
• Capture an image of the required ID document.
• Record a short video that the authorities will use to verify your ID.
• Provide details of your chosen course and the UCAS credit code
• Give consent for the credit check. 

Note:- If you have not yet received an offer from your university or college, then you can still start your application and complete it later when you get the offer. 

Read: Cost of Living in London for International Students 2025

3. Lloyds Bank

The Lloyds Bank offers no-fee bank account if you stay in credit, cashback on certain purchases and transactions and mobile banking facilities. One can become eligible to open a classic bank account with Lloyds Bank in the UK once they have reached and started living in the UK. Here are some points that one must keep in mind if holding a bank account as a student with Lloyds Bank in the UK:

• You need to stay in credit and prevent your bank balance from going below £0.00 to prevent the charging of any fee or fine.
• The Visa debit card provided to you as an international student by Lloyds Bank in the UK should not be used outside of the UK. If done, you may be charged a fee for every transaction.
• There is no need to have a set amount of money spent from this account on a monthly basis. 
• The Visa debit card offers up to 15% discounts on purchases from certain retailers, while some merchants also offer some cashback. 

Check: Cost of Living Calculator for Studying Abroad

4. NatWest Bank

A student bank account at the NatWest Bank in the UK is the current account that typically works in the same way as the standard NatWest Bank account. The account helps you manage your daily transactions, including bill payments, and your salary while still studying at a UK university. The student account at the NatWest Bank in the UK offers optional overdrafting with the option to get help with budgeting, discounts and other available offers. It is important to note here that your student account at the NatWest Bank gets automatically switched to the “Graduate Account” once you complete your education. However, to get a student account, you must be at least 17 years old and be living in the country for at least three consecutive years. 

Related Read: Cheapest Accommodation in London for International Students

5. Santander Bank

The Santander Bank offers a basic Current Account with options of receiving a cashback, vouchers or the option of fee-free withdrawals at the Santander Bank’s ATM worldwide. International students in the UK can open a “Santander Bank Edge Student Account” that offers a free Santander 16-25 Railcard (worth £115), which enables you to travel across Great Britain and helps you save at least 1/3rd of the amount on rail travel. Not just this, students can also receive an arranged overdraft of up to £1,500 for 1st to 3rd year of their studies and up to £2,000 for the 4th and 5th years (if applicable). The overdraft amount you receive is an interest-free service. 

Also Read: Cost of Studying in the UK for Indian Students in 2025

6. TSB

TSB offers a “Spend and Save Account”, a good budgeting option for students that helps with saving while they study in the UK. Opening a student bank account with the TSB Bank, UK, offers several benefits. One such benefit of opening a student bank account with the TSB bank in the UK is getting an interest-free overdraft for times when you go out of your monthly budget during your studies in the UK. 

7. Monzo (Digital Bank)

Monzo is a digital-only bank that helps with online day-to-day transactions via the medium of its user-friendly app. Users do not need to pay any monthly fee or transaction fee while using the Monzo mobile app. It is excellent for students due to its powerful budgeting tools, instant spending notifications, and easy bill-splitting feature among friends. One can set spending budgets for different categories (like groceries, transport or travelling) and the app will track your progress. You can also create "Pots" to separate your savings from your main balance.

Read: Student Guide to Study in the UK in 2025

8. Revolut (Digital Bank)

The Revolut is also a digital-only bank that helps with easy money transfer with options for conjunction with traditional bank accounts. Its major advantage for international students is its superb currency exchange and international transfer features. You can hold and exchange multiple currencies in the app at a very competitive rate, making it easy to receive money from home or send it back. The standard account is free and is perfect for managing day-to-day spending in the UK and while travelling.

9. Halifax

Halifax is another major UK high-street bank with a dedicated Student Current Account. This account typically offers an interest-free arranged overdraft that can increase each year of your studies. Halifax is also known for its cashback extras, offering you money back when you spend at certain retailers with your debit card. Their mobile banking app is highly rated and makes managing your money simple and straightforward.

Also Read: How to Save Money as a Student While Studying Abroad

10. Wise (Digital Bank)

Formerly known as TransferWise, Wise is not a traditional bank but a multi-currency account service. It is an essential tool for almost every international student. Wise allows you to hold, receive, spend and send money in over 50 currencies (including GBP, EUR, USD, etc.) and provides you with local bank details for several countries (including the UK, US, and Eurozone), so you can receive money from home without high fees. Its debit card allows you to spend abroad at the real exchange rate with minimal, transparent fees, making it much cheaper than using a traditional bank card for international transactions.

Also Read: Most Affordable Universities in UK 2025-26

List of Best Banks in Top UK Cities for International Students

Check out the top banks for international students in different cities in the UK:

1. Best Banks in London, UK

London is the UK's financial hub and has branches for every major bank. You will find numerous branches of each of the following banks that provide student accounts in the city:

•  HSBC, 
• Barclays, 
• Lloyds Bank, 
• NatWest, 
• Santander, and 
• TSB.

Along with the above ones, digital banks like Starling, Monzo, Revolut, and Wise are also quite popular.

Also Read: 12 Most Affordable MBA Colleges in UK 2025

2. Best Banks in Glasgow, UK

Glasgow has a strong high-street banking presence. Branches of the following banks can easily be found in Glasgow:

• Bank of Scotland (part of Lloyds Banking Group), 
• Royal Bank of Scotland (part of NatWest Group), 
• Barclays, 
• HSBC, and 
• Santander.

However, other banking services from digital banks like Revolut, Monzo, or Starling, which offer fee-free international spending and other benefits, are also present in the city. 

Also Read: UK Student Visa for Indians

3. Best Banks in Manchester, UK

Several good banks with accounts available for international students are available near the Manchester city centre and in the surrounding areas. These banks include:

• NatWest, 
• Barclays, 
• HSBC, 
• Lloyds Bank, and 
• Santander
• Metro Bank (longer opening hours than most other banks)

Also Check: Average Cost of Studying Abroad in Indian Rupees

4. Best Banks in Edinburgh, UK

With the presence of many banks in Scotland’s capital city, i.e. Edinburgh, it is advised that Indian students choose the one which is in close proximity to their university or accommodation. Some of the best banks in Edinburgh for international students are given below:

• Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), 
• Bank of Scotland, 
• HSBC, 
• Barclays, and 
• Santander.

Read: Understanding the Cost of Living Index for Students

5. Best Banks in Oxford, UK

Branches of almost all the best banks in the UK are available in the Oxford city, check some of them below.

• Lloyds Bank, 
• Barclays, 
• HSBC, 
• NatWest, and 
• Santander

Related Reads: MBA Salary in UK

This was all about the best banks in the UK. If you need assistance with studying in the UK, get it from Shiksha’s Counselling Services for free. 

You may also leave your queries and doubts in the comments below.