International Student

Once you’re living in the UK, you may be eligible for our Classic Account.

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Important information for International Students

Always take care when banking

Always take care when banking, don’t be targeted by criminals. Being away from home for the first time and in a new country can make you more vulnerable and attractive to criminals.

  • Money laundering unknowingly being used by criminals to move money
  • Money mules allowing your bank account to be used for illegal gain in exchange for money
  • Scams being tricked to give your own money away
  • Fraud obtaining money or services through deception

For how this might impact you please see the sections below;

Money Laundering

  • With a need to have money transferred from your home country criminals can target you by offering attractive currency exchange rates. This enables them to give you their criminal funds which you might use to pay for your study or living expenses. They may also deposit funds into your account themselves using cash or other people. In exchange you will provide them legitimate funds which enables them to launder the proceeds of crime and involves you in this illegal activity leading to the risk of you being convicted and or imprisoned.
  • Don’t deposit cash into your account to fund your study in the UK that has come via a third party and not direct from someone you know and trust. This could be illegal underground banking which can be funded from criminal activity. Such as the case of Xiaotong Huang who took cash from an individual linked to an organised crime gang to pay for her university fees.
  • Always ensure you know the source of cash paid into your accounts and that if required you can provide documentation to support this.

Money Mules

  • You may be asked to transfer stolen money between bank accounts at the request of criminals for a financial reward. These may be people known to you, recently introduced to you or schemes advertised via social media.
  • Don’t allow money to be transferred to you from others who you don’t know and trust. They may ask you to pass it on by transfer or withdraw it as cash to give it to someone else. You could also be asked for your online banking details or an activation code from your banking app this lets them access your account to move funds.
  • You could be asked to sell your account on once you’ve finished your studies or be asked to use your identity documents to open an account to be used illegally in exchange for a cash reward.
  • By allowing yourself to be used as a money mule you are involved in money laundering and risk being convicted and or imprisoned.
Money mule video

Scams

  • When making transactions or sending money, always make sure you double check the details and that it’s not a scam.
  • If you ignore advice and warnings from us and proceed to send money, you may not be eligible for a refund.
  • Criminals are experts at impersonating people, organisations and the police. They spend hours researching you for their scams.
  • Stop and think it may protect you and your money.

Take Five to stop fraud

They are a national campaign group who offer free, straight-forward advice that helps stop all types of fraud. We recommend always learning as much as you can about them and following their advice. Find out more about them and the services they provide.

Be aware of the consequences of money laundering

Bank of Scotland are always on alert for money laundering and fraud, they work with other banks and law enforcement agencies to stop this happening.

Be aware of the consequences you might face

  • Your bank account may be closed
  • You may have issues opening new bank accounts
  • You may have problems applying for credit including mobile phone contracts, loans and mortgages
  • Your funds could be confiscated
  • You may be removed from your course of study
  • You could get a criminal record
  • You could go to prison for up to 14 years

Protect yourself from fraud

Protect yourself from fraud

Find out how to spot and avoid scams.

Fraud prevention

Features and benefits of the Classic Account

  • Earn interest – you could earn up to 3.00% AERAnnual Equivalent RateThis illustrates what the interest rate would be if interest was paid and compounded once each year. This allows you to compare more easily what return you can expect over time. (2.96% gross p.a.) variable interest on the part of your balance between £4,000 and £5,000 with our free Vantage add on. Lower balances will earn a lower rate. You'll need to meet some conditions to earn interest. Please read these carefully.
  • Up to 15% Cashback – with Everyday Offers when you pay by credit/debit card or Direct Debit with selected retailers.
  • Save the Change – round up your card payments to the nearest pound to save as you spend.
  • Mobile Banking app – highly secure and packed with features to make banking fast and convenient wherever you are.
  • Contactless payments - pay, tap & go with a Visa Debit Card up to £100. You can now use our mobile banking app to choose a contactless payment limit between £30 & £95. You can also add your card to Apple Pay and Google.

Our highly rated Mobile Banking app

Our banking app is secure and packed with great features to save you time.

  • Quick, secure login – with the option to use Touch ID or Face ID.
  • Fast, easy payments – pay people and bills on the go.
  • Freeze your card – control where your card is used, and add temporary freezes if you misplace it.
  • Update your contact details - change your address, phone number or email address any time in the app.
  • Account notifications - get alerts straight to your mobile device, including when money goes in or out of your account.

More about the Mobile Banking app

Arranged overdraft

It is less likely that you will be approved for an overdraft if you have not been a resident in the UK.

An arranged overdraft can act as a short term safety net. You can use it to borrow money up to an agreed limit through your bank account.

  • You can apply to add an arranged overdraft to your account and you’ll only pay daily arranged overdraft interest if you use it.
  • If you use your arranged overdraft but pay it back before the end of the day, then you won’t pay any arranged overdraft interest for that day.

Helpful tools - You can use our eligibility checker and cost calculator to check your eligibility and calculate the cost of an arranged overdraft.

Applying for an arranged overdraft – When you have applied for this account, at the end of the application you can apply for an arranged overdraft which you can add right away. You can also apply for one later.

Amending an arranged overdraft - You can reduce or remove your arranged overdraft at any time through Mobile Banking, Internet Banking or Telephone Banking or by visiting your branch. But you must repay anything you owe if you want to remove an arranged overdraft or anything over the new reduced limit you want. You can also apply to increase it. Using an arranged overdraft increases your overall borrowing and may affect your credit score.

If you don't have enough money in your account or available arranged overdraft to make a payment, we may either let you borrow through an unarranged overdraft or refuse to make the payment. Missing payments and using an unarranged overdraft can damage your credit score, please get in touch with us as we may be able to help you.

All overdrafts are subject to application and repayable on demand. You must be 18 or over to apply.

 

  • Arranged overdraft details

    • £0 interest free amount
    • 39.9% EAR (variable) representative
    • Your interest rate will be based on how you manage any accounts you have with us and on the credit information we hold about you
    • No unarranged overdraft interest, fees or charges

    Representative Example

    A variable representative rate of 39.9% APR

    A variable annual interest rate of 39.9% EAREAR is the Equivalent Annual Rate. This is the annual interest rate of an overdraft. This means you are charged over the year based on how often and how much you are overdrawn by, and the effect of compounding it – charging interest on interest already charged. This interest rate does not include any other fees and charges.

    Based on Borrowing £1,200

    How much does my overdraft cost in pounds and pence?

    As an example, the interest cost of borrowing £500 is:

    £3.22 for 7 days

    £13.86 for 30 days

    £28.09 for 60 days

    How does our overdraft compare?

    You can use the representative APR to compare with other products or credit providers, this can help you make sure that you chose the right type of borrowing for you.

    Useful tools

    You can use our calculator to work out how much your anticipated arranged overdraft borrowing would cost over different periods of time.

     

    Cost Calculator

    You can use our eligibility tool to find out if you are eligible for an arranged overdraft.

     

     

    Eligibility Tool

     

    Find out more about arranged overdrafts

    If you already have a current account with us, you can apply for an arranged overdraft through Internet Banking or Mobile Banking. You can also apply to increase your existing arranged overdraft limit too.

    Apply for an arranged overdraft

Provide your ID online, it's easy

In order to get your account opened as quickly as possible, we may ask you to provide photographic proof of identity during your application. It's easy, just send us a photo of your ID, take some selfies and we'll then verify your identity.

New Customer?

New Customer?

Apply online and we should be able to give you a decision within 10 minutes

Apply today for a Classic Account

Existing customer?

Existing customer?

Open a new current account or change your account through Internet Banking

Log in to apply

I'd like to open a joint account

I'd like to open a joint account

Joint accounts for a joint account

Applying for a Classic Account in branch?

If you apply for a current account in branch or continue the application in branch, then you will need to provide proof of identity and address at your nearest branch within 14 days to complete the application. All documents must be the most recent ones.

  • We don’t accept expired documents or documents printed off the internet.
  • Documents you provide must show your full name. Proof of identity you can use to open an account:

    • Biometric Residence Permit card; or
    • Current UK photo driving licence; or
    • Current UK passport

    If you cannot provide one of the items above, you will need to provide separate proof of identity and address. Options include:

    • Current EU/EEA passport, photo driving licence or identity card
    • All other current signed passports
    • HMRC Tax Notification
    • Local authority tax bill
    • Utility bill
    • Benefits entitlement letter

    We reserve the right to ask for additional documents. If you don't have the documents listed above, we may be able to accept others so please speak to a member of staff if you have any questions about this or any of our services.

  • Earn variable credit interest on balances of £1 - £5,000 by adding Vantage.

    Vantage is free to add to your Classic Account. You could earn 1.50% AERAnnual Equivalent RateThis illustrates what the interest rate would be if interest was paid and compounded once each year. This allows you to compare more easily what return you can expect over time. (1.49% gross p.a.) variable on balances between £1 and £3,999, and 3.00% AERAnnual Equivalent RateThis illustrates what the interest rate would be if interest was paid and compounded once each year. This allows you to compare more easily what return you can expect over time. (2.96% gross p.a.) variable on balances between £4,000 and £5,000. You won’t earn interest on any balance over £5,000. Simply add it when you apply.

    To earn interest, each calendar month you need to pay at least £1,000 into your account, keep your balance above £0, and pay out at least two different Direct Debits.

    Interest is paid monthly. You’ll never be charged for having Vantage.

    Visit the Vantage page for more information.

  • Earn up to 15% cashback with Everyday Offers.

    To be eligible for Everyday Offers you need to be over 18, have a Bank of Scotland current account, a Bank of Scotland debit and/or credit card and be registered for Internet Banking. Once you’ve activated Everyday Offers, just activate each offer to earn cashback on your next purchase.

  • We have designed the Current Account Switch Service to let you switch your current account from one bank or building society to another in a simple, reliable and stress-free way. It will only take seven working days. As your new current-account provider we offer the following guarantee.

    • The service is free to use and you can choose and agree your switch date with us.
    • We will take care of moving all your payments going out (for example, your Direct Debits and standing orders) and those coming in (for example, your salary).
    • If you have money in your old account, we will transfer it to your new account on your switch date.
    • We will arrange for payments accidentally made to your old account to be automatically redirected to your new account. We will also contact the sender and give them your new account details.
    • If there are any issues in making the switch, we will contact you before your switch date.
    • If anything goes wrong with the switch, as soon as we are told, we will refund any interest (paid or lost) and charges made on either your old or new current accounts as a result of this failure.
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    For more information and FAQs, please read the Account Switching Guide (PDF, 2.33MB)

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Making sure you get a fair deal

We want you to find a product that's right for your circumstances, which is why we adhere to the Standards of Lending Practice, which are monitored and enforced by the Lending Standards Board.

To find out more you can read the statement of responsibilities, which details whats expected of us, the lender and you the borrower.

AER is Annual Equivalent Rate - this illustrates what the interest rate would be if interest was paid and compounded once each year. This allows individuals to compare more easily what return they can expect over time.

Gross rate means that no tax will be automatically deducted from interest on your behalf. You are responsible for paying any tax due to HMRC.

Account opening is subject to our assessment of your circumstances and to you meeting all eligibility conditions. You need to be aged 18 years or over. Benefits also are subject to application and approval.

 

Bank of Scotland plc. Registered in Scotland No. SC327000. Registered Office: The Mound, Edinburgh EH1 1YZ. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority under registration number 169628.

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