Student Account
We'll manage your money while you concentrate on study.
Changes to this account due 6th April 2020
On the 6th April we will be making changes to our bank accounts. Changes include how we charge for arranged overdrafts and reducing fee free amounts on accounts that have them. For accounts that earn credit interest, we will change the way it is calculated. For a full explanation please read the guide to changes.
Features and benefits
- Fee-free arranged overdraft (of up to £1,500 in years 1-3 and up to £2,000 in years 4-6 (available if aged 18 or over).
- Easy access to your account via Internet Banking and the Mobile Banking app, Telephone Banking, plus any of our branches in Scotland.
- Earn up to 15% cashback with Everyday Offers.
- You’ll get a Bank of Scotland Visa debit card enabled for contactless payments, providing a faster way to pay for your everyday essentials.
Arranged overdraft
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.
- Setting up an arranged overdraft is free and you’ll only pay a daily arranged overdraft fee if you use more than your fee-free amount.
- 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 overdraft or anything over the new reduced limit you want. You can also apply to increase it. This application won't affect your credit score.
- Helpful tools - You can use our cost calculator to calculate the cost of an arranged overdraft.
- Keep in mind - If you don't have enough money in your account 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.
You can apply for the Bank of Scotland Student Account if:
- You're aged 17 or over (to apply for an arranged overdraft, you have to be 18 or over)
- You've lived at a permanent UK address for the past 3 years
- You’re studying on a full-time course that lasts for at least two years, or on a one year access course leading onto a full-time degree.
International Students
If you don’t meet the eligibility criteria for a Bank of Scotland Student Account you may be eligible for our Classic Account or another one of our Bank of Scotland current accounts.
How to apply for the Student Account
Apply for our Student account using our simple application form. You will need to be aged 17 or over, on a degree course or equivalent full time education and have been a permanent UK resident for the past 3 years.
You will need to go to a branch once your application is successful to provide staff with the following:
- Your UCAS confirmation of place letter or a letter from your university or college confirming your place
- Proof of ID such as your driving licence
- Proof of address (anything official with your name on it that's less than three months old, but not a mobile phone bill
You can also apply for a Student Account at your nearest Bank of Scotland branch.
Got any questions? Call us on 0345 721 3141 (Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat 8am-6pm and Sun 9am-5pm). Or just ask a member of our team when you visit us in branch.
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Sometimes we need to plan for the unexpected and having an Arranged Overdraft limit set up can provide you with the flexibility of extra money to help tide you over.
The Student Account comes with a Fee-free arranged overdraft of up to £1,500 in years 1-3 and up to £2,000 in years 4-6.
When you graduate, we’ll still be here to help, converting your student account to a graduate account which also provides a fee-free offering.
The amount of your arranged overdraft that is fee-free will depend on your year of study.
For Student Account
student account overdraft
Timeframe
Fee-free amount
Timeframe
Months 1-6
Fee-free amount
£500
Timeframe
Months 7-9
Fee-free amount
£1,000
Timeframe
Months 10-12
Fee-free amount
£1,500
Timeframe
Years 2 & 3
Fee-free amount
£1,500
Timeframe
Years 4, 5 & 6
Fee-free amount
£2,000
Representative example:
In your second year, if you use an Arranged Overdraft of £1,200 on your Student Account, then we’ll charge you a daily arranged overdraft fee of £0.
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When you are no longer eligible for the Student Account, for example you graduate from your course, we will convert your account to a Graduate Account, unless you make alternative arrangements with us.
If you are not eligible for a Graduate Account (for example you leave full-time study before graduating) we will convert your account to a Classic Account (or similar account if it is no longer available).
Arranged Overdraft
You can apply for a tiered fee-free Arranged Overdraft (subject to application and approval). Up to £2,000 in your first year after graduation, £1,500 in your second year and £1,000 in your third year. -
Choosing the right account for you
To apply for a Bank of Scotland Student Account you must be 17 or over and be studying for a full-time course that lasts for a minimum of two years or be on a one year access course leading onto a full-time degree.
If you plan to study in the UK, you may be eligible for our Classic Account or another one of our Bank of Scotland current accounts.
Information for International students applying for a Classic Account
- Free everyday banking - Stay in credit and you won’t have to pay monthly maintaining the account fees. Bank your way with Internet Banking, Telephone Banking, Mobile Banking, in-branch, and also get free mobile alerts.
- Debit card - You can use your Visa debit card to shop online and in over 500,000 locations in the UK and 27 million worldwide.
- Cash withdrawals - You can withdraw up to £500 a day from a Bank of Scotland Cashpoint or other cash machines.
- No overdraft - International Students who have lived in the UK for less than 3 years are not eligible for an overdraft.
Ways to apply
Applying for an account online can be a convenient way to open an account but do bear in mind that you will be required to provide proof of identification and address at a Bank of Scotland branch to complete your application.
Classic Account details
What documents can I bring?
After applying for a current account online, you will need to provide proof of your identity and address at your nearest branch within 14 days so we can continue with your application. All documents must be the most recent ones. We don’t accept expired documents or documents printed off the internet.
We need to see one of the following documents.
This document must show your full name. You can choose from the following:- current United Kingdom, European Union or European Economic Area photo driving licence
- Current UK / EU / EEA passport
- EU / EEA identity card
- all other current signed passports with a valid UK visa
- benefits or pensions notification letter confirming the right to benefit
- current UK non-photo driving licence
- blue disabled driver’s pass.
PLUS
We need to see one of the following documents.
This document must show your full name and current address. You can choose from the following:- bank, credit card or building society statement showing transactions
- current UK driving licence (if it hasn’t been used as proof of your identity)
- utility bill
- Local authority tax bill for current year
- benefits of pensions notification letter confirming the right to benefit (if it hasn’t been used as proof of your identity)
- original letter on headed paper issued by educational institution confirming place on a course (must confirm full name, UK and overseas address, start and end date of course).
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.
We may monitor and record calls.
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.
