Opening A New Bank Account and Getting a Credit Card in UK

In order for you to be able to receive any scholarship you need to open a bank account. Plus you need a debit card card for any kind of online transactions. It's also makes it easy to for your day to day transactions. Opening bank accounts can be quite difficult in the UK but

fortunately not that difficult for us.
Discuss with your MTI coordinator if there is any preferred bank that they would like you to open the account. Otherwise you can chose any. The procedure is slightly different here. You need to book an appointment with the bank by calling in or online. And some banks can have long waiting times. Since you will not have started working or even if you have you will just be shadowing. So you can escape any time. Make sure you have the following documents in hand before you go for the appointment.

• Original Passport

• Original BRP (All about BRP)

• Employment verification (Do ask your Hospital to give a Joining letter which you can show to your bank) 

• Address verification (If hospital accommodation ask them to mention it on your employment letter otherwise you can show your tenancy agreement if you are renting a place. Or your utility bill or Council Tax bill.

• Any other specific documentation required by the bank. 

Step into bank with these documents on the time for your appointment. They will verify the documents and if they are satisfied the officer will ask which bank account would you like to open there are different options. But it's better to go for a current account, you can always open another account afterwards saving, joint etc. Opt in for internet and Telephone banking. Request for a check book. Usually you do get a debit card along with it but confirm just in case. You can request for overdraft (if you run out of money the bank is going to give you an agreed amount on interest). You can also apply for credit card and bank will set a certain credit limit based on your scholarship so you will probably get credit approved of around £1000-£1500. A good credit history is essential if you need to apply for mortgages, loans, installments for any kind. So use your credit card often and pay back before the due date in order to build up a solid credit history. If everything goes smoothly you possibly will be able to get tour account on the same day. You will receive your debit/credit card and their pin in your mail. So keep a lookout for them.

Some of the banks that you can choose to open an account are

• HSBC
• NATWEST
• BARCLAY'S
• HALIFAX

Congratulations now that you have opened up your account send the details to MTI coordinator ASAP so you can start receiving your scholarship.

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