Money

Currency across the UK is the pound sterling (£GBP). One pound is divided into one hundred pence (100p). Notes are issued to the value of £50, £20, £10 and £5 and coins to the value of £2, £1, 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p, 2p and 1p. Please note that £50 notes are very uncommon and should be avoided as they can more easily be counterfeited. We do not advise carrying large sums of cash with you on arrival.

Your living expenses will cover accommodation, food, travel and entertainment. Visit websites for well-known supermarkets like Tesco for the costs of food in the UK, and stores like Debenhams for the costs of clothes. As an international student it is also important you have enough money to cover your tuition fees and living costs before you leave your home country. You will not be issued a UK visa without providing evidence of sufficient personal savings - learn more about this at the UK Border Agency website.

Many UK banks offer bank accounts for international students, but they can sometimes take several weeks to set up. To make the process easier you may want to find a bank in your home country that has branches in the UK, like HSBC. You can sometimes transfer money from your home country to a UK bank account, but you must first check with your government that you are legally entitled to do so. If you are planning on using your debit or credit cards while you are in the UK, it is a good idea to let your bank know.

If you are going to be here for longer than six months, we strongly recommended you open a UK bank account as soon as possible after arriving in the UK. UK banks are open 9am to 4.30pm on weekdays and some are open on Saturday mornings.

If you bring a banker's draft in sterling with you (payable to yourself) or arrange for it to be sent, you will be able to open a bank account soon after you register on your course. It may also be useful to bring a letter from your bank at home (or some other documentation) to confirm your credit status.

We will provide you with further information and support on opening accounts during your induction week. In order to open a bank account you will need the following:

• Your passport
• Proof you are a student - we will issue you with an official letter after registration
• Proof of address.

For further advice on opening bank accounts in the UK, visit the UKCISA site