Many students find that their statutory support funding is not enough to cover their living costs in an academic year and additional sources of funding need to be found. This includes bank accounts that offer overdraft facilities.
The Student Funding Office does not recommend any particular bank to open an account with.
Whatever bank account you choose, think about the following:
We do advise you to open a student bank account and take advantage of an interest-free overdraft facility where possible. It is important to conduct bank accounts responsibly (eg not going beyond agreed limits) to avoid unnecessary charges, possible freezing of accounts and poor future credit ratings. Your bank are more likely to be flexible if you keep them informed of your situation.
The Money Advice Service (formerly part of the Financial Services Authority) have advice for students who are choosing their first bank account.
The Money Saving Expert web also has a useful bank account comparison tool to make sure you are getting the best account for your needs.