Open a Student bank account

You'll need:

• UK Passport or Drivers Licence (full or provisional)
• Proof of address - Drivers Licence, Utility bill or Bank statement 

You’ll also need to verify your UK Student status. Your 16 digital UCAS code is the fastest way to do this - we’ll ask for it in the application form. If you don’t have this, you can verify your Student status in many other ways (see question ‘what do we need to verify your Student status’ for more information).

During your application you’ll need to provide us with a valid email address as this is how we’ll contact you about your student offer. You’ll need to register for Online Banking or our Mobile App and choose to receive paperless statements on your account within the first 30 days of opening.

Once you’ve done this, we’ll pay £50 into your account within 10 working days and we’ll send your tastecard redemption code to your email address.

Your UCAS code is the simplest way to show us you’re a student. It consists of 16 digits and is displayed in 4 x 4 blocks. Your UCAS code is used to electronically verify your student status and your account will be opened faster if you provide it in the application.

If you don’t have your UCAS code you can still apply for a Student account - you’ll just need to confirm your student status another way. We’ll accept any of the below documents as proof of your UK Student status:

• Letter from UCAS
• Letter from your University
• Letter of acceptance
• Enrolment offer
• Enrolment certificate
• Student loan or finance letter
• Students Awards agency for Scotland (SAAS)
• Local education authority award letter
• Student ID card (stating current year of study)

If you don’t provide your UCAS number in the application form, you can manually upload one of the above documents after you submit your Student account application.

After you graduate your Student account will switch to a Graduate account. We’ll notify you about 60 days in advance so there's no unexpected surprises. 

You can choose to apply for an overdraft in your online Student application. You'll need to be 18+ years old and have lived in the UK for 3+ years.

If you're approved, the overdraft limit is £500 for the first term of your first year of study. You can apply to increase the overdraft up to £2,000 after the first term. You can add an overdraft to your account once your course has started.

You can only have one student account with NatWest at a time. If you try to open more than one NatWest student account you will only receive the benefits of the account once e.g. only one £50 cashback payment.

Banking My Way is a free service that allows you to record information about the support or adjustments you need to make banking easier. You can also let us know any additional support you may need to ensure all of our colleagues are aware of this. The information will be shared on our internal systems and therefore you will not need to repeat these requirements every time you interact with us.

Once your account is open, you can record this through Online Banking or with our colleagues in branches or telephony teams.

personal.natwest.com/banking-my-way

All kinds of general info about our current accounts. Including details about the Student Account.

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Very important information about how your money is protected. Just in case.

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How much our charges will be. From taking cash out abroad to an unarranged overdraft.

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Important basic info about the bank. For example, who regulates us and how to complain (hopefully you won't need that bit).

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How we promise to treat you, if we lend you money. And what we expect from you in return.

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