You will find it convenient to make use of one of the two banks on campus. These are:
| Barclays Bank Lancaster University Lancaster LA1 4XX UK phone: +44 1524 302290 fax: +44 1524 302289 sort code 20-47-61 |
National Westminster (Nat West) Lancaster University Lancaster LA1 4XX UK phone: +44 1524 844777 Ext. 2732 fax: +44 1524 39884 sort code 01-04-92 |
We recommend that you open an account with one of the two banks on campus, and pay your bills from that account. Be prepared to bring some identification with you, which would typically be your passport, and evidence of your acceptance to Lancaster University, e.g. your offer letter and offer of accommodation. This should include details of your permanent residential address abroad and details of your accommodation in the UK.
Once you have deposited some money in your account, you will then receive a cheque book, and be able to pay bills by cheque. However, if you want to use cheques to pay for purchases, hotels, rail tickets etc. a cheque guarantee card is required, and the campus banks will not issue these cards to students at Lancaster for less than a full academic year, so your use of cheques will be somewhat limited.
A checking account also permits you to have a cash card to obtain cash from your account at cash dispensers on campus, in Lancaster, and in most towns in Britain. If your US cash card carries the Cirrus symbol, you will be able to draw cash direct from your US bank account from UK most cash dispensers.
The safest and easiest way to transfer money from one country to another is by Telegraphic Transfer. Money is wired direct from one account to another. You need to open an UK bank account before this can be done. You can then instruct your US/Canadian bank to send funds direct to the sort code number of the bank concerned, for deposit in your individual account.
If you have any queries about transferring money from home to the UK, your own bank should be able to advise you.