International Office

Money - General advice

We estimate that students will need between £6000 and £7000 per year (not including tuition fees) for accommodation, food, clothing, items for the course, modest travel and leisure activities, depending on your lifestyle.

DO NOT BRING LARGE AMOUNTS OF CASH WITH YOU. We strongly recommend that you bring:

• A Bank Draft made payable to the University of Portsmouth for your tuition fees
• A Bank Draft made payable to yourself for your accommodation fees and living expenses
• £350 cash for the Orientation week and first week of term
• £350 in travellers cheques to cover you until you can set up a bank account

Please note - bank drafts can take 7 working days to clear (before you can take money out of the account).

When you arrive in the UK, you will need to open a bank account. You should seek advice from your own bank in your home country before leaving for the UK as they may have a special arrangement with a UK bank. You should also find out if you can use a cashcard from your home country. Please be aware that it may take two to three weeks to open a bank account in the UK so you must ensure that you have money available to you during this period. Further advice on opening a bank account, including a list of banks, is given by the International Office upon your arrival.

If you are going to be studying at the University for less than 6 months, some banks will not allow you to open a UK bank account. We would therefore advise you to consider the following points before leaving your home country:

• Opening an account with a multi-national bank in your home country before you leave, so that you may use that banks ATM machines (cash points) in the UK. You must check with the bank in your home country that this is possible, prior to your departure.
• Bringing travellers cheques sufficient for the entire period you will be studying at the University. Please be aware that you will be charged commission when purchasing travellers cheques. DO NOT bring large amounts of cash with you.

Please note that if you are being sponsored, it will not be possible to cash a bankers draft or cheque in the UK.

If you require advice or guidance about managing your money, contact our Student Finance Centre.