Bringing money to the UK

Last modified: 31 January 2022

You need to be careful about how you bring money to the UK and the amount that you carry. 

Bringing cash

Last modified: 11 January 2016
We strongly advise against bringing large amounts of cash and recommend that you bring most of your money in Travellers' Cheques or use a Travellers' Cheque card. Keep your Travellers' Cheques in a different place from your passport. To avoid carrying large amounts of cash for your tuition fees, contact your institution before you leave home and ask if you can pay your fees in advance, by bank transfer. Alternatively, bring a cheque or bankers' draft payable to the institution.

In cash, you should carry enough money to pay for: transport from the airport to your final destination one or two nights' stay in 'bed and breakfast' accommodation (in case you cannot immediately access your booked accommodation); food; telephone calls home; and any other expenses for the first week (bus fares, stationery, social events and so on). £400-450 should be enough in most parts of the UK, slightly more in London. (However, please note that for Visa/Entry Clearance applications UKVI specifies minimum amounts - See the immigration section of our website).

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Currency Limits

Last modified: 11 January 2016
If you bring money worth 10,000 Euros or more (including money in other currencies) and you are coming  to the UK from a country that is outside the European Union, you have to declare that sum to customs officers by filling in a form when you arrive.
You should also check whether the country where you live has any restrictions on cash that may be taken out of the country, or amounts that can be transfered to the UK.

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Travel insurance

Last modified: 07 October 2015
We recommend that you take out travel insurance before you leave home to cover you for your journey and the first week of your stay in the UK.

Money Laundering

Last modified: 23 August 2019

Be careful of letting anyone you don’t know deposit money into your bank account. Fraudsters may ask you to receive money into your bank account and transfer it into another account, keeping some of the cash for yourself. If you allow your bank account to be used this way, you will become a money mule. As a money mule you are involved in money laundering which is a criminal offence. For further details on this, please refer to the Don’t be Fooled website.

 

More information about money in the UK

Last modified: 31 January 2022

As a student, you need to ensure that you have sufficient funds for your fees, accommodation, food, travel, books and other living expenses. 

The StudyUK website has lots more information about: UK currency, Banking, Budgeting and money saving tips.

See also about the Cost of living in the UK on our website.

© 2024 UK Council for International Student Affairs

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