Barclays is set to be the first UK bank to offer in-app account opening for students, launching next month.

Students will be able to open an account in minutes through the Barclays app.

As well as getting access to all the money management tools in the Barclays app, they will also receive a free 12-month membership to online library Perlego.

Barclays is making it super simple for this year’s Freshers to open a student bank account, with digital account opening through the Barclays app. Students will be able to open an account with just a selfie, their ID and a UCAS code, and start using their Barclays Student Additions account in minutes.

This means that rather than having to set aside time to visit a branch, students can open an account at a time and place that suits them in a few simple steps using their UCAS number to securely verify their student status, scanning an identification document and taking a selfie video.

Pip Landers-Letts, Barclays’ Head of Youth, Student & Graduate Propositions, Barclays says: “The start of university is such an exciting time, but often there is lots to do to make sure you are fully equipped for student life. Being able to set up our Student Additions Account from the Barclays app is a quick and easy task, which frees up more time to focus on the start of your studies and settle into university.”

Alongside the money management tools in the Barclays app, this year Barclays is also offering new students a 12-month membership to the online library Perlego. The library gives members access to more than 400,000 academic and non-fiction titles, helping students save money and stay on top of their studies. Furthermore, with research showing that 74% of students are worried about access to university libraries* it also means they have easy access to the course books they need.

Pip continues: “We also know that UK students spend an average of £439** on textbooks every year, and are also concerned about whether access to libraries will be restricted during these challenging times. We hope the year’s free membership to online library Perlego for account holders will give students some extra reassurance and support in their studies at this time.”

The ability to open a new student account on the Barclays app will be available later in September. However, new customers can register their interest now by going to www.barclays.co.uk/current-accounts/student-account/. They will then be contacted as soon as they apply for their account using the Barclays app.