Graduate Medical School (GMS) Borrowing Account

Are you a graduate studying Medicine? With this account you can borrow to pay for your course fees. You can also take out a bit extra to help with general expenses.

Why choose the GMS Borrowing Account?

Pay nothing for maintaining the account

Only pay interest on what you borrow

Bank in-branch, over the phone, online or using our app

Only pay the full amount back once you graduate

Overdraft limit set to help paying for the course

No fees for setting up or increasing your overdraft

Borrow up to £500 each year for general expenses

Up to £25,000 overdraft facility available in total

Money Insights 365 on our mobile app

Is the GMS Borrowing Account right for me?

This product is right for you if:

  • You’re a Ulster University Graduate Entry Medical School student or Graduate entry student to Queen’s University Belfast medical school
  • You need help paying the course fees
  • You can afford to repay the interest on a monthly basis
  • You have a Bank of Ireland UK Student 3rd level account
  • You’re aged 18 or over

This product may not be right for you if:

  • You aren’t medical students at Queen’s or Ulster University in Belfast
  • You need an account for everyday banking

What happens once you graduate

The amount borrowed must be repaid in full at the completion of your course. At this point you might decide to apply for a loan somewhere else (allowing you to repay this debt to the other bank over a period of years) or to repay it by any other means.

Compare our other accounts

If this account is not suitable for you, please check our comparison section to help you find the right account.

Overdraft

With the GMS Borrowing account you can apply for an arranged overdraft of up to the amount of your course fees plus £500 per year.

Interest applies to the account monthly and we issue a pre-notification at least 14 days before we take this amount from the account. You should repay the interest monthly to avoid the account going in an unarranged overdraft position.

Overdraft rates

Overdraft Interest RatesAPR

6.00%6.17%

Our GMS Borrowing overdraft interest rate is variable and made of two parts: the Bank of Ireland UK base rate which from 8 November 2024 is 4.75% and a margin rate of 29%. It will change if either part changes.

Any changes to either of these parts will normally take effect immediately but if we increase the margin rate we’ll give you 60 days’ notice.

How much does my overdraft cost in pounds and pence?

As an example, the interest cost of borrowing £500 is:

7 days30 days60 days
£0.57£2.50£5.01

The 60-day example includes the interest charged in the first 30 days.

You can use our overdraft cost calculator to find out how much it would cost to borrow for different amounts of time and you can find out how likely you are to be approved by using our overdraft eligibility tool.

How do our overdrafts compare?

Representive example:

Overdraft AmountTotal Cost for CreditRate of InterestAnnual Percentage Rate

£1,200 used in full for a three month period£18.096.00% a year6.17% APR (variable)

You can compare our APR with other banks’ overdrafts or other way of lending to make sure you find the right type of borrowing for you.

For more information please go to our overdrafts section.

Ready To Apply?

To open this account we need a completed application together with documents that prove your identity and address. We will also need your existing current account number and sort code, plus additional documents from your University. You will need:

  • A valid form of photo ID
  • A proof of address
  • Your Bank of Ireland UK bank account number and sort code
  • Proof to confirm your course fees. For example, an invoice or letter from the University.

Find out about the identity and address documents that we accept here.

The quickest way is online

  • Step 1: Get ready! Choose your device (mobile, tablet or computer) plus have the documents and details above at hand

    Keep in mind:

    • We recommend you have photos of your documents saved on your device. Plus, keep the original documents nearby, just in case.
    • You can upload a photo of your original documents plus a selfie when completing your application – you will need to apply from a device with a camera. Or bring your original documents to one of our branches in Northern Ireland.
    • We will verify your mobile number and email address by sending codes to them during the application. Be ready to receive them.

  • Step 2: Click Apply!

    • Remember: you need to be at least 18 years old and agree to use the account for personal use only.
    • By applying you confirm that you are happy for us to do a credit check against your name, if you live in the UK.
    • We currently do not have a way for you to save and return later to your application. Get ready to complete everything in about 20 minutes and make sure you go all the way to the submit button!

    Apply now

  • Step 3: Well Done! Receive the account documents and wait for your account number

    • Once you submit your application, we will send you an email straight away with all the information you will need:
      • All the documents about your account – make sure you download, save and read them through.
      • How to set up 365 digital and telephone banking and confirm your overdraft limit, once your account is opened.
    • We’ll check your application and documents. All being well we’ll work on opening your account. Once your account is open we will send you an email with your account number.

Apply over the phone

Need help and prefer to apply over the phone with one of our staff? Call 0800 0850 444 for free Mon to Fri 9am to 5pm.

How to manage your account

Free Text Alerts

Get alerted about events happening on your account

Find out more

365 Digital Banking

Manage your money online or through our banking app

Find out more

Financial Wellbeing

Keep your finances healthy

Find out more

Turn off Paper Statements

Go digital and save paper. Free online statements

Find out more

Help Centre

Find answers to lots more of your questions

Find out more

Overdrafts

Borrow money using your current account

Find out more

FAQs

  • What are the identity and address documents accepted?

    Options when providing proof of identity and address documents

    • If you apply online, and are 18 years or older, you can upload your documents whilst completing your online application. If you consent to use biometric data and take a selfie, these documents do not need to be certified.
    • If you apply over the phone or are asked to re-upload documents submitted online, you can use our Document Uploader. These documents must be certified by one of the following:
      • Accountant, Solicitor, Barrister, Attorney, Commissioner of Oaths/Notary Public, Justice of the Peace
      • Post Office Official (UK only)
    • You can visit one of our local branches in Northern Ireland and bring your original documents with you. These documents do not need to be certified. There is no need for an appointment.

     

    The documents we accept

    We need one document from each of the below proof of identity and proof of address lists in your name.

    Proof of identity

    • Valid Passport (all countries)
    • National Identity Card (from EU/EEA countries only with photo and DOB)
    • Passport Travel Card (from EU/EEA Countries only)
    • UK or ROI Driving Licence (full or provisional)

    If you supply documents by visiting a branch, or use our document upload process, you may also use:

    • UK Biometric Residency Permit (physical or electronic document)
    • Current Full Photo Card Driving Licence (EU/EEA/US/Canada/Australia)
    • Electoral ID Card (NI only)
    • Current Firearms Certificate or Shotgun licence

    Proof of address

    • UK/EU Driving Licence (when not used as identity document)
    • Original/Electronic financial institution statement e.g. Bank / Building Society / Credit Card / Credit Union statement (dated within last 6 months). E-statements must include the logo of the regulated institution.
    • Original/electronic household utility bill e.g. gas, electric, home phone/broadband, waste and water charges (not mobile phone or dongle contracts) (dated within last 6 months)
    • Original HMRC/Revenue commissionner correspondance, e.g. Tax Coding, etc. (excluding P60/P45/ National Insurance number correspondence) (dated within last 6 months)
    • UK Local Authority Correspondence (e.g. rates / council tax, Housing Executive, Electoral Office) (dated within last 12 months)
    • Original correspondence from DWP/Department of Social Welfare relating to benefits/pension or social welfare claim (dated within last 6 months).
    • Original letter from Government Dept/Agency relating to grants/entitlements (dated within last 6 months).

    If you supply documents by visiting a branch, or use our document upload process, you may also use:

    • EEA/USA/Canadian/Australian photo card Driving Licence (when not used as identity document)
    • UCAS letter confirming course acceptance (3rd level students only) (dated within last 6 months)
    • Current property tax letter (dated within last 12 months)
    • Current original motor tax (dated within last 12 months)
    • Current original health/home/car insurance (must have address detailed) (dated within last 12 months)

     

    Important notes

    • If we cannot accept the identity and address documents you provide online, or you apply over the phone, we will try to identify you electronically using information held by credit reference agencies (customers 18 years old or older). If we need any further documents from you, we will let you know.
    • The same document can’t be used twice for proof of identity and proof of address, even if it appears on both lists.
    • All documents must be originals and the most recent ones. We don’t accept expired documents.
    • Documents used for proof of address should show your full name and current address. Documents used for proof of identity that also state an address must show your current address.
    • Items listed in the additional documents box above can be uploaded online, or using our Document Uploader, or brought to a branch. These do not need to be certified.

     

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  • What charges will I pay?

    We don't charge a monthly fee for maintaining the account, but charges can apply:

    • For using your card to make transactions in a foreign currency. Please check the debit cards section for full details.
    • For some extra services that you may you ask us to provide. These are usually charged at the time we provide the service. For the list of these services and their pricing, please see our Schedule of Service Charges and Charges Explained brochure above.

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