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The unit of currency in the UK is pound sterling (£). It is divided into 100 pence (100p). Coins issued are 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1 and £2.

Notes are in denominations of £5, £10, £20 and £50.

Banks offer a wide range of financial services, including current and savings accounts, foreign currency conversion and bank drafts. It is worth visiting the banks to see what facilities they offer. The main banks all have branches in Middlesbrough. Banking hours vary but most are open from 9.30am Monday to Friday. Some banks have branches that also open on a Saturday morning.

Banks may provide you with a cash point card to withdraw cash from a cash dispensing machine located outside of the bank. There is an HSBC cash dispenser in the University main entrance and in the Students' Union.

Most of the major banks in Middlesbrough will open an account for international staff at the University if you can provide all of the following documents:

You may have to wait for a household bill (gas, electricity or telephone) to prove your local address before the bank can fully open an account for you. Tenancy agreements aren't usually accepted. As a bill may take up to several weeks to arrive, we recommend that you bring sufficient money in the form of travellers cheques, or ensure you have a good balance on your credit/debit card to meet your living costs during this period. Once you have accommodation, you could ask your current bank to issue a statement to your UK address which you can also use as proof of your address.

These are direct payments made from your bank account to pay for goods and services, usually on a monthly basis. They can be useful to help you manage your money effectively.

You should ask your bank to send you regular (usually monthly) statements which you should keep as documentary evidence for renewing your visa.

All workers in the UK must pay income tax. The amount you pay depends on how much you earn. Not all income is taxed. Your tax will be deducted from your salary via pay as you earn (PAYE) by the University's payroll department. The salary quoted in adverts and in your contract of employment is the salary before taxes are deducted.

You will need to apply for a national insurance number to allow you to pay for contributions to healthcare and benefits.

National insurance numbers are issued on an individual basis and you keep the same one all your life. It is used as a reference number for the whole benefits and tax credits system. It's also used for making tax and national insurance deductions through the PAYE system, and recording entitlement to a state pension.

To obtain a national insurance number, you need to arrange an evidence of identify interview with Jobcentre Plus. They will advise you what documents to bring. During the interview they will check your identity, and your eligibility to work in the UK. An application for a national insurance number will be completed during the interview and they will contact you once the number has been issued.

To arrange an interview telephone 0845 6000 643 (8.00am to 6.00pm Monday to Friday) or text 0845 6000 644.