Recruitment

Opening a bank account

When you relocate to the UK, one of the first things you will need to set up is a bank account. You will need to make an appointment with the branch where you wish to open an account.

You will need to attend your appointment with your passport and your Biometric Residence Permit if relevant. You will also need to take a letter from the University which can be provided on request to the Onboarding Team, please confirm which bank you are applying for an account with and the following information with your request:

• full name
• job title
• department
• start date
• end date (if relevant)
• UK address
• salary

Income Tax

Whilst living and working in Scotland, you will pay income tax which will be automatically deducted from your monthly salary. Income tax is calculated on the basis of your annual income. Find out more about income tax and current rates. 

Scottish income tax applies to your salary, pension and most other taxable income.

You’ll pay the same tax as the rest of the UK on dividends and savings interest.

A tax year runs from the 6 April one year to the 5 April the following year. The percentage rates or bands of taxable income may change for each tax year.

National Insurance

National Insurance (NI) will also be deducted from your monthly salary. This is a tax which is used to pay for social security benefits including healthcare sick pay and maternity pay. You need to apply for a National Insurance Number. You must provide us with a National Insurance number as soon as possible after you start work.

You don’t need to apply for a National Insurance number if you already have one, or one is printed on your eVisa.

If you have an eVisa, you might have a National Insurance number already.

You can find it by logging into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account to view your eVisa

If you do not have a National Insurance number, you must apply for one if you plan to work.

You can only apply when you’re in the UK.

It can take up to 4 weeks to get your National Insurance number.

You can call the National Insurance number application helpline 

If you have an application reference number, have it ready when you call. You’ll find it at the top of the confirmation email you were sent after you applied.

Council Tax

Council tax is a local tax on domestic properties which helps pay for services like rubbish collection, roads, and street lighting. 

Council tax is charged on the household. It's based on the value of the property and not on what the household earns.

The amount of council tax you have to pay depends on which property band your home is in.

Find out more about council tax in your area.

Pension

Pension

The University administers two pension schemes:

• Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS)
  
• NEST

Find more information about pensions at the University.

Payroll

You'll be paid your salary on the last banking day of each month (January to November, the University traditionally will pay earlier in December though reserves the right to pay on the last banking day).

Your salary is paid into your nominated bank or building society account.

To make sure your salary is paid into your bank account you will be required to input your bank accounts details into the "My Pay" section, HR System (PeopleXD).