When you start university you’ll become eligible for a student bank account. Many of these accounts will offer some useful perks and incentives, but there are a number of factors to compare before you choose one that’s right for you.
Some student bank accounts allow you to earn interest when you’re in credit or offer freebies and incentives if you take out an account, while others come with an interest-free overdraft. Ultimately, you need to decide what’s most important to you.
Before you decide which bank to go with, make sure you compare student bank accounts with MoneySuperMarket to see what your options are.
Compare student current accounts - Ordered by overdraft rate (EAR)
Account opening criteria
High Interest, Package, Reward & Standard current accounts
- You must be 18 years of age or older
- You must not have been declared Bankrupt or have registered for an Individual Voluntary Agreement within the last six years or be in the process of doing so (Does not apply to M&S Bank)
- You are a UK resident
Student accounts
- You’re aged 18 years or over
- You’ve been accepted onto a full-time UCAS course at a UK institution for at least 2 years
- You don’t already have a student account with another Banking institution
Children’s accounts
- You must be aged between 11 and 18 years old
- You must be living permanently in the UK
Credit building
- You must be aged 18 or over to apply
- You must have a residential address in the UK
Before applying, please always check each banks specific opening criteria on their website.
Customer Service
This is based on a scoring system we developed using data from MoneySavingExpert’s twice-yearly Current Account customer service polls.
An easy switching process
We guarantee a smooth switch.
All you need to do is:
- Open your new current account
- Pick a switch date
- Let your new bank or building society do the rest
A smooth switch for you
The Current Account Switch Service makes switching your current account simple, reliable and stress-free. Over 4 million current accounts have been switched so far.
The Current Account Switch Guarantee means that your new bank takes care of closing your old account, moving your balance and switching your payments.
So you don't need to worry.
Start using your new account
On your agreed switch date your new account will be ready to use and your old account will be closed. Your new bank will have transferred all of your regular incoming payments (such as your salary or benefits) and outgoing payments (such as Direct Debits, standing orders, future dated payments and bill payments) to your new account, along with any remaining credit balance. Your saved Payee details will also be transferred over.
Note: future dated payments set up within 7 working days of your switch date cannot be transferred across to your new account.
Need to knows
- 1. Check you're able to switch
The Current Account Switch Service covers 99% of UK current accounts. The process is the same everywhere so you can feel confident when you switch, no matter which participating bank or building society you choose.
- HOWEVER YOU CAN'T SWITCH WITH:
- A joint account without the permission of both parties
- Saving accounts
- ISAs
- Non-sterling payment accounts.
- 2. Check you're eligible
Common eligibility examples include having a minimum number of Direct Debits, and a set amount entering the account each month. You'll also need to agree any overdraft facilities you require with them before initiating the switch (subject to eligibility status).
Just in case if anything has gone wrong
In the unlikely event that anything goes wrong, your new bank or building society guarantees to refund any interest and charges you incur as a result of a delayed or incorrect switch. It's all part of the Current Account Switch Guarantee.
Overdraft
Reward
Other perks
Switch incentive
Representative example and Need-to-knows
Overdraft
Reward
Other perks
Switch incentive
Representative example and Need-to-knows
Get a tastecard, Amazon Prime or National Express Coachcard
Student Current Account
Overdraft
Reward
Other perks
Switch incentive
Representative example and Need-to-knows
Get a tastecard, Amazon Prime or National Express Coachcard
Natwest Student Current Account
Overdraft
Reward
Other perks
Switch incentive
Representative example and Need-to-knows
