
Energy usage
Understanding your energy usage
If you’re one of the thousands of students heading off to university for the first time this September, now is the time to make the big decision on who you’re going to bank with.
As providers are keen to get you while you’re young (in the hope you’ll stay with them for years – if not decades – to come), many will offer perks and freebies to try and win your custom.
Even though such extras may seem appealing, it’s important to look beyond these to what’s likely to be the most important feature of any student account offering: the overdraft.
Here’s what you need to know.
Most student account providers offer a 0% overdraft. This means you won’t have to pay a penny on borrowing up to a certain amount. Limits on overdrafts on student bank accounts can be higher than on most standard bank accounts – potentially up to as much as £3,000.
Providers will often offer a tiered overdraft which increases over the three or four years of your studies.
For example, Nationwide Building Society, Barclays and HSBC are offering up to £1,000 in year one, up to £2,000 in year two and up to £3,000 in year three.
While an overdraft can be a helpful safety net, don’t forget that it will have to be repaid. It’s not free money, and the 0% period won’t last forever. Interest may kick in as you graduate.
With this in mind, rather than rely heavily on an overdraft, focus on budgeting well. That way, you’ll only have to use your overdraft if you really need it.
Banks have pulled out all the stops once again to try and lure customers in.
This year’s goodies include cash incentives from HSBC (£80) and NatWest (£50), while Santander has a four-year 16-25 railcard up for grabs. Elsewhere, providers are offering discount cards, subscriptions, cashback and other rewards.
But don’t let these incentives sway your decision-making. You have to ensure the account is right for your needs, based on your spending habits. You must also think carefully about whether you’ll make good use of the benefits offered. Take the whole package into consideration when making your choice.
While many students spend the majority of their time in the red, if you’re one of the few likely to spend more time in the black, it’s worth finding an account where you can earn interest if you’re in credit.
Few are going big on this feature this year, and only TSB is offering anything of note with a rate of 5% (on balances up to £500).
To be eligible for a student bank account, you’ll need to have a place on a full-time UCAS course at a UK university or college. The course must last at least two years.
You can usually apply for a student account online, though you should check if you need to head to a branch to provide original copies of supporting documents. This might include paperwork, such as your UCAS offer, a letter of confirmation from your university, proof of ID and proof of address.
It may seem a long way off, but it’s important to know what will happen to your student account when you leave university. Typically, banks will turn your student account into a graduate bank account. You can use this to repay your overdraft. Keep that in mind before racking up a lot of borrowing.
For more tips on managing your money at university, read our article: Budgeting tips for students.
Our handy tips and tools will help make sure you never overpay again
Everything you need to know about the wonderful world of car insurance.
Our guide will help you protect your property and possessions.
Discover how to bring down the cost of a major household bill.
Our definitive guide to choosing the right credit card.
Find out how to choose the right life insurance for your needs.
What to consider when picking a current account.
See how travel insurance can help protect your holiday.
Understand the difference between secured and unsecured loans