Uni is an exciting time, and we are here to support you in managing your finances. See our savings and budgeting tips, making money at uni and much more!
Budgeting at University
Keeping on track of your finances at uni can be difficult, why not check our budget planning tools
These can help you find ways to:
- cut costs
- save you money
- meet your financial goals.
Looking for ways to cut down your expenses? We have some hints and tips to help you cut down on your spending.
Our My Money Manager tool gives information about where your money goes, advice on shopping smarter, cancelling subscriptions and much more.
According to the 2023 Student Money Survey, 82% of students worried about making ends meet.
Don’t forget to check for scholarships, grants, and bursaries with your university.
Take advantage of our student bank account and make use of our free 4-year railcard.
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Have you seen Santander Universities?
We have regular giveaways, as well as access to Open Academy, our free E-Learning and training platform.
UCAS - Money and student life
All about money, from budgeting to student discounts and student finance information.
Exam/Revision guide
Exams and coursework can be stressful. Here are a few tips to try out:
- Create a revision timetable
- Try 40 minutes revising, 10 minutes break
- Test yourself with your friends or family
- Try past exam papers
- Limit screen time when studying.
Or, check out UCAS for study skill tips on academic essay writing, answering exam questions, and much more.
Making money at uni
Making money at uni is a great way to increase your income. We have a side hustle toolkit that can help you start, scale up and grow your business! Check out our Breakthrough page for more resources, guidance and our side hustle toolkit
Santander X can help train you and give you the resources to grow your business. It will also give you the opportunity to join the wider community of side hustlers and grow your network.
Transferring your account
Once you graduate, we'll transfer your Edge Student account into an Edge Graduate account. The Edge Graduate account comes with an interest-free overdraft, up to £2,000 in the first year. The interest-free amount changes to £1,000 in the second year.
Writing your CV
Although it seems simple, it can be difficult to get a CV to stand out from the rest of the crowd. Here are some pointers to get you started:
- The document must be no longer than 2 A4 sheets of paper. Write in a common font such as Arial or Times New Roman
- Keep the layout simple and clear, using headings, equal spacing, and formatting (bold, italics). This will make it easier to read.
Check out UCAS guide to writing CV’s for more guidance.
Job interview skills
Before the interview, research the company and role to make sure you have the right skills and experience. Don’t worry if you don’t have relevant work experience; you may have transferrable skills from other roles that you can speak about, e.g. critical thinking.
When answering interview questions, use the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result). UCAS has an extensive guide on preparing for an interview.
Are you planning on renting as a student? We have some great tips on renting your first place while at uni.
Ways to rent
When looking for private uni accommodation, you have the option of renting directly through the landlord, or alternatively through a letting agent. Using a letting agent will reduce and eliminate any contact with the landlord themselves. Most cities will have letting agents focused on finding accommodation for students. Check with your university’s student accommodation department as they can guide you to the relevant agents.
Deposit
When looking for a place, be aware that if the property is <£50,000, the deposit cannot exceed 5 weeks rent. Think about what you can realistically afford, your student loan, savings, and any other earnings. It’s recommended that monthly rent should not exceed 35% of your earnings.
What to look out for
What is the tenancy length? Ideally, you'd have a 12-month tenancy to cover the academic year.
Check what bills are covered in your contract, for example: gas, electricity, water and council tax. Some landlords will cover all bills, some will cap them at a certain amount, and some will exclude bills completely from the contract. If the rent does not include bills, make sure that you factor this into your decision as it can increase your monthly spend.
Key tips
Be organised before trying to find a place. Landlords may carry out checks that involve providing valid ID, immigration status and visa information. You may also need a rent guarantor. If you don’t have a guarantor, you can contact shelter for more information.
For an extensive guide to renting, check out the How to rent: the checklist for renting in England
It’s important to have your student loan sorted before starting university.
A student loan will usually cover tuition fees (max £9,250 per annum) and give you a maintenance allowance based on various factors, such as household income.
For more information on student loans, check out Get the facts on student loans
How student loans are different from normal loans
Student loans are different to commercial loans because they're provided by the government with extra protection.
How to apply
Student Finance England is the most popular provider of student loans.
Interest/repaying
Interest rates are linked to inflation rates. This means that the interest of the student loan may increase. This will be relative to the price of other goods and services as well.
Your repayments will begin in April after you’ve finished your course, and only if you're earning more than the income threshold of £25,000.
These deductions will be made automatically by your employer. Repayments are cancelled after 40 years.