Take charge of your money and feel more confident about budgeting.
Starting university is an exciting time but managing your money can sometimes feel overwhelming at first. Don’t worry – our top tips will help you feel more in control and confident about your finances.
Creating a budget based on the money going in vs. the money you have going out can help you feel more confident starting uni or college. Having a budget doesn’t mean your money worries will all be sorted, but you’ll have a plan and always know where your money is going.
Consider ‘ring-fencing’ some of your maintenance loan in your student account and setting up a weekly transfer to a cash payment card. You can then use this to live on, making it easier to stick to your budget.
You could be eligible for more funding than you think.
Explore scholarships, bursaries, and grants matched to your background, achievements, or chosen course, and get support for your study and living costs.
What the difference between grants and bursaries? Are they similar to scholarships? How do you even apply for them? Find the information you need here.
Here we answer your top questions about scholarships, grants and bursaries.
Getting a part-time job is a great way to supplement your income while at uni or college. Have a look at part-time opportunities on and off-campus on your uni job portal or careers service.
You could also freelance while studying. Whether you’ve got writing, coding, digital skills, or anything else that’s in demand, you can monetise your talent. You might want to look at sites like Fiverr or Upwork.
If you love painting, ceramics, making macramé plant holders or painting and decorating, there’s someone somewhere who will want to pay for your talents. Sell completed projects on Facebook Marketplace, Etsy or Instagram.
And if you have a skill you can share with others, like teaching guitar, dancing or music, advertise online or list your services in a local Facebook group in your new city or town. You’ll need to take care of invoicing and provide necessary criminal reference checks, but it’ll be well worth it when you get paid to share your passion.
Working part-time can provide financial relief, but it's also important to keep a balance between work and study to avoid burnout. Most students find between 10 – 20 hours of work a week is doable while studying. Also, be sure to speak with your employer about your situation. They are generally flexible around student schedules, especially during exam season.
If you’re an international student on a visa, check your requirements before committing to a job as there may be limitations on the number of hours you can work.
There are tons of student discounts available in the UK. From travel and food to entertainment and shopping, student discounts can help you save money on everyday purchases. Many places offer discounts simply by showing your student ID, so always ask.
Most uni campuses have free or discounted resources for students. For example, gyms, recreational facilities, and student social events. Freshers’ week is a great chance to see what your uni or college has to offer. Sign up for your Student Union emails to keep in the know about what’s happening on campus.
Finding somewhere you'll be happy to live is an important part of uni life. If you’re debating student halls vs. private renting, it’s important to weigh up the pros and cons. Some student halls are all-inclusive, which helps you save in other areas, such as meals and heating.
However, living off-campus in shared housing is also a good option. Sharing rent and utility bills can significantly reduce overall costs, and it also helps you meet other students. Living a bit further from campus might be more affordable but check how much travel will cost as it can add up.
If you’re commuting to campus, look for student travel cards or discounted passes.
There’s a Student Oyster photocard in London, which can help you save 30%. And there are various Railcards, including the 16-25 Railcard (which includes mature students).
Plus, walking and biking are free ways to get around your city. Some local towns and cities have their own student discounts, so check it out.
Tesco reserves cheaper prices for its Clubcard customers. And it’s also worth shopping at strategic times of day Asda, Sainsbury’s and Aldi start ‘yellow stickering’ food around 19:00.
While you’re there, try supermarket own brands – they often have the same ingredients for a fraction of the price.
Too Good to Go works with retailers like Pret, Greggs, Asda, and Morrisons to offer bags of unsold food at cheaper prices at the end of every day.
Have a good time but don’t feel you always need to say yes to everything. If friends are going out but you’ve spent your weekly budget, tell them you can't make it.
The point of mapping out your expenses at the start of term is to help you assess how much you have to spend on ‘fun items’.
Before buying something, ask yourself if:
Microsoft Office Suite
Students and educators with academic email addresses can often snag Microsoft Office completely free. Just head to Microsoft's website, enter your school email, and sign in through your institution's portal. If you're eligible, you'll get access to the full Office suite plus 1TB of OneDrive storage.
Other free alternatives
Document editing: LibreOffice offers word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and more. It works with Microsoft files and runs on PC, Mac, and Linux.
Photo editing: Try Paint.net for simple edits (PC only), GIMP for advanced Photoshop-like features (PC/Mac), or Inkscape for graphics work (all platforms).
Media: VLC Player handles virtually any audio or video format, while Audacity is perfect for recording and editing sound. Both work across all major operating systems.
Always verify software compatibility with your device before downloading.
Check your parents' policy
Before buying insurance, see if you're already covered under your parents' home insurance. Many policies include a "temporarily removed from home" clause that protects your belongings while you're studying, as long as your parents' address remains your permanent home. Just check with them first, as any claims would go through their policy and could affect their premiums.
What about gadgets and mobile phones?
Standard home policies typically only cover items inside your accommodation. For laptops, phones, and other portable valuables, your parents might need to add "personal possessions" or "all risks" cover to their policy.
Getting your own policy
If your parents' insurance won't work, try specialist student insurers or comparison sites. Don't forget to mention any bikes when applying as they often need specific coverage.
Keep your door locked
Here's something important: most policies won't cover theft from shared accommodation unless there's forced entry into your room. Always lock your door, even for quick trips out.
Check out Blackbullion’s personal finance app and create a free account to start your financial wellbeing journey.