We asked current and recent students for their university money tips.
Sign up to student discount sites such as UNiDAYS and Student Beans, and always check them for discount codes and deals before you buy anything. Most places offer between 10 and 20% discount, and the savings can really add up. Zahra Onsori, City, University of London, journalism
Zahra Onsori: ‘Sign up to student discount sites.’ Photograph: Zahra Onsori
It might feel a bit old-school, but using cash on a night out really helped me stick to my budget. Bringing a set amount of cash stopped me overspending, especially with Apple Pay making it so easy to do so. Edinburgh nightlife is still majority cash-friendly spots which made this easy. Plus, it’s a good way to keep your phone safely tucked away in your bag, reducing the risk of losing or breaking it mid-night out. Tara Russell, University of Edinburgh, social anthropology (graduated 2024)
Tara Russell: ‘Use cash on a night out.’ Photograph: Tara Russell
Buy good quality items, even if they are more expensive. Over the years, I had to replace a lot of things because I often opted for the cheapest choice. The replacements add up, and it’s much more sustainable and cost-effective to choose high-quality bedding or kitchenware that will last beyond university years. Sabah Salam, University of York, English literature (2020-23)
Sabah Salam: ‘Buy good-quality items.’ Photograph: Sabah Salam
Make the most of the chances you are already paying for, so yes, attend your lectures, but also join societies. Whatever you are interested in, whether it’s sports, languages or student theatre, there will almost certainly be a student society for it and it’s one of the easiest and most subsidised ways to pick up a new skill as an adult.
Also, check at the beginning of the year what opportunities your university might fund. Lots of universities have grants that help students to travel and complete internships abroad. You don’t want to get to the end of three years and wish you had made the most of when your university might have paid for your flight to China. Sara Rourke, University of Oxford, English language and literature
Sara Rourke: ‘Check what opportunities your university might fund.’ Photograph: Sara Rourke
When it comes to nights out, I’d recommend trying to premeditate your spending: look online at the venues you’re visiting and search for menus and offers – that way you can budget towards how much you’ll spend at places and avoid nasty surprises. Alfie Howlett, University of Gloucestershire, journalism
Alfie Howlett: ‘Premeditate your spending.’ Photograph: Alfie Howlett
Though not all universities offer it, sharing a room in the first year can be a great way to save money – for me it more than halved my rent (I spent just £3,000 for the whole year) and gave me a best friend to go out clubbing with. While it certainly isn’t for everyone, you may find it to be a fun and cost-effective way to avoid the sky-high rents that students normally have to face. Rohan Sathyamoorthy, University of Bath, politics and international relations
