Student budget advice

A little planning now can make a big difference later. Learn how to budget, save, and stay on top of your uni finances—without the stress.

Worried about making your money last at uni?

Let’s be real—managing money at uni isn’t always easy. Between rent, groceries, nights out, and unexpected costs, it can feel like your bank balance has a mind of its own. But don’t stress! With the right budgeting tricks, saving hacks, and a solid plan, you can make your money go further and still enjoy uni life.

Whether you're starting from scratch or just need a few tips, we’ve got everything you need to spend smarter and stress less.

Planning ahead

Set yourself up for financial success

Student finance guide

Wondering about student finance and how it works? We break down all you need to know about student loans, grants, bursaries, scholarships and more.

03 Feb 2025

A cartoon icon of a wallet with money inside of it

University tuition fees in England rise to £9,535 – what does this mean for you?

Tuition fees for undergraduates in England will rise by £285 for the 2025/26 academic year. We’ve taken a look to see what this could mean for you and how you could still afford uni.

31 Jan 2025

A student asking a question in a lecture

Common myths about student loans

Whether you’re a current university student or you’re just about to leave college and are considering higher education, it’s likely that you’ll be concerned about one thing – the ins and outs of student finance.

30 Jan 2025

What university financial support is available for asylum seekers

Pursuing higher education as an asylum seeker in the UK can feel overwhelming, especially with so many statuses, policies, and documents to navigate. If you have applied for refugee status and are waiting to find out if it has been granted, then there are several funding options in place to help you access university. This guide explains what support is available, and how to apply for it.

27 Jan 2025

Student finance for refugees - what you need to know

If you have been granted refugee status, discretionary leave, humanitarian protection, or another form of leave to remain in the UK, then you are eligible for financial support for higher education. This guide explains the process of applying for student finance and affording university as a refugee.

26 Jan 2025

Students eating in a university cafeteria

What are unis doing about the cost of living crisis?

Students feel the cost of living crunch as much as anyone, however you may be surprised to learn how much universities across the UK are doing to help out.

25 Jan 2025

A student looking at a calendar on a laptop

How and when to reapply for student finance

A student loan is a wonderful thing. It covers tuition fees and living costs, giving you the time to focus on your studies and the freedom to explore your newfound independence. For those of you who are wondering if you need to reapply for student finance each year, the answer is yes, you do. It’s quite straightforward, but you won’t want to miss out, so read on to discover how and when to reapply.

23 Jan 2025

How student loan repayment works

Student loan repayments can sound daunting, but with our useful guide, you’ll see that it’s actually quite manageable and straightforward. Whether you’re a sixth form student looking ahead to university, or halfway through writing your dissertation and already applying for graduate jobs, having a clear understanding of how and when you'll repay your loan is key.

22 Jan 2025

A mortarboard on top of a bunch of coins

What are tuition and maintenance loans?

The world of student funding and finance can be tricky to navigate, so we’ve written this guide to student loans to give you all the advice you need.

17 Jan 2025

Affordable uni cities across the UK

Living on a student budget can be tricky, so we’ve taken a look at some of the UK’s most affordable university cities so your student budget can stretch further.

15 Jan 2025

Making your budget

Your money, your rules—just with a little more structure

A student doing her shopping in a supermarket

How to do a weekly shop like your mum's, but on a student budget

Wondering how to feed yourself on your student loan without just eating toast for three months? Here's some top tips on how to stack your cupboards with more than beans and instant noodles...

01 Feb 2025

Why you should get a student bank account

It’s a good idea to plan ahead for uni, and getting a student bank account is a great place to start.

30 Jan 2025

How to make your student budget and stick to it

Managing your finances as a student can be challenging, especially if it’s your first time handling money independently. However, creating and sticking to a student budget is essential for making your money last and avoiding unnecessary stress. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you set up a budget, track your spending, and stick to it.

23 Jan 2025

Six things no one tells you about money before uni

When it comes to managing your cash, forget the trial and error: Save the Student reveals winning strategies for getting – and keeping hold of – your money at university.

17 Jan 2025

Money Advice for Students

You’ve got a lot to think about when you go to university, and budgeting for student life can be a worry for many. Any grants or loans you receive might not be enough to cover everything.

03 Jan 2025

Saving money

Because every penny counts—literally

Free things to do during the winter months

During the winter months, it’s tempting to curl up and stay indoors, but you’d be surprised at how many activities and attractions are happening during the holiday season that won’t hurt your bank balance either.

13 Jan 2025

A piggy bank with a mortarboard on a desk with a calculator

Money hacks for new uni students

Being a student is awesome, fun, hard work, mad and unfortunately expensive. Now more than ever students need to know how to scrimp, save and generally just be more frugal. Student Money Saver explain how to make those pennies last…

10 Jan 2025

A student putting some coins in a piggy bank

How to save money on items you need to buy at university

Here's our best tips for saving money on the essential items you'll need during your time at university...

09 Jan 2025

A group of uni students having fun in a park

How to socialise for less at university

Have you run out of money for the month? Never fear, you don’t have to hide away at home alone. There are lots of great ways to socialise on the cheap!

06 Jan 2025

A group of students using a university library

The best resources for saving money at university

Knowledge is power as a great person once said. Though once you become a student, it’s also rather expensive! Here’s some handy resources to help you stretch your budget even further…

24 Dec 2024

Additional money resources

From student finance to scholarships, here are some resources to help you stay on top of all things money

Student cost of living calculator

Get a personalised breakdown of your uni living costs in minutes

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Student finance

Everything you need to know about loans, grants, and repayments

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Accommodation

Explore advice around different options and ways to save on housing

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