How To Save Money In The UK As A Student

Hey there! So you have just arrived in the UK for your studies—first of all, congratulations! Whether you’re in London, Manchester, Glasgow, or a smaller university town, you’re in for a great experience. But let’s be real for a second—studying in the UK can get expensive fast, and if you’re not careful, you might find yourself stretching those pounds way too thin before term ends.

Don’t worry, though. I’ve got your back. In this guide, we are going to talk about how to save money in the UK as a student, not in a vague, “cut your coffee” way, but with real, usable tips that students like you can put into action today.

Let us begin, shall we?

Table of Contents

Save Money in the UK as a Student – Here is How

1. Understand Where Your Money Is Going First

Before you can save money, you need to know how you’re spending it. The UK can be full of financial surprises, so tracking your expenses from day one is crucial.

Action Steps:

Use apps like Monzo, Revolut, or Emma to track your daily spending.
Create a budget—include rent, groceries, travel, data plans, books, subscriptions, and entertainment.
Categorize your spending weekly and cut back where possible.

Being aware of your spending habits is the first and most important step in knowing how to save money in the UK as a student.

2. Accommodation: Choose Smart, Not Fancy

Accommodation will likely eat the biggest chunk of your budget. If you are not careful, you could spend up to 70% of your monthly income or allowance just on rent.

How to Save:

University Halls vs. Shared Housing: First-year students often go for uni halls, which are convenient but pricey. Consider moving to a shared house (HMO) from your second year. Use websites like Spareroom, Rightmove, or Zoopla.
Location Matters: Living a bit farther from city centres or campuses can be cheaper—just make sure you calculate travel costs.
All-Inclusive Bills: Some rentals offer utilities included. Compare total costs before signing anything.

Pro tip: Don’t forget to read your tenancy agreement carefully—know your rights and responsibilities.

3. Cook Your Food—Seriously

Eating out often or depending on takeaways is a quick way to go broke. A £10 meal here, a £3 coffee there… it adds up!

Money-Saving Food Tips:

Buy in bulk from stores like ASDA, Aldi, Lidl, or even online from Amazon Pantry.
Meal prep for the week—cook large portions and freeze meals.
Invest in basic kitchen tools: a rice cooker, microwave, or blender can save you time and money.
Use discount apps like Too Good To Go or Olio to get cheap (or free!) surplus food from local shops and restaurants.

Also, remember: university campuses often have microwaves. Bring your lunch!

4. Travel Cheap or Even Free

Getting around in the UK can be expensive—unless you know the tricks.

Public Transport Tips:

Get a 16–25 Railcard (or a mature student card if you qualify). It gives you 1/3 off train fares.
Use bus passes or student travel cards like the Oyster card in London with the 18+ Student Discount.
Book in advance when traveling by train. Use apps like Trainline or National Rail.
Consider a bike for short distances—cheaper and healthier!

If you’re in London, walk more. Google Maps is your best friend.

5. Learn the Art of Student Discounts

The UK is a student-friendly country, and almost every major brand offers discounts.

What You Need:

Student ID
UNiDAYS, TOTUM, and Student Beans apps—download them now!

Where will you save?

Clothing (ASOS, Topshop, Boohoo)
Food (McDonald’s, Pizza Express)
Tech (Apple, Dell, HP)
Entertainment (Spotify, Amazon Prime Student, cinemas)
Subscriptions (Microsoft Office is often free through your uni)

Tip: Always ask, “Do you offer a student discount?”—you’d be surprised.

6. Find a Part-Time Job or Freelance Gigs

If you’re on a student visa, you’re allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during term time. Make use of it!

Good Job Options:

Campus jobs (library, cafés, student unions)
Tutoring
Retail (many stores prefer hiring students)
Freelancing (graphic design, writing, social media management)

Use platforms like Indeed, Reed, or StudentJob UK. If you have a skill, monetize it.

7. Buy Second-Hand or Rent When You Can

There is no need to buy everything brand new in the UK. From books to bikes, second-hand is the way to go.

Where to Look:

Facebook Marketplace – for furniture, bikes, etc.
eBay, Vinted, Depop – for clothes and accessories
World of Books or AbeBooks – for cheap second-hand textbooks
Uni noticeboards – students often sell or give away things at the end of the term

Also, consider renting formal wear or costumes instead of buying.

8. Don’t Let Subscriptions Drain You

It is easy to forget about that “free trial” you signed up for. Before you know it, it is eating £10 a month from your account.

Quick Fixes:

Review all active subscriptions every month.
Cancel what you don’t need.
Share accounts with trusted friends (Netflix, Spotify Family, etc.).
Use student versions where possible (Amazon Prime Student is half the price).

This one habit alone can save you hundreds of pounds a year.

9. Health and Wellness: Use NHS and University Services

Healthcare in the UK is free through the NHS (National Health Service) if you paid the Immigration Health Surcharge as part of your visa.

Save on Health Costs:

Register with a GP as soon as you arrive.
Use walk-in clinics and sexual health services (free and confidential).
Buy generic medications from pharmacies like Boots or Superdrug instead of branded ones.

Your university also likely offers:

Free counselling
Fitness classes
Mental health support

Use these services—you’re paying for them in your tuition anyway.

10. Textbooks, Software, and Study Materials

Don’t buy brand-new textbooks unless you have to. Often, they’re only used for one chapter.

Better Options:

Use the university library (online and in-person).
Ask seniors or classmates for second-hand books.
Find PDFs legally through open-access resources.
Use Google Scholar, ResearchGate, JSTOR, and PubMed for academic research.

Also, your university may offer free access to:

Microsoft Office 365
Grammarly Premium
Adobe Creative Suite

Check with your IT department before paying for any software.

11. Mindset: Your Financial Attitude Will Make or Break You

Now this part’s important. Saving money in the UK as a student isn’t just about finding discounts—it’s a mindset.

Things to Keep in Mind:

Just because your classmates are spending doesn’t mean you should.
Delayed gratification pays off. You don’t need the latest iPhone right now.
Learn basic financial literacy. Watch YouTube videos, follow finance bloggers, and educate yourself.

Stay grounded. Your future self will thank you.

12. Take Advantage of Free Events and Activities

The UK is full of free experiences—you just have to look!

Free Fun Ideas:

Museum visits (British Museum, Natural History Museum, and more)
Free walking tours
University societies and events
Local community festivals
Student union movie nights or games nights

Also, check Eventbrite and Meetup for free workshops, talks, or social meetups.

13. Use Cashback and Reward Apps

You can earn money while spending it. Yes, really.

Recommended Apps:

TopCashback – get money back on purchases
Quidco – similar to TopCashback
Receipt Hog – scan your grocery receipts for points
Airtime Rewards – earn credit off your phone bill

It is not much at first, but it adds up over time.

14. Don’t Ignore Financial Support Opportunities

Many students do ot realize that universities in the UK offer financial help even to international students.

What to Look Out For:

Hardship funds
Scholarships for academic performance or leadership
Bursaries for specific programs or nationalities
Essay or project competitions with cash prizes

Ask your student support office or the international students’ office. Don’t assume you’re not eligible.

Conclusion

So there you have it—a down-to-earth, practical guide on how to save money in the UK as a student. The UK is an amazing place to study, and you don’t need to break the bank to make the most of it.

Remember, it is all about being intentional with your money. Track it, question your purchases, seek value, and live within your means. You don’t need to deprive yourself—just be smart.

You’re not alone in this. Every student is figuring it out. Keep learning, keep adapting, and most importantly, enjoy the journey.

Quick Recap Checklist: How to Save Money in the UK as a Student

✅ Track your spending with apps
✅ Share housing to reduce rent
✅ Cook and meal prep
✅ Use public transport discounts
✅ Grab every student discount you can
✅ Work part-time or freelance
✅ Buy second-hand when possible
✅ Review and cancel unused subscriptions
✅ Register with the NHS and use uni services
✅ Get free or discounted study tools
✅ Attend free events
✅ Use cashback and rewards apps
✅ Apply for grants, bursaries, and help

If this helped, share it with a fellow student. And hey—if you’ve got your money-saving tips for student life in the UK, feel free to drop them in the comments below!

How to Save Money in the UK as a Student

Save Money in the UK as a Student – Here is How