University Student Guide – UK

A new student’s guide to the best books, hangouts, sales, and jobs to help pay the bills and cover food costs.

Fun, nerve-wracking, difficult, and brilliant for a student! Your parents can rest easy knowing that when the time comes for you to go out on your own, you will return home running.

At the same time, you make some of your closest friends and experience things you’ll never forget. It’s not cheap, and it’s not fun to be short on funds while also needing direction and being unable to afford the miraculous appearance of hot meals and freshly ironed bedding.

Here’s a list of where students can find those significant savings, helpful information, and the tools they’ll need (give it two months, and you won’t remember what iron is).

Banks & Bills

UK banks that support students (Because we often go into our overdrafts)

Bank	Description
Bank of Scotland	A Scottish bank
Santander	A global bank headquartered in Spain
Natwest	A major retail and commercial bank in the UK
RBS (Royal Bank of Scotland)	A subsidiary of Natwest Group
Halifax	A British bank operating as a division of Bank of Scotland

Cook Books

These books are rated by far the student cooking survival escapes!

Cookbook Title	Author	Description
“The Ultimate Student Cookbook”	Fiona Beckett	Offers a range of easy-to-make recipes using affordable ingredients. Provides cooking tips and techniques for students.
“Student Eats: Fast, Cheap, Healthy – The Best Tried-and-Tested Recipes for Students”	Rachel Phipps	Focuses on quick, nutritious, and budget-friendly recipes suitable for busy students.
“The Hungry Student Cookbook”	Charlotte Pike	Contains a variety of recipes with step-by-step instructions and cooking hacks for students with limited time and resources.
“Nosh for Students: A Fun Student Cookbook”	Joy May	Presents a collection of straightforward recipes that cater to student tastes and limited cooking equipment.
“Good Food: Easy Student Dinners”	Good Food Magazine	Offers a selection of easy-to-follow recipes that are suitable for students cooking for themselves.
“The 5-Ingredient College Cookbook”	Pamela Ellgen	Features recipes that require only five main ingredients, perfect for simplifying the cooking process for students.
“Cooking on a Bootstrap: Over 100 simple, budget recipes”	Jack Monroe	Provides a range of recipes that focus on using low-cost ingredients while still creating tasty meals.

Appliances & Household

Check out your checklist here! Print it off and start your packing!

Shopping

My days of living off of Waitrose, M&S, and my mother’s home-cooked dinners are over now that I’m a broke college student.

Shop	Description
Aldi	Discount supermarket known for low prices and good quality.
Lidl	Offers affordable groceries, including fresh produce and bakery items.
Tesco Value Range	Tesco’s budget-friendly line with essentials and everyday items.
Sainsbury’s Basics	Sainsbury’s range of competitively priced essentials and groceries.
Asda Smart Price	Asda’s range of budget products covering different food categories.
Morrisons Savers	Morrisons’ range with affordable options across various food items.
Iceland	Specializes in frozen food and provides frozen and fresh groceries.
Co-op Essentials	Co-operative Food’s range featuring affordable everyday items.
Poundland	Offers a selection of food items for just £1 each.
Farmers’ Markets & Local Shops	Local markets and smaller shops often have competitive prices.

Discounts & Take-Out

There will always be mornings after a hefty drinking session when the thought of doing anything more than lying in bed seems overwhelming. Helpful; thank you!

Category	Option	Description
Discounts	Student Discounts	Many restaurants, cafes, and shops offer discounts to students. Always carry your student ID to take advantage of these deals.
	Loyalty Programs	Join loyalty programs to earn rewards, discounts, or free items over time.
	Coupons and Offers	Keep an eye out for coupons in local newspapers, online platforms, or loyalty apps for potential savings.
	Happy Hour Specials	Some eateries offer reduced prices on food and drinks during specific hours.
Take-Out	Food Delivery Apps	Use apps like UberEats, Deliveroo, or Just Eat to order food from local restaurants for delivery to your doorstep.
	Click & Collect	Many restaurants and fast-food chains offer the option to order online and pick up your meal in person.
	Take-Out Menus	Check local restaurants’ websites for take-out menus and call in your order for quick pick-up.
	Fast Food Chains	Fast-food restaurants often have efficient take-out services for a quick meal on the go.
	Ready-to-Eat Meals	Grocery stores often have pre-made meals and salads that can be a convenient take-out option.
	Local Cafes and Bakeries	Cafes and bakeries often provide take-out for sandwiches, pastries, and coffee.

Student Discount Cards

Program	Description
16-25 Railcard	Costs £30 and provides a 1/3 discount on rail fares across Great Britain for students aged 16-25.
Student Beans	Offers various student discount offers and voucher codes. Sign up to access the latest discounts.
UNIDAYS	Provides free access to student discounts with major retailers like ASOS, Topshop, and more.
NUS (National Union of Students)	Offers a range of discounts, including 25% off student ticket prices at ODEON cinemas.

These programs are designed to provide students with discounts on a wide range of products and services, from transportation to entertainment and fashion. It’s important to check the terms and conditions for each program and make the most of the discounts available to you as a student.

Student Advantage Card – Get your free Student Card today and save up to 40% at all your favorite brands…. Student Discount Search Tool.

Student Job/Intern sites

Platform	Description
UNI Lotto	Participate in Unilotto, a student-developed lottery designed for students.
Student Jobs	StudentJob UK offers part-time jobs, temporary positions, and internships for students across the UK.
Student Beans Jobs	Find the latest job opportunities for students through Student Beans.
E4s	A highly visited UK student jobs website offering part-time jobs, temporary positions, and internships.
Gradintel	Connects students and graduates with employment and further study opportunities, transforming recruitment.
GRB	A specialist recruitment service for student jobs, internships, and placements.

These platforms provide students with opportunities to find part-time jobs, internships, and other employment-related options. Be sure to explore each platform to find the best opportunities that match your interests and goals.