Latest student bank account offers for 2025

Students can access a range of perks, from exclusive vouchers to cash bonuses, as well as interest-free overdrafts.

University can be a challenging time for your finances. Whether you’re a seasoned student or a fresher gearing up for your first year, any extra bonuses offered by a student current account can be a great way to help stretch your money further.

These offers tend to come with even more perks for those looking to get a head start on their finances before September, though are typically only available for a limited time, so it’s worth comparing accounts before it’s too late.

“Students may be enticed by the free perks on a student account, but it is essential they compare the whole bundle alongside the 0% overdraft in the first instance,” explained Rachel Springall, Finance Expert at Moneyfactscompare.co.uk.

Most providers have now launched their deals for the upcoming academic year, so read on to find out more and stay tuned as we update this page with any new deals landing in the coming weeks.

Get a £100 cash bonus

Nationwide BS was one of the first providers to enter the student current account arena this year after it revived its popular FlexStudent account earlier this month. Students who open the account before 12 December 2025 and pay in a minimum of £500 can now receive a £100 cashback boost to their finances, as well as £10 a month in Just East vouchers for the first year. Those that refer a friend can then receive an additional £40 of these vouchers (£20 each to a maximum of two friends) provided they also meet the criteria.

This is on top of the account’s underlying benefits, offering holders zero foreign transaction fees when using its debit card abroad, and access to Nationwide BS’ member-exclusive Flex Regular Saver. Students can also benefit from an interest-free overdraft to help manage their money, which increases for each year of study, starting at £1,000 in year one, and building to £3,000 by year three.

Discounts on thousands of restaurants

Meanwhile, students prioritising an interest-free buffer for their cash may wish to consider NatWest’s Student account and the Student account from Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS). These options offer overdrafts of up to £2,000 for those in their first year, however, note this is restricted to £500 during the first term. After starting your third year, you’ll then be able to apply to increase this limit to £3,250 – the longest interest-free overdraft available so far this year.

Having also recently launched incentives, both providers now come with £85 cash bonuses for applying to either account, and access to a tastecard membership for up to four years. For students looking to save when eating out, this card comes with an array of discounts, including two-for-one meals or 25% of the total bill across thousands of restaurants in the UK. The membership can also be used to get money off certain attractions and entertainment, and for 2025 has been extended to also include 25% off barista-made drinks.

Keep in mind that, unlike the Nationwide BS deal, this deal can be withdrawn at any time, and you won’t be eligible if you benefited from a NatWest student offer since 1 July 2021.

A £100 cash bonus, and £90 in Deliveroo vouchers

From 1 August 2025, Lloyds Bank will also be entering the student account offer scene with its Student Account, as will its other brands, including Halifax’s Student current account and Bank of Scotland’s Student Account. Students who open these accounts when the offer becomes available next month can receive a £100 cash incentive, as well as £15 a month in Deliveroo vouchers for the first six months – a total of £90 to spend on takeaways. On top of this, students signing up for a Deliveroo Students plan when their term starts can access exclusive benefits, including paying no delivery charges on orders over £15 in restaurants or £25 for retail or grocery shopping with Deliveroo Plus Silver.

To be eligible for the cashback offer, students must pay in a minimum of £500 into the new account before the end date on 31 October 2025; they’ll then need to make at least 20 qualifying transactions each month to get the Deliveroo vouchers. In terms of overdraft facilities, Halifax offers up to £1,500 interest-free for the duration of your studies, while the options from both Lloyds Bank and Bank of Scotland can boost this amount to £2,000 for years four to six.

Don’t be swayed by incentives alone

These offers can be head turners for students looking to kick off university with a little extra cash, however, it’s important not to be sold by these rewards alone.

For many living away from home for the first time, money management is crucial, and it can be “a little too easy to build up debts to cover necessities”, as Springall points out. For this reason, it can often be more useful to prioritise features like arranged overdrafts, which could help you manage any debts more effectively.

“The most generous overdrafts come from NatWest, HSBC and Nationwide Building Society, which could be a lifeline for students who need to borrow during their years of study,” commented Springall.

“However, taking on some part-time work in between their studies to have a bit of disposable income is wise, because an overdraft will need to be paid back,” she added.

Indeed, unlike the aforementioned accounts, HSBC’s Student Bank Account package has currently yet to be updated for 2025, nevertheless its overdraft facility remains a competitive option – students can borrow up to £1,000 interest-free which, depending on your circumstances, could rise to £3,000 by your third year. For those who still want more traditional incentives, holders can still find discount and exclusive offers on dining, leisure and shopping through the HSBC home&Away scheme.

Other offers available

Alongside HSBC, students can still choose between an array of other student accounts that may still be worth comparing despite not currently offering any new sweeteners for the year. For example, those travelling far and wide for their studies may find Santander’s offer of a free 16-25 Railcard (valid for four years) a useful inclusion, which comes with its own range of extras. Its Edge Student current account also comes with a £1,500 interest-free overdraft for the first three years of study (rising to £2,000 by year five), and holders can earn cashback, prize-draws and other offers through Santander Boosts.

Barclays Bank continues to offer its Student Additions account whereby university-goers can benefit from a £500 0% overdraft which rises to £1,500 by the second year of study. While there are no added extras thrown in, account holders will be eligible to sign up for the provider’s Blue Rewards scheme for £5 per month, netting them an array of perks, including access to exclusive savings rates and an Apple TV+ subscription.

Otherwise, students can earn a considerable 5.00% AER on balances up to £500 with TSB’s Student account, which may come in handy for those without a dedicated savings account. Likewise, holders can also benefit from an interest-free overdraft facility, limited to only £500 for the first six months, £1,000 for months seven to nine, before reaching the maximum threshold of £1,500 from the 10th month onwards.