It’s that time of year again where students are looking at setting up a student bank account before they start university.
The choice can feel overwhelming as there are lots of options and each bank offers different perks and overdrafts, so how do you pick the right one for you?
Well, if you’re wondering what your best options are for a student bank account, then look no further as The Tab has got you covered.
So without further ado, these are the seven best student bank accounts in 2025, according to their perks.
7. Starling
Whilst Starling doesn’t have a student specific account, it does offer a current account which is a good student option.
Starling’s current account offers spending insights, as well as no monthly fees.
Students may also be eligible for an arranged overdraft of up to £5,000, with no impact to their credit score. So, if you aren’t interested in any other perks and are just looking for a standard current account, Starling is a good option.
6. Barclays
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Barclays’ student account doesn’t offer any particular freebies or cash for students who sign up. However, the overdraft options are similar to other bank accounts.
Students can have up to £500 interest free arranged overdraft in their first term, up to £1,000 for the rest of year one and up to £1,500 in year two and beyond.
It’s worth noting that customers must use this account as their main account where your student loan and/or income is paid into.
The overdraft options are beneficial for students but the limit isn’t as high as other student accounts and there aren’t any other specific perks of opening an account.
5. HSBC
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HSBC might not offer material freebies but its overdraft options are also great for students. It offers up to £1,000 in interest free overdraft and students can request for this to increase in £2,000 in year two and £3,000 in year three. But, please note this is subject to status.
You can apply for this HSBC account when you’re 18 and over, and being a HSBC customer also provides offers on shopping, dining, travel, experiences and much more.
4. Lloyds
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Did I hear cash and free takeaways?
When you open a new student bank account with Lloyds, you can get £100 cash and up to £90 in Deliveroo vouchers. Students can access this offer if they open the account between 1st August and 31st October 2025.
Lloyds also provides everyday offers where customers can get up to 15 per cent cashback on shopping, tech, clothes and much more.
Lloyds also offers an interest free arranged overdraft of up to £500 for the first six months from the account opening. Students can then apply for an overdraft of up to £1,500 in years one, two and three, and then up to £2,000 in years four, five and six.
3. Santander
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One of the best options for a student bank account is the Santander Edge Student current account.
The biggest Santander perk is a free four-year 16-25 Railcard, which is worth £115. The railcard will save you one third on rail travel in Great Britain – perfect for saving money on trips home over the year!
Opening this student account also gives you access to Santander Boosts too, where you can get even more rewards.
Santander’s student account has a similar arranged overdraft limit to other accounts on this list, with a £1,500 arranged overdraft limit from years one, two and three of study. Students doing a four-year course will also have access to a £1,800 arranged overdraft limit and a £2,000 limit for a five-year course.
Santander’s account ranks highly on this list for the good overdraft limit and the railcard benefit, as it will save most students lots of money on travel whilst they’re at university.
2. NatWest
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NatWest also offers an impressive freebie for students as well as £85 in cash.
Students who open an account will also receive a four-year Tastecard (worth £79.99 per year). The Tastecard is available to use at thousands of restaurants and coffee shops across the UK. In participating restaurants, students can receive 25 per cent off the total bill, two for one meals, or 50 per cent off food. Also, the newest Tastecard addition is 25 per cent off barista-made drinks, including at Black Sheep and Caffé Nero.
NatWest also offers a great overdraft option for students, with up to £2,000 on interest free overdraft. The only limit is that this overdraft is limited to £500 in term one of year one. Students can apply for up to £3,250 interest-free from year three onwards too.
The combination of cash, a Tastecard and a higher overdraft limit than other banks make this a great option for students.
1. Nationwide
Nationwide’s FlexStudent account has two key perks: £100 cash and £120 in Just Eat vouchers (students receive a £10 voucher each month).
Students have the option to refer a friend too, where you can receive another £40 in Just Eat vouchers. All you need to do to receive these offers is open the account and pay in £500 before 12th December 2025. We all know students love a takeaway so Nationwide is a great student friendly option.
Its overdraft facilities are similar to other accounts, as students can apply to borrow up to £1,000 in their first year. This becomes up to £2,000 in second year, then £3,000 in third year. The overdraft limit is one of the highest for students on a three-year course, alongside HSBC. This is another reason why Nationwide tops the ranking and is a very popular option for students.
Featured image via Canva/Santander/Nationwide/Lloyds/Starling
