The best freebies for student bank accounts in 2024
One great thing about heading off to uni (other than finally moving out) is that you can get free cash (and no need to pay it back) or other freebies when you sign up for a new student bank account.
We’ve gone into detail about which current account is best, including which ones offer the biggest 0% overdrafts, but if you just want to check out the freebies, here are some of the best student bank welcome offers in 2024.
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Best welcome offers
NatWest or RBS Student Account: £100 cash
NatWest and RBS are both offering £100 in cash and a 4-year Tastecard for students that sign up for their student accounts this year.
How to get the £100
To get the £100, you need to sign up for a NatWest or RBS Student Account between 15 July 2024 and when this offer is withdrawn – this was at the end of November in 2023.
You can’t get it if you’ve received a student offer from NatWest or RBS since 1 July 2020.
When will I get the £100?
As long as you’re eligible, you’ll get the £100 cash within 10 working days of meeting the above criteria.
Nationwide student account: £100 cash and £120 in Just Eat vouchers
Nationwide is offering £100 cash and £10 per month in Just Eat vouchers for first-year uni students who sign up for its student account this year.
How to get the £100 cash and vouchers
To get the £100 cash and monthly Just Eat vouchers, you need to sign up for a FlexStudent account after 16 July 2024 and pay in £500 by 13 December 2024.
You can’t get it if you had a FlexStudent or FlexGraduate on 15 July 2024 or if you opened a FlexStudent account last year and got the previous cashback offer.
When will I get the Nationwide £100?
As long as you’re eligible, you’ll get the £100 cash within 14 days of depositing £500 or more into the account. You’ll get an email with details of how to claim the vouchers.
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Santander student account: free 4-year railcard and tuition fee competition
Santander is giving away free 4-year 16-25 railcards to students who open a Santander Edge Student account. You can also win up to 3 Years’ worth of tuition fees.
How to get the Santander student railcard
To get the free railcard you need to open a Santander Edge Student account and register for online banking. You should then receive a code by secure message to your online banking account within 5 working days.
You’ll need to enter this code on the railcard website within 60 days of the email.
When will I get the Santander railcard?
You’ll get a code in your online baking inbox within 5 working days of opening the account. If you choose a digital railcard, you can use it right away. If you choose a physical card, it’ll take around 5 days to arrive.
How to be entered to win your tuition
To be entered into the draw to win your tuition, you need to open a Santander Edge Student account and deposit £500 between 15 July and 30 September 2024. The account needs to remain open in order for you to receive the winnings if you win.
There are 50 prizes available: 20 students will each win £27,750 and 30 students will each win £9,250. The winners will be randomly selected by 14 October and notified by email before 21 October.
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Not announced yet
HSBC Student Account: £100 cash (ended)
HSBC hasn’t announced its 2024 student welcome offer yet
HSBC is giving away £100 in cash and a free one-year subscription to Headspace when you open an HSBC Student Account, plus you can get an extra £20 or £25 cashback if you sign up through a cashback site, detailed below.
How to get the HSBC £100 cashback
To get the £100 in cash you be (or going into) in your first year of university need to open or upgrade your account to a HSBC Student Bank Account and make at least 5 qualifying transactions using your HSBC debit card within 30 days of opening the account. We’ll explain later what a qualifying transaction is.
When will I get the £100?
You’ll get the £100 into your account within 30 days of meeting all the eligibility criteria, plus you’ll get your voucher for your 1-year Headspace subscription within 45 days and you’ll need to have redeemed it by 31 March 2024.
What is Headspace?
Headspace is a mindfulness app that has guided daily meditations. It’s designed to be used daily to help reduce stress. In general, Headspace is a great app and it’s a nice little perk, but with the annual plan costing £49.99 per year, remember that this is only a saving if you’d have bought it anyway.
Lloyds Student Account: Get £100 cash (ended)
Lloyds hasn’t announced its 2024 student welcome offer yet
Lloyds is offering £100 in cash for students that sign up for their student accounts this year.
How to get the £100
To get the £100, you need to sign up for a Lloyds Student Account between 1 August 2023 and 31 October 2023 and deposit at least £500 into your account by 31 October 2023.
You can’t get it if you already have a Lloyds Student Account.
When will I get the £100?
As long as you’re eligible, you’ll get the £100 cash by 30 November 2023.
Halifax Student Account: Get £100 cash (ended)
Halifax hasn’t announced its 2024 student welcome offer yet
Halifax is offering £100 in cash for students that sign up for their student accounts this year.
How to get the £100
To get the £100, you need to sign up for a Halifax Student Account between 1 August 2023 and 31 October 2023 and deposit at least £500 into your account by 31 October 2023.
You can’t get it if you already have a Halifax Student Account.
When will I get the £100?
As long as you’re eligible, you’ll get the £100 cash by 30 November 2023.