A free 4 year tastecard
A student bank account is a current account designed for those heading off to further education. Find out about additional benefits and apply for a student bank account.
On this page
Student account offer Open in new window
What is a Student account? Open in new window
More ways to pay Open in new window
Understanding Student overdrafts Open in new window
Student FAQs Open in new window
Ready to apply Open in new window
- To apply, you must be 17+ and have been living in the UK for at least 3 years. Online applications only.
- You need to be a full time undergraduate student (on at least a 2-year course at a UK University/College) or you need to be completing a full time postgraduate or nursing course lasting a year or more. You can apply within 6 months of your course start date.
- To confirm you're a student and eligible for this account, we require your unique 16 digit UCAS code.
- You must use your student account as your main account by depositing student finance, wages, or other regular income into it.
- If you have received a student offer from NatWest at any time from 1st July 2020 you will not be eligible. NatWest have the right to withdraw this offer at any time.
Why open a Student bank account?
Whether you’re already enjoying university life or planning ahead and thinking about your first year on campus, you could apply to open a Student account with NatWest today.
What else could you get?
Offer - free tastecard for 4 years (worth £29.99 per year)*.
Interest-free overdraft -get an overdraft of up to £2,000 from year one (Limited to £500 in term one, year one) with an instant online decision. Students can apply for up to £3,250 interest free from year three onwards.
No monthly Student current account fees.
Award-winning
This account packs a punch, that's why it's award winning.
YourMoney.com voted NatWest as 'Best everyday current account provider', plus this current account was given 5 stars by the Defaqto experts in 2024.
Open a bank account today Open in new window
What is a Student bank account?
AStudent bank accountis a type of current account that’s specifically designed for students. They typically work in the same way as a standard current account, but with added features, such as interest-free overdrafts and a range of discounts and offers. Your student account will automatically switch to a graduate account when you finish studying.
Student bank account offers
Student Bank Account | Student Accounts UK | NatWest
Apply for a NatWest Student bank account and receive a free 4 year tastecard worth £29.99 per year*
*Annual tastecard value excluding any offers. Correct as at 2nd October 2023.
Ready to apply Open in new window
tastecard
What is a tastecard?
Tastecard is a discount card which offers you 2 for 1 on meals, 50% off food or 25% off food and drinks at thousands of restaurants or pizza takeaways UK wide.
We also have exclusive offers just for students.
- Cinema ticket discounts
- Discounted days out at the UK's best attractions
- Exclusive membership perks
We’ll send your tastecard redemption code to your email address.
. This offer can be withdrawn at any time. Valid for 4 years. Smartphone required.
Information Message
More ways to pay
Debit card
Brand-new plastic
Shop online or pay in-store with a new student debit card.
Information Message
Do more with your debit card Open in new window
Contactless
Shop, tap and go
Tap-and-bleep your debit card to check out up to £100 in shops, restaurants, and more.
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Get to grips with contactless Open in new window
Apple or Google Pay
Banking for any device
Paying for items on your iPhone or Android is simple. You can use it to pay for things online or in-store with a tap.Criteria and retailer limits apply.
Information Message
Setting up a digital wallet Open in new window
Direct Debit
Bills, bills, bills
Got a regular bill that needs paid via Direct Debit? You can set that up on a NatWest Student account. Or if you need to split your household bills, check out our Housemate app.
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Make use of a student overdraft
Our Student bank account comes with an interest-free overdraft. A quarter of students budget and monitor their spending. But around one in three are still short of money by the end of the month, says our annual Student living index.
That's when your overdraft may come in handy as a short-term option. And because it’s interest-free, you won’t pay any interest on what you’ve spent.
Interest-free overdraft -get an overdraft of up to £2,000 from year one (Limited to £500 in term one, year one) with an instant online decision. Students can apply for up to £3,250 interest-free from year three onwards.
To apply for an overdraft,you need to be aged 18+. You can add an overdraft to your account once your course has started.
There are two different types of overdraft:
- Anarrangedoverdraft, which allows you to go overdrawn up to an agreed limit. This is the type of overdraft you could apply for here. During your application for an arranged overdraft, we'll run a full credit check to determine how much we can offer you.
- Anunarrangedoverdraft. This is when you spend more money than you have in your current accountwithoutalready having an arranged overdraft, or when you exceed your current arranged overdraft limit.
We charge interest on both types of overdraft. Going in to an unarranged overdraft limit can lead to payments being rejected.
This account offers an Overdraft facility (subject to eligibility). You can check if you're likely to be accepted for an overdraft using oureligibility tool.
Looking to understand the costs of an overdraft of more or less than £500 over different periods of time? Use our handycost calculator.
More on our student overdraft Open in new window
Manage your Student account with our app
See how much you have in your Student current account and transfer money between accounts from your smartphone. Students save on average £109 per month, according to our Student Living Index 2023. Easily move money into your savings account with our app.
App available to customers aged 11+ with compatible iOS and Android devices and a UK or international mobile number in specific countries.
Be bill savvy with Housemate
Want to take the hassle out of house sharing? With Housemate by NatWest, you can split household bills and pay each other back. You could also build your history with our partner Experian when you register your rent payments with the app. It’s free and you don’t have to bank with NatWest to use it.
Housemate is a free app open to users aged 17+ across the UK (excluding the Channel Islands and Northern Ireland). Users must have a UK bank account and an iOS or Android compatible device. Open Banking is available for selected UK banks and account types only. You need to be registered for your own bank’s online banking. The rent recognition feature is only open to those residing in England or Wales.
See more about Housemate Open in new window
Student FAQs
You'll need:
- UK Passport or Driver's Licence (full or provisional)
- Proof of address - Driver's Licence, Utility Bill or Bank Statement. If you don’t have one of these, you can use one of the documents we ask for to verify your UK student status.
To confirm you're a student and eligible for this account we require your unique 16 digitUCAS status code.If you can't find our code, log into your UCAS hub or contact UCAS on 03714 680 468, before starting the application.
Once your account is open, we’ll send your tastecard redemption code to your email address. We will use the email address you provided to us during your application process to contact you about your tastecard.
To confirm you're a student and eliible for this account we require your unique 16 digit UCAS status code. If you can't find your code, log into yourUCAS Hub(opens in new tab) or contactUCAS on 0371 468 0468, before starting the application.
After you graduate your Student account will switch to a Graduate account. We’ll notify you about 60 days in advance, so there's no unexpected surprises.
You can apply for an overdraft once your student account is open. If your course has started or is about to start, you might be able to apply for an overdraft while opening your Student account. You’ll need to be 18+years, Subject to lending criteria.
If you’re approved, your Interest-free overdraft limit is £500 year one term one. You can apply to increase the overdraft up to £2,000 from term two year one. Students from year three onwards can apply for up to £3,250.
You can apply for an overdraft on your account at anytime once your course has started with an instant online decision.
You can only have one student account with NatWest Group (NatWest/Royal Bank/Ulster Bank) at a time. If you try to open more than one student account you will only receive the benefits of the account once.
Banking My Way is a free service that allows you to record information about the support or adjustments you need to make banking easier. You can also let us know any additional support you may need to ensure all of our colleagues are aware of this. The information will be shared on our internal systems and therefore you will not need to repeat these requirements every time you interact with us.
Once your account is open, you can record this through Online Banking or with our colleagues in branches or over the phone.
Learn more about Banking My Way
If you’ve lived in the UK for more than three years, you can apply for our Student bank account. If not, then you’re recognised by us as an international student and are not eligible for our Student account. See ourcurrent accounts hubfor other options.
Switch to NatWest
The Current Account Switch Service will do all the work when it comes to switching, moving everything across from your old account to your new account all within 7 working days, including Direct Debits and standing orders. All you need to do is tell us the details of your old bank account and when you want the Switch to start.
We can not switch savings accounts or ISAs through this service. Any other products you have with your old bank will not be moved at the same time.
Current Account Switch Guarantee (PDF, 39KB)
A Guide to Switching Current Accounts (PDF, 3MB)
How does the Current Account Switch Service work?
Get ready to apply
Before you apply, we need to check you're happy with a few things. And ask you a few questions up front. Then we can make your application as quick and simple as it can be.
First things first. You can apply if you are:
aged 17 or over and have been living in the UK for at least 3 years
completing a full-time undergraduate course that lasts at least 2 years or completing a full-time postgraduate course, or
training as a nurse at a UK university or college of higher education
completing a course that has already started, or is starting within the next 6 months.
Now please take a look at the important legal stuff
If you carry on applying, it means you're happy with what's in these documents, including the FSCS information sheet. And happy to view your statements in Online Banking - not posted.Please take some time to review, print and/or save the important information.
All kinds of general info about our current accounts. Including details about the Student Account.
Download PDF (169 KB)
Very important information about how your money is protected. Just in case.
Download PDF (105 KB)
How much our charges will be. From taking cash out abroad to an unarranged overdraft.
Download PDF (133 KB)
Important basic info about the bank. For example, who regulates us and how to complain (hopefully you won't need that bit).
Download PDF (45 KB)
How we promise to treat you, if we lend you money. And what we expect from you in return.
Download PDF (44 KB)
Download PDF (52 KB)
How your information might be used
It's important for you to understand how we use and share your information. Please read thisshort summarybefore you continue with your application.
Other ways we could help
How much will I spend as a student?
When you’re setting out on your student life, it can be tricky to know how much day-to-day living will cost. Our guide can help you there.
Take a look at the student living index
Compare current accounts
If you’re still thinking about which type of account is right for you, don’t worry. We could help you make the right choice.
Compare current accounts today
Build your budget
Not sure where your money goes each month? Want to save a little more? We can help you with our budget calculator.
Calculate your budget
