Top Tips To Help You Save Money As A Student
Being a student in the UK can be expensive. Between rising rent, food bills and travel, the average student now spends around £1,142 a month according to the National Student Money Survey.
With maintenance loans falling behind inflation, it’s no wonder so many students feel the squeeze.
The good news? There are loads of ways to save cash and even earn some extra money on the side.
In this guide, we’ll go through the best tips for saving money as a student, plus some easy ways to start earning online.
If you want to explore flexible ways to boost your income while studying, don’t forget to check out Prograd for opportunities tailored to students.
Make a budget and stick to it
It might not be glamorous, but the single best way to take control of your money is to budget.
Start by writing down your income (loans, bursaries, part-time work, parental support) and then list every outgoing (rent, bills, food, travel, nights out).
Once you see where your money goes, you’ll quickly spot the areas you can cut back.
Using apps like Monzo, Starling or budgeting spreadsheets can keep you accountable.
Saving potential: £50–£100 a month just by avoiding overspending on little things like extra takeaways or impulse buys.
Cook and batch your meals
Living off takeaways can drain your loan fast. A single Deliveroo order that costs £15 might not sound huge, but if you’re doing that three times a week, it’s £180 a month.
Cooking in bulk with your housemates and freezing leftovers means your cost per meal can drop to under £2.
Bring packed lunches to uni and invest in a flask for coffee and soup.
Saving potential: £100–£150 a month compared to regular takeaways and shop-bought lunches.
Take advantage of student discounts
Whether it’s 10% off at ASOS, half-price pizza at Domino’s or discounted travel, student deals add up.
Signing up to UNiDAYS or TOTUM opens up hundreds of offers. Always ask if a shop or café offers student discounts, even if it’s not advertised.
Don’t forget Amazon Prime Student either, which gives six months free delivery plus discounts.
Saving potential: £300+ a year depending on how often you shop, travel or eat out.
Buy books and supplies second-hand
Course books can be shockingly expensive, with some retailing at £50 or more. Instead of buying new, look for second-hand copies on Amazon Marketplace, eBay, or even noticeboards around campus.
Check if your uni library stocks the key texts before spending anything. You can sell them later too, recouping some of your money.
Saving potential: £200 a year by avoiding brand-new textbooks.
Share and split bills smartly
If you’re renting a student house, you’ll be splitting bills for gas, electricity, water and Wi-Fi.
Use apps like Splitwise to make sure everyone pays their share on time and avoid awkward conversations.
Always compare utility providers using comparison sites - energy and broadband switches can easily save money without you even changing behaviour.
Saving potential: £20–£50 a month, depending on how energy efficient your house is.
Travel for less
Owning a car at uni is rarely worth it. Instead, grab a railcard if you take trains regularly, at around £30 a year, it can save you £200 or more annually.
Local bus passes like the Stagecoach Unirider also reduce costs if you commute. If you’re in a walkable city, ditching transport altogether and cycling or walking saves even more.
Saving potential: £200–£300 a year with a railcard or bus pass.
Use free or cheap software
There’s no need to splash out on expensive software like Microsoft Office or Photoshop.
Students can get Office 365 for free with their uni email, or use open-source alternatives like LibreOffice and GIMP. Universities often provide free access to specialist programs too, so check what’s included before you pay.
Saving potential: £100–£200 a year on software licences.
Earn while you study
Saving money is one thing, but the easiest way to give yourself breathing room is to top up your income.
A part-time job on campus or in retail can help, but many students now prefer flexible online opportunities. With platforms like Prograd, you can explore ways to earn money that fit around lectures, from taking part in paid surveys to testing apps, freelancing, or even side hustles like selling clothes online.
Earning potential: £50–£300 a month, depending on the time you put in.
Cut your energy and water use
Energy bills are soaring, but small changes help. Switch to LED bulbs, wear an extra jumper before turning on the heating, and use an electric blanket instead of radiators at night.
A classic hack is putting a water-saving device (or even a brick) in the toilet cistern to reduce water per flush.
Saving potential: £150–£250 a year in energy and water bills.
Maximise freebies
From free coffees with loyalty cards to birthday freebies at restaurants, there’s more out there than you think.
Look at cashback apps like TopCashback or Quidco, sign up for supermarket loyalty schemes, and check out apps like Olio where locals share free food. Mystery shopping gigs can even pay you to go to the pub.
Saving potential: £100+ a year in freebies and cashback.
Saving money as a student
Being a student doesn’t mean being permanently broke, it just means being smart with money.
A mix of budgeting, smart shopping and tapping into the perks of student life can save you hundreds every year. On top of that, finding flexible ways to earn online gives you even more breathing space and freedom.
If you’re ready to explore easy side hustles, from surveys to freelancing, head over to Prograd’s Make Money Online hub to start boosting your income today.