Money, Benefits, Student Discounts

Discretionary Funding

The University has different pots of money available to students that you can apply to if you are struggling financially, with some open to international and EU students. Each   discretionary fund  has different eligibility criteria. 

For some of the funds, you will need to make an appointment with a member of the Money Team (check the application terms!) Even if you don’t need to make an appointment as part of your application, you can make an appointment to speak to an adviser and discuss your options.

To make an appointment, call +44 (0) 1334 46 2720 or email   [email protected]

Money Mentors 

The Money Mentors are two students who work with the Money Advice Team, who are offering tips and tricks on saving money. They have started a blog, and you can look out for more content on the Student Services Instagram.

Scottish Welfare Fund 

This is a fund available from your local council for those on low income. You do not need to pay these grants back. Within this Fund is the Crisis Grant, to help you when facing an unexpected emergency (such as a fire, flood, or redundancy), and increasingly you may be eligible if you cannot afford food or heating. Find out more about the fund and how to apply   here.

Benefits

You may be eligible for certain benefits depending on your income and individual circumstances. Please note that if you are on a visa, you may not be eligible for benefits (see more for   students, and for   non-students). 

As a student, you may be eligible for certain benefits, but again it depends on your individual circumstances. 

Use the   benefits calculator  from ‘entitledto,’ or from Turn2us to find out what benefits you may be eligible for if any. Please note that tools like these are not 100% accurate, especially for students, so you will likely benefit from speaking to   Citizens Advice. 

Debt Advice 

Being at University is expensive in any year, nevermind when the cost of living is so high. Many of you will be managing money on your own for the first time, and sometimes that means you can fall into debt.  Please note that student loan debts are different to other debts, and as such are dealt with in a different way other debts.

Getting into debt is nothing to be ashamed of, and there are so many resources and supports out there to help you – please ask for help. MoneySavingExpert have a handbook on mental health and debt which you may find helpful.

There are various support services available to you:

StepChange charity offer free debt advice and can help you deal with your debts in a way that works for you. Advice is impartial, non-judgemental, and confidential. They can help with any sort of debt (excluding student loan debt). There is no impact on credit scores if people seek help from StepChange. They can be contacted at 0800 138 111 (Monday-Friday 8am-8pm and Saturday 9am-2pm). Online help is available 24/7.

Citizens Advice Scotland have online resources about debt. Advisers are also available to support people with debt issues. You can call Citizens Advice Helpline free on 0800 028 1456 which will connect you with their local bureau.

  • Cupar Branch
    • Money advice – 0345 1400 094
    • General advice – 0345 1400 095
    • Opening Hours:
      • General phone line 10:00-15:00 Monday-Friday 
      • Debt line 09:00-16:00 Monday-Friday 
    • Address
      • St Catherine Street, Cupar, KY15 4TA
  • Dundee Branch
    • 01382 214633 
    • Opening Hours
      • Monday-Friday 09:30-14:00 telephone advice 
      • Monday-Friday 09:00-15:30 by appointment only 
    • Address
      • Dundee Central Library, Level 4 Wellgate Centre, Dundee, DD1 1DB

National Debtline offers free, impartial, expert advice, on debt issues. You can call on 0808 808 4000, use webchat, or use their digital advice tool.

Money Advisers   at the University can also give you some advice about debt management.

Some  resources that may help you:

Best student bank accounts 

Martin Lewis, Money Saving Expert is a great website to look at for the latest information on anything related to money. He also has a page about the   best student bank accounts  that is updated every academic year. 

Some key points from Martin Lewis:

  • Most banks only let Freshers apply for these accounts, and there may be some time limits on that. However, some banks let you switch later on, so definitely check!
  • Switch to a top   graduate account  after you finish university
  • Get the biggest and longest 0% overdraft you can – be careful though that you budget properly so you don’t spend more than your overdraft limit!
  • You will be credit checked when you apply for the account – find out more about   credit scores  and   building your credit history  (one easy way to improve your credit score is to get on the electoral roll!)

Top accounts for 2023/24

 

Santander 123 Account

NatWest Student and RBS Student

HSBC Student

Nationwide FlexStudent Account

0% Overdraft 

Years 1-3: £1,500 (provided you pay in £500+ each term).

 

Year 4: £1,800

 

Year 5: £2,000

Start with £500 

After first term and till end of Year 2: up to £2,000

 

Year 3+: up to £3,250

Year 1: £1,000

Year 2: Up to £2,000

Year 3+: Up to £3,000

Year 1: £1,000 (guaranteed)

 

Year 2: up to £2,000

 

Year 3+: up to £3,000

Perks 

4 year FREE 16-25 railcard 

£100 FREE cash and four-year Tastecard

£100 FREE cash if you use your debit card 5+ times within 30 days

One-year Headspace subscription

£100 FREE cash if you credit the account with £500+ by 15 December 2023

Who can apply?

First years 

 

If you’re not in first year, you may qualify but you’ll need to have 2+ years of study remaining

Undergraduate course lasting 2+ years

Full-time PG student

If you’re not in first year, you can switch from another account at any point in your studies

First year undergraduates

First year postgraduates

First years on a full-time course 2+ years in length. You can apply up to 1 year after your course starts.

 

Bank accounts for international students

You may be ineligible for certain bank accounts as an international student, so do double check when you apply, as you may need to have been resident in the UK for a set period of time.

Save the Student   have put together information on bank accounts available to international students. The   University  have also put together a page of information about bank accounts for international and EU students. Please always check eligibility criteria thoroughly. 

Budgeting and managing your money

Budgeting at university is really important – your maintenance loan/grant/other funds will disappear quickly once you’ve accounted for rent, bills, and groceries!  

Here are some resources that may help:

If you are not a student and want to know more about budgeting and money management, here are some other general resources that may help you depending on your circumstances:

Support from your bank

Various banks and building societies have dedicated web content about the cost of living and money worries. You can find these pages from Barclays, TSB, Bank of Scotland, Nationwide, RBS, HSBC, and Halifax. If your bank is not listed here, they may still have content that may support you.

Barclays LifeSkills    include a host of free online resources that can support you from school, right up to University and working life. Anyone can use Barclays LifeSkills, you do not need to be a Barclays Bank user. They have content on getting to grips with money and budgeting, as well as personal and professional development resources. 

Student Discounts 

There are lots of fantastic deals for students out there, and many only need you to show your matric card!

Save the Student have a   weekly newsletter  with the latest deals. 

Get the   UNiDAYS   and   StudentBeans  apps – sometimes discounts are only available if you sign up!

General Providers

  • Waterstones
    • Waterstones Plus Student – you get an extra 5% discount on every transaction. You get a plus stamp for every £10 you spend in store or online, every 10 stamps earns you £10 plus balance
  • Apple Music
    • £5.99 a month with UNiDAYS
  • Spotify Premium
    • One month free then £5.99 a month
  • National Express
    • 15% off with UNiDAYS or StudentBeans
  • Boots
    • 10% off but you’ll need to sign up for a Boots Advantage Card (free). You can get this discount just with your matric card
  • Superdrug
    • 10% off if you sign up to their Health & Beautycard. You can get this discount just with your matric card
  • WH Smith
    • 10% off with StudentBeans

St Andrews 

  • Oliver Bonas
    • 10% off with Student Beans online or in store 
  • Ryman
    • 10% student discount with UNiDAYS
  • Zizzi
    • Often have offers, currently seem to have 30% of food Monday-Wednesday via UNiDAYS

Dundee

  • Tinsmith
    • Monday-Thursday £3.75 on selected drinks
  • The Braes
    • Sign up to the mailing list to receive discount vouchers – you’ll need to sign up with your student email address
  • PureGym
    • No joining fee and up to 30% off membership – check terms and conditions!
    • Check on UNiDAYS too 
  • Frankie & Benny’s
    • 20% off via the website
  • Leisure Centres
    • £25 a month with full access to all facilities 

Fife

  • Fife Sports and Leisure Trust 
    • You can get their Active Concessions Scheme membership if you are a full-time student. The membership is valid for a year and you will need to renew it yearly 
    • Research students who receive funding from a sponsor are not eligible 
    • You can get 30% off membership
    • Find out more about the   Active Concessions Scheme  and about   prices

Angus 

  • Angus Leisure Centres
    • Concessionary membership available to full-time students, reviewed every 12 months, with proof of student status.
    • You can get the ANGUSalive Concessionary Entitlement by providing proof of student status. You should apply at your local centre.
    • If you are 18-25 years of age, you can access all sites for £25 a month. You must provide proof of age.