- 4-year free tastecard.
- Interest free overdraft from year 1.
- No monthly fee for your account.
- To apply for a Student bank account, you must be 17+ and have been living in the UK for at least 3 years. Online applications only.
- To confirm you’re a student and eligible for this account, we require your unique 16 digit UCAS code. Courses without a UCAS code are not eligible for our Student account.
- You need to be a full-time undergraduate student (on at least a 2-year course at a UK university/college) or on a nursing course lasting a year or more. You can apply up to 6 months before your course start date.
- You must use your Student account as your main account by depositing student finance, wages, or other regular income into it.
Our Student account offer
What is included?
Tastecard is a discount card which offers you 2 for 1 on meals, 50% off food or 25% of 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
Our newest addition
Coffee Club
Your tastecard now comes with even more benefits, you now also get access to 25% off barista-made drinks at thousands of coffee shops across the UK, including Caffè Nero, Black Sheep Coffee, Cinnabon as well as 100s of independent coffee shops.
Annual tastecard valued at £79.99 excluding any offers. Correct as of May 2025. Offer T&Cs and restrictions apply.
This offer can be withdrawn at any time. If you have received a student offer from NatWest at any time from 1st July 2021, you will not be eligible.
- Your tastecard redemption code will be sent to your email address.
- If you have received a student offer from NatWest at any time from 1st July 2021 you will not be eligible.
- This offer can be withdrawn at any time due to limited availability.
Why open a Student bank account?
Choosing the right student bank account is important. Whether you're already at university or getting ready to start, you could apply to open a Student account with NatWest today.
Interest-free overdraft - of up to £2,000 from year one (£500 limit in term one, year one) with an instant online decision. You can apply for up to £3,250 interest free from year three onwards.
Award winning account - YourMoney.com voted NatWest as 'Best Student Current Account Provider' in 2025, plus this current account was given 5 stars by the Defaqto experts in 2025.
Easily managed through our app. Stay on top of a Student bank account from the palm of your hand.
No monthly Student current account fees.
Make use of a student overdraft
Our Student bank account comes with an interest-free overdraft:
Get an overdraft of up to £2,000 on Student bank accounts 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.
Going to university comes with a range of costs and bills, as the 2025 NatWest Student Living Index reveals. So, a Student bank account overdraft may be a handy short-term option. And because it’s interest-free, you won’t pay any interest on what you spend.
To apply for an overdraft, you need to be aged 18+. You can add an overdraft to your account once your course has started.
The app students didn't know they needed
App available to Online Banking customers with compatible iOS and Android devices and a UK or international mobile number in specific countries.
Add money effortlessly
Easily add money to your account from accounts held with other banks without entering account details.
Free credit score
See your score in minutes. Improve it and understand your habits' impact. Data provided by TransUnion.
Get Cash without your debit card
Get up to £130 every 24 hours from our cash machines, so long as it’s within your daily withdrawal limit.
Save your spare change with Round Ups
Save your change from everyday spending and put it in an eligible savings account.
The app students didn't know they needed
App available to Online Banking customers with compatible iOS and Android devices and a UK or international mobile number in specific countries.
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)
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.
Student account FAQs
Already have a Student account with us?
From handy tools to common student banking questions, we have plenty of resources to help you through university.
Find everything you need to manage an existing Student bank account.
More help for students
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.
Compare current accounts
Still weighing up the best student bank account for you? Don’t worry. We could help you make the right choice.
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.