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A free 4 year tastecard. Criteria and T&Cs apply.

Open a Student bank account

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.

NatWest current account switch guarantee

Why open a Student bank account?

Finding the best student bank account for you is a big decision. 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?

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.

Student bank account offer

£100 cash offer and a four year tastecard

Apply for a NatWest Student bank account and receive a free 4 year tastecard worth £55.00 per year*

 

*Annual tastecard value excluding any offers. Correct as of May 2024.

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tastecard

What is a tastecard?

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 restaraunts or pizza takeaways UK wide.

We also have exclsuive 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. Offer T&Cs apply.

This offer can be withdrawn at any time.

If you have received a student offer from NatWest at any time from 1st July 2020 you will not be eligible.

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Image of a gold YourMoney.com Awards 2022 winner’s medal.

Award-winning account for students

This Student 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.

What is a Student bank account?

Student bank accounts are a type of UK 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.

Ways to pay

Debit card

Brand-new plastic

Shop online or pay in-store with a new student debit card.

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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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Apple or Google Pay

Banking from your phone

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.

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Direct Debit

For regular bills

Got a regular bill that needs to be 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 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. 

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.

Try the NatWest mobile app today

Student account FAQs

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,

are a Student. To be eligible for this account, you must provide your 16 digit UCAS code. Courses without a UCAS code are not eligible for our student account,

completing a full-time undergraduate course that lasts at least 2 years 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

How your information might be used

It's important for you to understand how we use and share your information. Please read this short summary before you continue with your application.

All okay? You’re nearly ready to start.

To speed up your application for our Student account, we need to do a few final checks with you. They'll only take a minute.

Do we already know you?
Have you lived in the UK for:
Are you ready to provide us with your UCAS code?
To confirm you’re a student and eligible for this account we require your unique 16-digit UCAS code. If you can’t find your code, log into your UCAS hub or contact UCAS on 0371 468 0468 before starting the application.

You're all set

Your application will be completely online, as part of our checks we'll ask our partner Mitek to confirm your identity using; 

  • Proof of your UK student status, such as your: UCAS status code.
  • We’ll do this by matching your Photo ID to a selfie of you. You’ll need a device with a camera to upload these. We might also ask for other information like proof of address.  If you don’t have your ID to hand, you can finish this step later. 
  • Photo ID, which must be a Passport, UK or EU/EEA Driving Licence or an EU/EEA National ID card
  • Proof of your address, such as a utility bill, bank statement, driving license, UCAS letter, Student Finance letter or a letter from your University​.

Sorry you can’t apply for a Student account at the moment

We need to confirm you are eligible for this account, to do this, you must provide your 16 digit UCAS code. Courses without a UCAS code are not eligible for our student account.

If you are completing a full-time undergraduate course that lasts at least 2 years or, training as a nurse at a UK university or college of higher education, you will have been provided with a UCAS code. You can apply if you are completing a course that has already started, or is starting within the next 6 months.

Don’t worry, we have a range of other current accounts which may suit your banking needs.

Sorry, you can't apply for this account

Sorry, we can't offer you the account you applied for.

You can view our full range of accounts and apply for suitable one.

Do you have our app on a mobile device?
You can apply using either the mobile app or Online Banking. The mobile app is easier and quicker as we can prefill some of your information.

Here's a few steps to get started

If you're already using a device with the NatWest app, select the 'Start application' button below.

You will need the most up to date version of the app, to make changes to your account. 

To open a new account: 

  1. Once logged in to the app, choose 'Apply' and then current accounts. 
  2. Then choose what type of account you would like to open.

To change your account type or switch into your existing account: 

  1. Once logged in, click into the account you wish to change or switch.
  2. Choose either the 'Change my account type' or 'Switch my account' option. 

Can't scan the QR code?

 

Do you have NatWest Online Banking?

Log in to Online Banking

  1. Enter your customer number or 16-digit card number to get started. 
  2. You'll then need to enter your Online Banking pin and password.
  3. Once you're logged in follow the below

To open a new account:

  1. Select 'Current accounts' from 'Our Products'. 
  2. Choose the account you want to apply for and complete your application.

To change to a different account type or to switch into your existing account: 

  1. Choose the account you wish to change or switch, click 'Account details'. Then choose either the 'Switch to us form' or review the section 'Want to change to a different type of current account?' to begin your application. 

Sign up for Online Banking

You’ll need to sign up for Online Banking with us to apply for a current account. The good news is that it normally takes only 5 minutes and all you’ll need is your sort code, account number and your NatWest Debit Card, if you have one.

Select ‘How to register for Online Banking' to start.  

Once you’ve registered, select ‘Next’ to log in and apply for a Student account. 

Log in to NatWest Online Banking

  1. Enter your customer number or 16-digit card number to get started. 
  2. You'll then need to enter your Online Banking pin and password.
  3. Once you're logged in follow the below

To open a new account:

  1. Select 'Current accounts' from 'Our Products'. 
  2. Choose the account you want to apply for and complete your application.

To change to a different account type or to switch into your existing account: 

  1. Choose the account you wish to change or switch, click 'Account details'. Then choose either the 'Switch to us form' or review the section 'Want to change to a different type of current account?' to begin your application. 

Forgotten your Online Banking Details?

If you've forgotten your log in details, don't worry, select 'Reset my Online Banking' for further instructions. 

How to download and apply via the app

First, download the app:

  1. On your mobile or tablet, open the camera and point your device at the QR code.
  2. Follow the link that pops up to download the app.
  3. Use your details to log in and follow the below.

To open a new account:

  1. Once logged in to the app, choose 'Apply' and then 'Current accounts'. 
  2. Then choose what type of account you would like to open.

To change to a different account type or to switch into your existing account:

  1. Click into the account you wish to change or switch, then select 'Change my account type' or 'Switch my account' to begin your application.

Can't scan the QR code?

Available on selected devices.

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.

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.