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Student Money Advice

Money
Support & Guidance

Money worries can affect anyone at university, and you don't have to face them alone. The NTSU Advice Service offers free, confidential and non-judgmental support to help you understand your options. Have a look through the sections below to find out what's available or get in touch with our team and we'll talk you through it.

You can contact us via advice@su.ntu.ac.uk or 0115 848 6260

Financial Support Available

NTU has a whole range of financial support available for students in financial difficulty. Find out if you might be eligible to apply for some extra money to help plug the gap in your finances.

You may be able to get some help if:

  • You've planned your budget and your funding isn't enough to cover your essential costs, or
  • Something unexpected happens and leaves you struggling financially.

Support Funds

Check the funds below to see which support schemes match your circumstances:

Alternative Funding

Explore other funding avenues available throughout your university journey:

Here are the best places to find external bursaries, scholarships and grants, as well as some of the major funds: Save the Student.

Student overdrafts can be a useful way to access more financial support. Check out Save The Student for more.

Benefit Entitlement

In some circumstances, you may be entitled to welfare state benefits. You could be eligible if you have children or a disability, for example.

Check your eligibility online

You can check your benefit eligibility quickly and confidentially using Turn2us Benefits Calculator .

Increasing Your Income

Part-Time Work

Here at NTSU, we have a variety of part-time student jobs that suit different skillsets, including hospitality, events, and retail work on NTU's three main campuses.

  • NTU JobShop can help you find a job and assist with the application process.
  • Sign up to Unitemps for opportunities within NTU that can fit around your studies. These can include Student Ambassador roles, for example.

Extra Ways

Got a particular skill? Search for jobs suited to your skills, advertise your services on social media or a platform like Upwork or Fiverr, or use an online shop platform like Etsy or Gumroad where you can sell your creations.

Selling your old clothes is a great way to make extra cash, act sustainably, and clear out your wardrobe. You can sell your clothes online on platforms such as Vinted or Depop. Some places around Nottingham pay cash for your clothes (usually paid by weight)—you can find them with a quick Google search.

Budgeting and Bank Accounts

Being able to put together a budget and stick to it is an important skill. It'll serve you well both at university and for the rest of your life.

If you’d like support, pop along to NTU’s Student Money Team drop ins at the City Campus. Their friendly team can help you put a budget together, check that you're receiving all that you are entitled to and advise on all things money.

Opening a Student Bank Account?

Choosing the best student bank account can be difficult with a range of options and discounts or perks. We recommend checking out Save the Student.

Student Discounts and Deals

You can access a whole range of discounts and perks with your student status whilst at university:

Travelling in Nottingham or the UK?

Practical Money-Saving Tips

  • Plan ahead: Write your shopping list around a meal plan so you only buy what you need and avoid waste.
  • Shop smart: Don't shop when hungry, as you'll buy things you don't need. Check unit prices (e.g. price per 100g) rather than just the sticker price to see what's genuinely cheaper.
  • Choose cheaper options: Store brands are usually much cheaper than premium brands with little difference in quality. Visit supermarkets late in the day for reduced items, ideal for that night's dinner or tomorrow's lunch.
  • Stock up on offers: If something you buy regularly is on offer and won't expire before you use it, buy extra.
  • Use loyalty cards: Supermarket points cards offer exclusive discounts and rewards. Compare supermarkets too, each supermarket offers different rewards.
  • Get creative: Use up what's already in your cupboards before buying more. Apps and websites can suggest recipes based on the ingredients you have.
  • Batch cook and freeze: Cooking in bulk and freezing individual portions means you're less likely to buy takeaways or meal deals when tired. You can also freeze bread, meat and some vegetables to stop them going to waste.
  • Turn down the heating: Lowering your heating by even 1°C can noticeably cut your bill. Aim for a thermostat setting of 19 or 20°C rather than 21 or 22°C, and only have the heating on when you're home.
  • Heat the person, not the house: Wrap up in warm clothes, thick slippers or a hot water bottle before turning the heating up. Close curtains at dusk, use draught excluders, keep doors shut, and don't block radiators. Only heat the rooms you're using, and avoid electric heaters where possible as they're expensive to run.
  • Cook efficiently: A hob or microwave is much cheaper to run than an electric oven. Air fryers and slow cookers are also cheaper options, and cooking at the same time as housemates cuts oven time.
  • Wash smart: Wash at 30°C, always run full loads (separating lights and darks), and avoid the tumble dryer. Dry clothes on an airing rack in a ventilated room with a window open, and avoid drying them on radiators, which can cause damp and mould.
  • Save on hot water: Take shorter showers (a timer can help), choose showers over baths, and consider a low-flow showerhead.
  • Small habits: Only boil the kettle with as much water as you need, switch appliances off at the wall, and use LED bulbs.
  • Submit meter readings: Take photos of your readings when you move in and out, and submit them regularly so you pay for what you use rather than an estimate.
  • Check your council tax: Households made up entirely of full-time students are exempt, so make sure you've requested your exemption certificate from the university.
  • Check your other bills: Look into student broadband deals and short-term contracts, and check whether you actually need a TV licence.
  • Agree a bill split: Agree how bills will be divided between housemates in writing to avoid disputes later.
  • Report damp or cold: If your house is cold, damp or mouldy, tell your landlord early.

Debt Advice

Struggling with debt?

If you are struggling with debt, we recommend contacting the National Debtline who can be contacted here . They provide free, confidential and independent advice.