National Student Money Week 2025

Students Shrushti and Ishita share where you can find new and affordable supermarket options near campus.

Are you confident at managing your money?  

Running from Monday 3 March to Friday 7 March 2025, National Student Money Week (NSMW) is an annual campaign to help raise awareness about the financial support, advice and resources available to students. This year’s theme is Survive and Thrive: Building financial resilience.  

We understand that managing your money, especially with rising costs in the UK, isn’t easy. That’s why we’re focusing on highlighting the resources and advice available to you at UoB this week and beyond. 

Throughout the week, you can expect plenty of tips, resources and money management content from us so you can manage your money like a pro. Keep an eye on our Instagram and YouTube channels and student news (on the intranet or app) so you don’t miss out. 

Have breakfast for free at Community Breakfast

Fancy a healthy continental-style breakfast for free on campus?  

You can drop into the Guild’s Mermaid Bar every Wednesday during term time from 9am-11am for a complimentary breakfast. There’s no need to book, just come along and grab a bite to eat. 

Getting the most out of student discount

A key perk of being a student is the discounts, and there are loads of ways you can cut down on expenses whilst at UoB: 

  • Commute by bus? Grab UoB’s exclusive 20% discount on 4-week student bus tickets and monthly direct debits. These tickets are only available via the UoB Portal. Check out more deals from the National Express.
  • Travelling by train? Students can get up to 50% off a termly student ticket. Sign up to the West Midlands Railway Waiting List to be the first to know when the summer term sale begins. 
  • Get the most out of mealtimes by downloading the free Food Fellows app. You'll collect loyalty points every time you spend at a Food Fellows outlet on campus which you can redeem on food and drink later. When you've bought nine hot drinks, you can also get your tenth for free!
  • Make sure you’ve downloaded student discount apps such as UniDays, StudentBeans and Totum which are full of great offers for both online and in store purchases. 
  • Love listening to music or podcasts? Students get Spotify Premium for free for 1 month.
  • Swap new purchases for pre-loved ones with apps like Vinted and Hazaar, or visit your local charity shops in Harborne and Selly Oak. Not only is it better for your wallet, it’s also better for the planet. 

Money-saving tips from our Student Content Shapers 

It’s very normal to have questions or feel unsure about budgeting and managing your finances at uni. It can take some getting used to, especially if it’s your first time having to budget independently. 

As part of NSMW, our Student Content Shapers are sharing their advice and tips on how to save and stretch your budget that little bit further.

  • Effective money management can start with your day-to-day spending habits. Student Natalie shares the small changes she makes on the daily. Watch Natalie's video.
  • It can be hard to know where to start with setting your budget. Students Dean and Danielle share how they make the most of their finances. Watch their video.
  • Need some advice from some expert budgeters? Student May asked UoB students for one piece of money advice they wish they knew before starting uni. Watch May's video.
  • Looking for some banging recipes that won’t break the bank? Our Student Content Shapers are sharing their best budget-friendly meals. Look out for more blogs and videos on our Student Communications channels. 

Cost of Living support 

If you're worried about money whilst at university, our Cost of Living section on the student intranet is full of financial advice, resources and support available to you as a student at UoB. 

If you’re looking for ways to save and cut down on spending, our Ways to Save Money page has all you need to know from student discounts, freebies on campus, and exclusive travel offers. 

Not sure where to start with setting and maintaining your budget? Our Managing your Money page will take you through living costs, how to plan your budget and how to track your spending. 

If you’re struggling with financial worries, you’re not alone. Our Help and Support page will guide you through financial support and initiatives that you may be eligible for, alongside free wellbeing resources that the University offers.  

If you’d like to share your experience of managing your money as a student or create your own Banging Budget-Friendly Meal video reel, then we’d love to hear from you. Email your idea to us at studentcommunications@contacts.bham.ac.uk and, if successful, we can offer a £15 Amazon voucher for your time. 

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