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Student Additions Account

Make the most of your money at uni

Get a student account that helps you budget for life at university. Apply in minutes with the award-winning Barclays app1

  1. No hidden charges for student banking – you don’t have to pay to open or use your account

  2. Our app helps you keep tabs on your spending and bills

  3. Easy ways to chat with us online, by phone or at a branch if you have questions about money

What you’ll need to apply

You can apply in the Barclays app if you have a UK mobile number, or at a branch if you don’t. Download it from your app store to start your application. If you don’t have a UCAS code, we’ll ask you to visit a branch to complete your application.

I’m new to Barclays

To apply for our student account you’ll need to

  • Be at least 18
  • Be in full-time higher education, or a higher apprentice (level 4+)
  • Have a UK mobile number and a UK residential address
  • Show photo ID, such as a passport, driving licence or biometric residence permit

I already bank with Barclays 

You can apply for our student account in the Barclays app. You’ll need to

  • Have the Barclays app
  • Be 18 or over
  • Be in full-time higher education – including higher apprentices (level 4+)

How to apply in our app if you're new to Barclays

When you first download and open our app, we’ll ask you to

  • Create a passcode to access the app safely
  • Take a picture of your identity document
  • Record a short video of yourself, which we’ll use to check your ID
  • Provide some details about your course and your UCAS status code
  •  Consent to a credit check

That’s it – we’ll let you know when you can start using your new account. Then you can switch any regular payments from another account to your new account with us.

You can apply for an interest-free arranged overdraft

Device graphic for interest free arranged overdrafts

If you’re a UK student, you don’t need to pay interest on arranged overdrafts up to £1,500.

Our maximum interest-free arranged student overdraft limits are

  • From account opening and during your first term: up to £500
  • Year 1: up to £1,000
  • Year 2 and beyond: up to £1,500

No interest is payable on arranged overdrafts.

The maximum arranged overdraft amount could be different than the amounts shown above (subject to application, financial circumstances, borrowing history and lending criteria). Arranged overdrafts are repayable on demand. Interest charges are variable. 

General information about overdrafts

An overdraft limit is a borrowing facility which allows you to borrow money through your current account.

There are two types of overdraft – arranged and unarranged.

An arranged overdraft is a pre-agreed limit, which lets you spend more money than you have in your current account. It can be a safety net to cover short-term outgoings, like an unexpected bill. It is not suitable for longer-term borrowing. We charge you for every day of the month that you use your arranged overdraft where you go beyond any interest free limit you may have.

An unarranged overdraft is when you spend more money than you have in your current account and you have not agreed an arranged overdraft limit with us in advance or you have exceeded an existing arranged borrowing facility.

You can only make payments from your account if you have enough money in your account or through an arranged overdraft to cover them. Barclays will always attempt to return any transaction that could take your account into an unarranged overdraft position. Having enough money in your current account or having an arranged overdraft limit could help prevent payments such as priority bills from being returned unpaid.

On very rare occasions we may be unable to return a payment (eg due to an offline transaction made on a flight) and the account may enter an unarranged overdraft. No additional charges will be applied in this situation.

Information regarding the conduct of your account may be sent to credit reference agencies. As with any debt or borrowing, this may affect your ability to get credit in the future.

Our Eligibility tool can show you the likelihood of getting an arranged overdraft and the overdraft calculator lets you see how much it could cost to use an overdraft. To use these tools and find out more about overdraft charges, please visit barclays.co.uk/youroverdraft.

If we hold a valid mobile number for you, we’ll automatically enrol you to receive relevant alerts regarding borrowing and refused payments, to help you avoid charges. You can also choose to receive additional alerts, including Low Balance and Large Credit or Debit. Tailor your alerts to your personal needs online, by phone or in branch. To find out more, visit barclays.co.uk/alerts.

Spend, save and budget with the Barclays app

We know money can be tight when you’re studying. That’s why our app gives you lots of ways to track your spending so you can stay in control of your money.

Graphic compares money you spend at shops and businesses month by month.

  • See where your money goes

Check when regular payments will leave your account and compare how much you spend at shops and businesses month by month.

A few taps in our app and you can set limits on how much you can take out at cash machine each day.

  • You’re in control

Can’t find your student debit card? A few taps in our app and it’s frozen temporarily. You can also get a secure PIN reminder, and set limits on how much you can take out at cash machines each day.

Graphic shows you can pay for stuff with your phone or smartwatch

  • Pay the easy way

With Apple Pay2 or Android’s Contactless Mobile3, you can pay for stuff with your phone or smartwatch. You can also use mobile numbers to send, spend and receive money, without having to share your bank details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Apply in the Barclays app

Get the Barclays app for your device. Your application will begin when you first open the app.

Available on the iPhone App Store
Android app on Google play

Account information and fees

Read all the details about banking with us and the terms and conditions of our Student Additions Account.

14-day trial period

If you’re not happy with your account, you have a 14-day period in which to cancel your account or switch to another account. This begins on the account opening date or the date you receive your terms and conditions and other account information, whichever is later.

Your feedback

We want to hear from you if you’re unhappy with our service. You can complain in person, at a branch, in writing, by email or by phone. You can get a leaflet detailing how we deal with complaints in any of our branches, on this site or from the Barclays Information Line on 0800 400 1004. The line is open between 7am to 11pm, seven days a week. Alternatively, write to Barclays, Leicester LE87 2BB.

If we don’t resolve your complaint internally to your satisfaction, you may be able to refer it to The Financial Ombudsman Service, Exchange Tower, London, E14 9SR (08000 234 567). The Financial Ombudsman Service is an organisation set up by law to give consumers a free and independent service for resolving disputes with financial firms. Details of those who are eligible complainants can be obtained from the Financial Ombudsman Service.