- 40% have experienced tension or awkwardness with flatmates over different budgets
- 58% are owed money they do not expect to get back
- 64% have made an excuse to skip a social plan rather than admit they couldn’t afford it
- To help new students prepare for the realities of university life, NatWest has launched the Student Handover Report, sharing the money lessons current students wish they'd known before arriving on campus
25 August, London: From splitting bills to keeping up with social plans, money is becoming an early test of university friendships, with more than half (55%) of students saying finances have caused friction in their relationships according to new research by NatWest.
The survey of over 5,000 current undergraduates found that for almost one in ten (7%), the friendship ended altogether and that money pressures can quickly spill into shared living. Four in ten students (40%) reported experiencing tension or awkwardness with flatmates over differing budgets and more than half (58%) are owed money by friends or flatmates they do not expect to get back, with almost one in five (19%) owed £50 or more.
These findings form part of new NatWest research into the financial realities facing today’s students. With two-thirds (66%) of those who received parental advice about university saying at least some of it proved outdated or inaccurate, NatWest created the Student Handover Report to turn current students’ first-hand experience into practical guidance for the next intake.
New friendships quickly become financial relationships
The financial stakes of university life can rise quickly:
- One-third (33%) of students began looking for second-year accommodation within the first month of their first term, bringing major financial decisions into friendships that may only be days or weeks old.
- Nine in ten students (92%) have turned down a social event because they could not afford it.
- Almost two-thirds (64%) have made an excuse to skip a social plan rather than admit they were short of money.
- More than a quarter (28%) identify money as the single biggest barrier to their university social life, ahead of time pressures, distance from campus or not knowing enough people.
Despite the reluctance to admit when money is tight, university also appears to make financial conversations more commonplace. Nearly two-thirds (65%) say they are more open discussing finances with friends than they were before university, while 79% have helped a friend or flatmate with a money issue, whether by covering their share of something (20%) or helping them to budget and find better deals (29%).
The costs students did not see coming
Socialising is only one area where the financial reality of university differs from students’ expectations. More than half (57%) say they had not anticipated how much everyday life would cost, with one in five (20%) spending more than £100 on unplanned costs in their first week alone. Among students who receive a maintenance loan, four in five (81%) have run out of money before their next instalment at least once, including 41% who say it happens in most or every term.
While the research highlights the financial pressures many students face, it also points to the financial skills gained through university life, with more than three quarters (76%) saying they are now more confident managing their finances than when they first arrived. Many also report developing practical money-saving habits, from meal planning and batch cooking (39%) to switching to cheaper alternatives for everyday essentials (43%), while 85% have a side hustle on the go.
What current students want freshers to know
The Student Handover Report brings together practical money advice based on the experiences of current students. Among the key lessons for the next intake are:
- Don’t ghost the money chat
If a plan is out of budget, say so rather than making an excuse. Being upfront can make it easier for everyone to suggest something that works.
- Don’t let shared costs become shared drama
Talk about bills, food and who owes what before it becomes an issue. Agreeing the basics early can save awkward conversations later.
- Make saving part of the social plan
If money is tight, suggest something cheaper rather than sitting it out. Students say movie or game nights in, park hangs, walks and studying together are all part of how they socialise without spending heavily.
- Budget for fitting in, not just moving in
Freshers’ week, society events, spontaneous plans and the everyday costs of getting to know new people can add up quickly. Students recommend leaving room in your budget for the social side of settling in, as well as the obvious essentials.
- Don’t make full price your default
Current students recommend getting smart about how and when you spend — from reduced-to-clear food and student discounts to buying second-hand, selling what you no longer use and sharing costs where it makes sense.
Paul Slinger, Head of Customer Onboarding at NatWest said:
“Starting university is a major step towards financial independence, and it can bring money decisions that are difficult to anticipate before you arrive, particularly when new friendships, shared living and social plans all come with their own financial pressures.
“At NatWest, we support one in three UK families and we want to help young people feel confident taking action with their money, from setting a realistic budget and speaking openly about what they can afford, to looking out for the little wins that can help money go further. That’s also why our Student Account includes practical benefits designed to support students day to day.”
Getting a bank account set up is another part of preparing for university. The NatWest Student Account currently comes with a £100 cash offer, an interest-free arranged overdraft of up to £3,250 and a four-year tastecard.
The full Student Handover Report is available at Student Handover Report | Student Expenses | NatWest
More information about the NatWest Student Account is available at Student Bank Account | Open a Student Current Account | NatWest
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