Managing your money

Take control of your finances. Get support and advice on managing your money while studying.

We've put together some useful tips and resources to get you started.

Money workshops

NTU money workshops have now finished for the 24/25 academic year. Please keep checking this page for further updates. Our Money Ready for NTU workshops will begin in July 2025 for our prospective students.

Create a budget

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.

NTU student budget worksheet

We have our Introduction to Budgeting spreadsheet which is a great beginner's guide to budgeting and helps you break down your weekly budget.

We also offer a Monthly Budget spreadsheet which makes it easy for you to forecast your exact income and expenditure over the calendar year.

Contact our Student Money team if you'd like help completing your budget. You don't have to wait until you've arrived at NTU.

Download the Introduction to Weekly Budgeting worksheet Download the monthly budget worksheet

Apps and tools

You can track your income and expenditure from your phone. There are lots of handy tools and apps that can help.

You can search for apps on your device's app store. We also cover many apps and tools you can use to budget in our Money Matters workshops. Your bank may also have an app with built-in budgeting tools.

Before you come to university, don't forget to set up mobile banking. It's the easiest way to keep track of your spending when you're out and about. Many banking apps also categorize your expenses. This can provide a useful insight into where you could cut back.

Save the Student have created a comprehensive free guide about student bank accounts. They also have information about app based banks too.

Make your money last all term

If you receive a maintenance loan, you'll get it in three equal instalments, one at the start of each term. It can be difficult to manage a lump sum of money across four months.

Here are a few suggestions on how to make your money last until your next instalment.

To give yourself a weekly budget, divide each term's income across the number of weeks it needs to last.
Set up a second bank account. Transfer yourself a weekly or monthly amount, so you are not in danger of overspending.
Create a budget plan detailing how much you will spend on each living cost. Track your spending as you go.

Increase your income

As a student, you might have income from a variety of different sources. This could come at different times throughout the year. Be clear on what you will receive and when.

Check you're receiving all the money you're entitled to. That includes your student loan and any NTU bursaries.

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 benefit eligibility using Turn2us. You could also book an appointment to speak to one of our financial support advisers.

Part-time work

Many students choose to work part-time while studying.

Employment will both boost your income and provide valuable experience to put on your CV.

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.

Money-saving tips

We asked our current NTU students for their money-saving tips and advice.

Prepare your meals. Cooking in bulk and putting portions in the fridge or freezer will save you both money and time.
Ditch the takeaways and cook with your flatmates instead. Check out these easy student recipes.
Take lunch with you to uni. Try to avoid those tempting coffees.
Be mindful of needs versus wants when shopping.
When online shopping, leave clothes in your basket for a couple of days. Come back later and see if you still 'need' that pair of trainers.
FOMO — fear of missing out — is real. If you can't afford it, say so. You won't be the only one who's living on a budget. Make fun, free plans with friends instead.
Check the library before buying books. If you do need to buy a book, always search for a second-hand copy.
Use a student discount wherever possible. Make sure you don't get sucked in by unnecessary purchases.

Choosing your next accommodation

You might be tied into a contract now, but think carefully before you get into another.

How much can you realistically afford to spend on rent? Use a budget worksheet to help you work this out.

Check whether your rent will be due monthly or by term. Think about how you are going to pay for this before signing a contract.

If you need housing advice, contact our Students Union housing advice service. They can provide lots of useful information. You can even book an appointment to speak to one of their specialist advisers.

If you are a care leaver, see the accommodation support we offer over summer and in your second and final year.

Resources

As an NTU student, you have access to some great resources. The following are all completely free, courtesy of National Student Money Week.

The Student Money Manual from The Money Charity. This is an essential guide to student finance and managing money at university. It'll help you budget and make your money stretch further. The PDF is also interactive, so you can input your own figures and get a clearer idea about your finances.
How to reduce your carbon footprint. Save the Student's tips on how to reduce your carbon footprint and save — or even make — money.
Best eco-friendly home and cleaning products. There are many sustainable alternatives to common home essentials. Here's Save the Student's list of the best eco-friendly home and cleaning products. It includes everything from toothpaste to cleaning spray to plasters.
12 best sustainable fashion brands according to Save the Student. Fast fashion causes immense harm to the planet. Thankfully, it's far from your only option. Here are the best sustainable brands that offer slower, and kinder, fashion.
Water-saving tips. Water is the forgotten utility, and many people think they can't save. Money Saving Expert has seen success from people who've slashed hundreds of pounds from their bills. Options include fitting water meters and cutting down on how much you use.
Buy now, pay later. Millions of people use buy now, pay later when shopping online or in store. Managed correctly, buy now, pay later can be a cheap and quick way of accessing credit. However, if something goes wrong, you face late fees. NTU does not endorse any buy now, pay later schemes. Money Saving Expert gives you information and explains how it all works and what to look out for.
HMRC information on money mules. Around six in ten money mules are under the age of 30 and most are recruited between the ages of 17 and 24. Many criminals target their recruitment of money mules at universities or colleges – either online, in person or via friends and family. HMRC has created a helpful guide to keep you safe!