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If you are an international student, you might want to take a look at our other accounts.
Account features
- Apply for an interest-free arranged overdraft of up to £1,500 – for the duration of your course and 3 years after you graduate
- From 01 August 2025 we’re changing the interest-free arranged overdraft amounts on our Halifax Student Current Account. For full details please see the Guide to Changes (PDF, 35KB).
- Free everyday banking when you stay in credit – no monthly fee
- Up to 15% cashback at some of your favourite retailers – shop with our Cashback Extras to earn some extra cash
- Save the Change® – rounds up your transactions to the nearest pound and puts the difference in a nominated Halifax savings account
- Earn interest – get paid a little extra with an interest rate of 0.50% AER (0.50% gross p.a) variable on any credit balance
On 02 June 2025, we'll no longer pay credit interest on Student Current Accounts. For details, please see Guide to Changes (PDF, 69KB).
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Whether it's the weekly shop, popping out for lunch or hitting the high street, Cashback Extras makes it easy to earn up to 15% cashback. The offers you get will come from places you might like to try, as well as places where you already shop. The retailers above are just some of the offers you may receive, retailer offers and cashback amounts vary.
- Easy to use - simply select an offer on our app or in Online Banking.
- Spend and earn - use any of your Halifax debit or credit cards with your chosen retailers, in store or online, in line with the offer conditions. Your cashback will be paid into your current account at the end of the following month.
- Keep track - visit the Cashback Extras hub to see what cashback you've earned.
Learn more at Cashback Extras.
Manage your Cashback Extra offers using our Mobile Banking app or Online Banking. -
Struggling to save? Save the Change® can help your pennies turn into pounds. Switch it on and whenever you buy something with your Halifax debit card, we’ll round up your transaction to the nearest pound and put the difference in a nominated Halifax savings account.
For example, if your coffee cost £2.20, we’ll transfer 80p from your current account into your savings account. It’s a smart feature that helps turn leftover change into bigger savings.
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What is the credit interest rate on this account?
On 02 June 2025, we'll no longer pay credit interest on Student Current Accounts. For details, please see Guide to Changes (PDF, 69KB).
Your balance
AERAERAER stands for Annual Equivalent Rate. Whenever you see an advert for a savings account which shows an interest rate, you will see the AER. This means you can use the AER to compare accounts. It shows what the interest rate would be if your interest was paid and compounded once each year. %
GrossGrossGross rate means that no tax will be automatically deducted from interest on your behalf. Depending on your personal circumstances, you may need to pay tax on the interest you earn and it will be your responsibility to pay any tax you may owe to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). %
Your balance
£0.01 and above
AERAERAER stands for Annual Equivalent Rate. Whenever you see an advert for a savings account which shows an interest rate, you will see the AER. This means you can use the AER to compare accounts. It shows what the interest rate would be if your interest was paid and compounded once each year. %
0.50
GrossGrossGross rate means that no tax will be automatically deducted from interest on your behalf. Depending on your personal circumstances, you may need to pay tax on the interest you earn and it will be your responsibility to pay any tax you may owe to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). %
0.50
Interest rates
You could earn 0.50% AER (0.50% gross p.a.) variable credit interest on any balance of £0.01 and above.
For example, when you have £1 in your account, you could earn interest of 0.50% AER (0.50% gross p.a.) variable on £1.00.
When is the credit interest paid?
The credit interest earned will be paid into your Student Current Account on a monthly basis.
If you do not earn the credit interest, you won't receive payment the following calendar month.
App features
- Freeze your card – temporarily stop your card being used with just a few taps
- Keep an eye on your credit score – get tips on how to improve it and more with our Your Credit Score feature
- Mobile alerts – get mobile alerts every time you spend
Are you an International student?
If you have not been a resident in the UK for at least three years, you will not be able to apply for a Student Current Account.
Instead, you might want to take a look at our other accounts.
You can apply if
- You're aged 18 or over
- You’re studying full-time on a course of at least two years’ duration, or a one-year full-time access course leading to a degree
- You have been a resident in the UK for at least three years
- You have a university place confirmed
- You're already a student, you can still apply for a student account
If you are given an arranged overdraft limit higher than the interest free amount, you will be charged interest on any borrowing over and above the interest free amount.
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From 01 August 2025 we’re changing the interest-free arranged overdraft amounts on our Halifax Student Current Account. For full details please see the Guide to Changes (PDF, 35KB).
When you’re at university or college, sometimes you need the flexibility of extra money to help tide you over. Student arranged overdrafts can be a short term safety net when you need to borrow some money. With our student current account, you can apply for an interest-free arranged overdraft of up to £1,500.
Like all forms of arranged overdrafts you’ll need to pay it back at some point, but don’t worry we’ll help you keep on top of your spending with mobile alerts to tell you when you’re over your limit. Plus when you graduate, you can keep the account with the same offers and features for up to 3 years after you graduate.
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Apply for a student account, and we’ll tell you what arranged overdraft we can give you during your application.
All overdrafts are subject to our assessment of your circumstances and are repayable on demand, including any interest.
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How does our overdraft compare?
You can use the representative APR to compare with other products or credit providers, this can help you make sure that you choose the right type of borrowing for you.
How much does my arranged overdraft cost in pounds and pence?As an example, the interest cost of borrowing £500 is:
- £0 for 7 days
- £0 for 30 days
- £0 for 60 days
If you don’t have enough money in your account or available arranged overdraft to make a payment, we may either let you borrow through an unarranged overdraft or refuse to make the payment. Missing payments and using an unarranged overdraft can damage your credit score, please get in touch with us as we may be able to help you.
All overdrafts are subject to application and approval and are repayable on demand. You must be 18 or over to apply. Arranged overdraft limits and interest rates vary based on your individual circumstances.
*EAR is the Equivalent Annual Rate. This is the annual interest rate of an overdraft. This means you are charged over the year based on how often and how much you are overdrawn by, and the effect of compounding it – charging interest on interest already charged. This interest rate does not include any other fees and charges.
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You can apply to extend it online, just sign in to your Online Banking and complete the application form.
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Find out more about arranged overdrafts
If you already have a current account with us and would like an arranged overdraft, you can apply for one through Online Banking or Mobile Banking. You can also apply to increase your existing arranged overdraft too.
Frequently asked questions
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It’s a specially made bank account made for anyone in higher education. Whether you’re studying at university or full-time on an equivalent course of further education, a student account can help you easily manage your money.
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We understand the needs you have when studying. That’s why we offer an interest-free overdraft to help you have financial safety net. You’ll also discover helpful features like cashback at some of your favourite retailers, Save the Change and more.
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You’ll still get the same features and offers of this account for up to 3 years.
After 3 years, we’ll move you to our Current Account. We’ll also contact you 2 months before your account changes to let you know.
If you’re moving house, please let us know your new address. You can also find your nearest branch if you’d prefer to let us know in person.
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For nursing and midwifery, a NMAS letter is accepted.
If you haven’t applied through UCAS, the original university offer letter on headed paper may be accepted. It needs to include:
- The student’s name and address
- Course name
- Course type and length
- Year of graduation
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You can do this. You’ll just need to select the ‘I’m already a Halifax customer’ option above and make sure you know your 4-digit UCAS code. Once you have changed your account, your sort code and account number will stay the same and you’ll also keep the same debit card.
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If you have a Halifax Student Account already, and continue straight onto a Masters Degree or PhD, you can extend your existing Student Account and hold it for a maximum of 6 years whilst you study.
If you don’t have a Halifax Student Account, and are starting a Masters Degree, then you can open a new Student Account if you are 18 or over, have been a resident in the UK for at least three years and are studying for a full-time course that lasts for a minimum of two years or be on a one year access course leading onto a full-time degree.
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Yes, as long as you meet the standard criteria: you are 18 or over, have been a resident in the UK for at least three years and are on a degree course or equivalent full time education.
Still need some more information?
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We have designed the Current Account Switch Service to let you switch your current account from one bank or building society to another in a simple, reliable and stress-free way. It will only take seven working days. As your new current-account provider we offer the following guarantee.
- The service is free to use and you can choose and agree your switch date with us.
- We will take care of moving all your payments going out (for example, your Direct Debits and standing orders) and those coming in (for example, your salary).
- If you have money in your old account, we will transfer it to your new account on your switch date.
- We will arrange for payments accidentally made to your old account to be automatically redirected to your new account. We will also contact the sender and give them your new account details.
- If there are any issues in making the switch, we will contact you before your switch date.
- If anything goes wrong with the switch, as soon as we are told, we will refund any interest (paid or lost) and charges made on either your old or new current accounts as a result of this failure.
For more information and FAQs, please read the Account Switching Guide (PDF, 1.68 MB).
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Find out how fraud can harm you and what you can do to stop it:
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For more information and terms & conditions for this current account read the Bank Account Getting Started Guide (PDF, 1.07 MB).
We're making some changes to terms and conditions on 02 June 2025, for details please see Guide to Changes (PDF, 69KB).
From 01 August 2025, we are changing some interest-free arranged overdraft amounts on our Halifax Student Current Account, for full details please see Guide to Changes (PDF, 35KB).
Have you seen the other accounts we have to offer?
18-25 Investing
Introducing 18-25 Investing, our free investment account for young investors - the ideal companion for students aspiring to smash their financial goals. Enjoy an account with no admin fees and take advantage of free regular investing, so even more of your money can go into your investments!
Please remember that the value of investments and the income from them can fall as well as rise, and you may get back less than you invest.
Halifax current accounts and services are offered subject to status. Available only to personal customers aged 18 or over who are resident in the UK.
Whether you can have an arranged overdraft and the amount will depend upon your personal circumstances at the time you apply for one. Any overdraft we agree is repayable on demand.
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