Let’s be honest; university life can be expensive. Between tuition, rent, groceries, and that daily coffee fix, managing money as a student isn’t always easy. But here’s the good news: financial literacy is a skill you can learn, and starting now will help you build habits that will benefit you for life. This guide is packed with tips, tools, and resources to help you take control of your finances.

 

Budgeting: Your Key to Financial Stability

A well-planned budget helps you keep track of your income and expenses. Start by categorising your spending:

 

• Essential Expenses: Rent, utilities, groceries, travel costs, and course materials
• Variable Expenses: Eating out, entertainment, and subscriptions
• Savings & Emergency Fund: Set aside at least a small portion each month for unexpected costs

 

Helpful Budgeting Tools:

• Monzo & Revolut: Banking apps with built-in budgeting tools
• YNAB (You Need A Budget): Great for proactive financial planning
• MS Excel: Easily accessible and great organization

 

Saving Money: Discounts & Student Perks

 

As a student, you can save money through exclusive discounts and deals:

 

• UNiDAYS & Student Beans: Discounts on fashion, tech, and more
• TOTUM (NUS Extra): Student discount card for high-street and online savings
• 16-25 Railcard: 1/3 off train travel across the UK. Add it to your osier and enjoy a 30% discount on tube fares during off-peak travel
• King’s Food Loyalty Scheme: Discounts on meals across King’s campuses
• Tesco Club Card & Lidl Plus: Free cards that provide discounts on your daily purchases (Lidl being the cheapest grocery you can shop from)

 

For a full list of student discounts, visit Save the Student

 

Financial Support & Resources at King’s

 

King’s College London and other organisations offer various financial support services to help students manage their finances effectively:

 

• Financial Office Contact: Provides information on fees & funding for undergraduate & postgraduate students. 
• Student Funding Office 
• KCL Careers & Employability: Provides career advice, including help with looking for part-time work. 
• Money Advice Service: This offers free, impartial advice on all aspects of personal finance, including budgeting, savings, and debt management. You can find answers to frequently asked questions here, or you can contact an advisor. 
• King’s Money Mentors: Within the Money Advice Service, there are the Money Mentors; current students who can offer peer support on budgeting and making the most of your money. They have a range of useful blog posts and a great Instagram page.
• KCL Student Funding Advice page: Your guide to student funding and fees at King’s.
• Money Saving Expert: Don’t skip out on Martin Lewis’s advice page for students! This webpage gives you a guide to your finances from start to finish. 
• Money Helper: Provides a guide on student money, with a budget planner and a number of useful articles.  
• The Money Charity: Check out The Money Charity’s Student Money Manual for a comprehensive guide to managing your finances as a student.
•  UCAS: Includes a guide to budgeting as a student. 

 

KCLSU Financial Aid Guide

 

Have a look at KCLSU Financial Guide. The Financial Guide for Studying at King's provides students with a live resource to help alleviate the pressure of the cost-of-living crisis. The guide includes financial support options available at King’s such as the bursaries and scholarships, as well as key information on KCLSU Advice services and useful financial resources.  

 

Best Books & Podcasts on Financial Literacy

 

Educate yourself on financial management with these highly recommended reads and listens:

 

Books:

• The Money Manual by Tonya B. Rapley: A beginner-friendly financial literacy guide
• Broke Millennial by Erin Lowry: How to take control of your money in your 20s
• The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel: Understanding financial behaviours

 

Podcasts:

• The Martin Lewis Podcast: UK-specific financial advice
• Money to the Masses: Student-friendly financial tips

 

Once you’ve nailed the basics of budgeting and saving, you might be curious about investing. While it’s not essential to invest while at university, starting early (even with small amounts) can help build long-term financial confidence and give you a head start on growing your wealth.

 

Tips for Student Investing:

• Start small: Even investing £5–£10 a month can be a great learning experience
• Know the risks: Investing always carries risks, so never invest money you can’t afford to lose
• Think long-term: Investing is best for longer time horizons, not quick returns

 

Beginner-Friendly Investing Tools:

• Nutmeg: Robo-advisor platform that builds and manages an investment portfolio for you
• Moneybox: Rounds up spare change from purchases and invests it automatically
• Blackbullion: From budgeting basics to getting started with investing, Blackbullion have engaging video lessons, tools and articles to help you grow your knowledge and confidence. 
• Trading 212 (Practice Mode): Try investing with a free demo account before committing real money

 

Remember: investing isn’t a race. Focus on building your financial foundation first, then explore investing when you feel ready and informed*.

 

In conclusion, Building financial literacy doesn’t mean mastering investing overnight, it’s about consistent, small steps. Knowing how to stretch your budget, where to find support, and what tools to use will boost your confidence, reduce stress, and set you up for success both during and beyond your time at King’s.

 

*This blog post is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Students should carry out their own research or consult a qualified financial advisor before making any financial decisions, including investing.