Nationwide Building Society is again offering freshers £100 cash and £120 in Just Eat vouchers with its FlexStudent account. The offer, which also launched this time last year, is available to first-year students who open the account.
Requirements and Benefits
Students must pay £500 into the account and make five debit card payments by December 11, 2026, to receive the cash and vouchers. The vouchers are paid in £10 instalments every month for a year.
Students can also request an arranged overdraft of up to £1,000 in the first year, £2,000 in the second, and £3,000 in the third. The limit stays at £3,000 for courses longer than three years.
Students are not eligible if they have previously claimed a FlexStudent offer or opened the same account or a FlexGraduate account before July 15.
Expert Advice
Caitlyn Eastell, personal finance analyst at Moneyfactscompare.co.uk, said: "Free cash and vouchers can make one student account stand out from another, but it’s important students compare the overall package before being swayed by incentives. An interest-free overdraft could provide greater value over the course of a degree than a one-off freebie."
She said the most generous interest-free arranged overdrafts are from NatWest and Royal Bank of Scotland, offering up to £3,250 by the end of a degree. HSBC and Nationwide also stand out, with overdrafts rising to £3,000.
"However, any overdraft is subject to status and should be seen as a financial safety net rather than extra spending money. Every pound borrowed will need repaying, so taking on part-time work or sticking to a realistic budget can help avoid leaving university with unnecessary debt."
Comparing Other Accounts
Lloyds Bank has boosted its student account from last year, offering up to £120 in Deliveroo vouchers and £100 free cash, subject to conditions. HSBC offers discounts through HSBC Home & Away but lacks specific student perks.
NatWest’s student account offers a free tastecard and has improved last year’s £85 cashback to £100. Santander is offering a four-year Railcard worth £115, and customers can sign up to Santander Boosts for cashback.
TSB offers a credit interest rate of 5% AER/4.89% gross on the first £500.
"Those travelling home regularly could save a significant amount with Santander’s free 16-25 Railcard, while students who frequently order takeaways or eat out may get more value from NatWest’s four-year tastecard or the food delivery vouchers available from Lloyds Bank and Nationwide Building Society," added Ms Eastell.
