Halifax student account review
Our verdict
Get an interest-free overdraft up to a maximum of £1,500.
This is a standard student current account. It offers a reasonable sized 0% interest overdraft and some cashback with its retail partners, but there are student accounts from other banks that offer better perks or larger overdrafts.
Check out our guide to best student bank accounts for more information.
Pros
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You’ll get access to cashback with some retailers;
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You can earn interest on in-credit balances.
Cons
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No freebies offered with this account;
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There are other student accounts with larger overdrafts.
Read our review to find out about the overdraft and perks of the Halifax student current account, as well as who is eligible and what you need to do to apply.
Rates, fees and limits
Halifax has one current account available for students – the Halifax Student Current Account.
Below, you’ll learn about the benefits and incentives associated with this account.
| Product Name | Halifax Student Account |
|---|---|
| Card type | Cash / Debit |
| Debit network | Visa |
| Minimum opening balance | £1 |
| Account fees | £0 |
| Interest (AER) | 0.5% AER |
| Funding requirement | No minimum funding requirement |
| Daily cash machine limit | £800 |
| At end of term | Account transferred automatically to Current Account |
| Maximum overdraft in year 1 | £1,500 |
| Maximum overdraft in year 2 | £1,500 |
| Maximum overdraft in year 3 | £1,500 |
| Maximum overdraft in year 4 | £1,500 |
| Maximum overdraft in year 5 | £1,500 |
| Overseas card transactions | 2.99% plus flat fee of £0.50 |
| Overseas cash withdrawals | Europe: 2.99% Elsewhere: 2.99% conversion fee plus a cash fee of £1.50 |
Eligibility
You’ll be eligible for a Halifax Student Current Account if you’re on a degree course or in equivalent full-time education. You must be aged 18 or over to apply.
How to open an account
You can apply online or in a branch. You’ll need the following documents:
- Proof of identity, such as a current passport or photo driving licence (full or provisional);
- Proof of address, such as a utility bill or bank statement no more than 6 months old;
- Your 4-digit UCAS code confirming your place for your course.
The benefits
- Interest-free overdraft. Your interest-free overdraft will have a maximum limit of £1,500 for the length of your course, up to a maximum of 6 years (this is rising to £2,000 in years 4 to 6 in August 2025).
- Interest on in-credit balances. You’ll earn 0.5% AER on unlimited in-credit balances – however, this will no longer be the case from 2 June, 2025.
- Earn cashback with Halifax’s retail partners. Simply activate the deal on Halifax’s “Cashback Extras” tab within its online banking platform.
Customer service information for Halifax
| Email support | |
|---|---|
| Telephone support | |
| In-app or live chat | |
| Contact form | |
| Branch support |
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to get my student loan paid into this Halifax account?
No. This account comes with no regular funding requirements.
How much does it cost to use the Halifax student debit card overseas?
When you use your card overseas, you'll pay a non-sterling charge of 2.99% plus a flat fee of £0.50. For, example, if you spend the local equivalent of £250, you'll be charged £7.48 plus the flat fee of £0.50. Note that the flat fee doesn't apply to debit card transactions in Europe.
Because it's a Visa, you'll find it's accepted pretty much anywhere that takes card payments.
Compare options for keeping costs down when spending abroad.
How much does it cost to withdraw cash overseas using the Halifax student debit card?
Within Europe, you'll pay a currency conversion fee of 2.99% (so take out the equivalent of £150 and you'll be charged £4.49 currency conversion). Outside Europe, you'll pay a currency conversion fee of 2.99% plus a cash fee of £1.50 (so take out the equivalent of £150 and you'll be charged £4.49 currency conversion plus the cash fee of £1.50). Don't forget that the local cash machine provider may charge its own fee too.
Does Halifax's interest-free student overdraft limit increase over time?
Not currently. However, from 1 August 2025, the overdraft limit will rise from £1,500 to £2,000 in years 4 to 6 (if you study as long as that). Alternatively, if you're looking for another account which offers an increasing overdraft limit as your course progresses, see our full comparison of student accounts.
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