In this guide

  • Our verdict
  • Your reviews

Our verdict

Santander's current account for students comes with a free railcard and many other benefits.

The Santander Edge Student Account is a great all-round choice for students. It offers an interest-free overdraft and sign up incentives, including a 4-year 16-25 Railcard. Get started by visiting Santander's website and open an account. If you have read this review and decided that this account is not for you, you can also compare other student bank accounts here.

Pros

  • Interest-free overdraft;
  • Free 16-25 railcard when you sign up.

Cons

  • Not available to international or postgraduate students;
  • Account has a minimum funding requirement;
  • There are other student accounts with larger overdrafts.

In this guide

  • Our verdict
  • Your reviews

Find out more about Santander’s student bank account option in our review, including how to apply for an account, what features and benefits it comes with, and what interest-free overdraft is available.

Rates, fees and limits

Santander has one current account available for students – the Santander Edge Student Current Account.

Product NameSantander Edge Student Current Account
Card typeCash / Debit
Debit networkMastercard
Minimum opening balance£0
Account fees£0
Interest (AER)0% AER
Funding requirementMin. £500 every 4 months
Daily cash machine limit£300
At end of termAccount transferred automatically to graduate 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£1,800
Maximum overdraft in year 5£2,000
Overseas card transactions2.95%
Overseas cash withdrawals2.95%

What is Santander’s student bank offer?

This year, Santander is offering a free 4-year 16-25 Railcard, worth £115, when you open an account. This will save you a third on rail travel in Great Britain.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a Santander Edge Student Current Account, you’ll need to be studying for an undergraduate course (for at least 2 years) or an apprenticeship (level 4 to 7).

You’ll also need to:

  • be aged 18 or over;
  • be permanently living in the UK;
  • close or switch from any existing Santander bank account.
  • Pay in at least £500 into your account every 4 months.

How to open an account

You can apply for an account once you’ve received an unconditional or a “confirmed conditional” offer.

You can open an account online or in-branch.

When registering an account, you’ll need to provide a few personal details, financial details and proof of your course, including your UCAS number.

Benefits

  • Interest-free overdraft. With this account, you’ll get an interest-free overdraft of £1,500 for the first 3 years of your studies. You can increase this to £1,800 in year 4 and £2,000 in year 5, if your course lasts that long.
  • Santander Boosts. Get cashback, vouchers, prize draws and other offers personalised to you.
  • Travel benefits. There’s no fees for using Santander cash machines when you travel.

What does the Santander app look like?

Santander app
Santander app
Santander app

Customer service information for Santander

Email support
Telephone support
In-app or live chat
Contact form
Branch support

Santander and Finder Awards

Finder Awards logo

Our Finder Awards celebrate brands that truly stand out in their field. Santander was named our 2025 Premium Bank Account Provider of the Year Award winner!

Frequently asked questions

Our “Best for” picks highlight top options in specific categories based on our independent evaluation (see our full methodology), while “Promoted” tags indicate sponsored placements. Selected products may not suit everyone. We track selected market offers, which may not cover every product. Products are listed in no particular order unless specified, and inclusion or ordering may be influenced by popularity or commercial agreements. Most comparison table data is provided by Defaqto or sourced directly from providers. Always evaluate your own circumstances and consider independent advice before making major financial decisions.

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