Santander Edge Student account review
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Offer
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
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Interest-free overdraft;
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Free 16-25 railcard when you sign up.
Cons
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Not available to international or postgraduate students;
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Account has a minimum funding requirement;
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There are other student accounts with larger overdrafts.
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 Name | Santander Edge Student Current Account |
|---|---|
| Card type | Cash / Debit |
| Debit network | Mastercard |
| Minimum opening balance | £0 |
| Account fees | £0 |
| Interest (AER) | 0% AER |
| Funding requirement | Min. £500 Every 4 months |
| Daily cash machine limit | £300 |
| At end of term | Account 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 transactions | 2.95% |
| Overseas cash withdrawals | 2.95% |
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?
Customer service information for Santander
| Email support | |
|---|---|
| Telephone support | |
| In-app or live chat | |
| Contact form | |
| Branch support |
Santander and Finder Awards
Our Finder Awards celebrate brands that truly stand out in their field, creating innovative personal finance products and providing outstanding service to their customers. Santander is one of these brands and was named our 2025 Premium Bank Account Provider of the Year Award winner!
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to get my student loan paid into this Santander account?
No, however the funding requirements of the account are min. £500 every 4 months.
How much does it cost to use the Santander student debit card overseas?
When you use your card overseas, you'll pay a non-sterling charge of 2.95%. For, example, if you spend the local equivalent of £250, you'll be charged £7.38.
Because it's a Mastercard, 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 Santander student debit card?
You'll pay a currency conversion fee of 2.95%. For, example, if you take out the equivalent of £150, you'll be charged £4.43. Withdraw 250 euros (that's around £215.89) at an ATM in Paris and it'll cost you £6.37. Don't forget that the local cash machine provider may charge its own fee too.
Does Santander's interest-free student overdraft limit increase over time?
Yes. While the opening interest-free overdraft limit is capped at £1,500, this increases to a maximum of £2,000 in year five (£1,500 in year three). Check out our full comparison of student accounts to see the interest-free overdrafts available to UK students with a breakdown of each account's limit in each year of your course.
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