Approval for any credit card will depend on your status. The APR shown represents the interest rate offered to most successful applicants. Depending on your personal circumstances the APR you're offered may be higher, or you may not be offered credit at all. Fees and rates are subject to change without notice. It's always wise to check the terms of any deal before you borrow.
RBS Student Credit Card review 2021
Last updated:
Existing RBS student account holders can apply for this card to cover unexpected expenses and kickstart a good credit history.
Finder rating: ★★★★★
Representative example: When you spend £500 at a purchase rate of 18.95% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 18.9% APR (variable).
£250
Minimum credit limit
Up to 56 days
Interest-free each billing period
18.9%
Representative APR
£0
Account fee
Details
| Issuer | Royal Bank of Scotland |
|---|---|
| Network | Mastercard |
| Annual/monthly fees | £0 |
| Min credit limit | £250 |
| Max credit limit | Subject to status: £500 |
| Purchases | 18.95% |
| Purchases interest-free period (days) | 56 |
| Balance transfers | 18.95% |
| Additional cards available | 1 |
Expert review
Review by
Chris Lilly
chris.lilly@finder.comChris Lilly is a publisher at finder.com. He's a specialist in credit-based products including business and personal loans, mortgages and credit cards, and is passionate about helping UK consumers make informed decisions about their borrowing. In his spare time Chris likes forcing his kids to exercise more.
Expert review
This RBS card comes with a low credit limit and no annual or monthly fee, which is pretty standard for a student card.
Student cards also typically don’t have the most competitive rates around (in part due to the limited credit histories of many of the card’s users), though if you clear your balance in full each month, you’ll be able to take advantage of up to 56 days of 0% interest on your purchases, potentially offering you a buffer until your next student loan payment comes through.
It’s smart to be cautious about taking out a credit card while studying. If your income is minimal and paid infrequently, be realistic about how quickly you’ll be able to pay off any borrowing. On the plus side, if you don’t carry a balance from month to month and you use this card responsibly, it could help you to handle fluctuating costs and help you start building a positive credit history, standing you in good stead for future borrowing.
What's in this review?
The RBS Student Credit Card is issued on the Mastercard network so it's accepted at nearly 53 million merchants across more than 210 countries and territories.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Since it's a student card, you aren't required to have a super-high credit score in order to be approved
- Up to 56 days to spread the cost of purchases (provided you pay off your balance in full each month)
- No annual fee
Cons
- To apply, you must hold a student bank account with Royal Bank of Scotland
How does it compare with other student deals?
Table: sorted by representative APR, promoted deals first
Repayment options
You can make manual repayments through Royal Bank of Scotland's app, by logging in to your online banking or over the phone (0345 724 2424). Alternatively you may wish to set up a direct debit.
A direct debit protects you from forgetting to make a repayment and damaging your credit score – making it harder and more expensive to borrow money in the future – and getting hit with a penalty fee (£12) as a result.
You can arrange a direct debit for repayments when you apply for the credit card. The table below shows the options available.
Choose from the following direct debit options for your monthly repayments:
| Minimum amount | Fixed amount | Fixed percentage | Full amount |
|---|---|---|---|
How to apply for the RBS Student Credit Card
If you've compared cards and want to apply, completing the secure online application form takes about 15 minutes. Before you apply, check that you meet the eligibility requirements and have the information and documents you'll need to make the process as straightforward as possible. RBS will ask for your address history for the last three years, your bank account details and your graduation/course end date.
Frequently asked questions
What credit limit will I get with the RBS Student Credit Card?
If Royal Bank of Scotland is able to offer you this deal, the offer will specify a personalised credit limit based on Royal Bank of Scotland's assessment of your situation. The minimum limit offered on the card is £250, while the maximum is £500. Once you've had the card for a while and shown Royal Bank of Scotland that you're reliable, you may wish to apply for a credit limit increase.
Can I withdraw cash using the RBS Student Credit Card?
Although it's possible, withdrawing cash from a credit card account is generally not a good idea, as "cash-like transactions" (withdrawing cash at an ATM, getting cashback at the till, spending at a casino, buying currency, etc.) often incur steep fees and/or higher rates of interest.
The cash advance fee on the RBS Student Credit Card is 3%.
The interest rate on this part of your balance will be 27.95%, which is 48% more than the standard purchases rate (chargeable from the day of the transaction – the card's usual "up to 56 days interest-free" grace period won't apply).
How much does it cost to use the RBS Student Credit Card abroad?
Non-sterling transactions are subject to a 2.75% charge. For example, if you spend 200 euros (£178.54), it'll cost you around £4.91.
Do I need to be an existing Royal Bank of Scotland customer to apply for the RBS Student Credit Card?
Yes, you must already hold a Royal Bank of Scotland student bank account.
What does "Up to 56 days interest-free" on purchases mean?
Almost all credit cards offer you a "grace period" in which to settle your purchases. But to enjoy this feature, you have to clear your full balance each month (cash withdrawals and non-sterling transactions sadly tend not to benefit from this feature).
Let's say you make a purchase using the RBS Student Credit Card on the 1st day the month. Shortly after the end of the month you receive your statement and bill from Royal Bank of Scotland which needs to paid by, say, the 25th of the month. If you then pay off your balance in full on the 25th, you won't be charged interest on that purchase and you'll have enjoyed 56 days interest-free.
Finder credit card ratings
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★★★★★ — Good
★★★★★ — Average
★★★★★ — Subpar
★★★★★ — Poor
Our experts score student credit cards to determine their value against similar products on the market. We look at a number of important factors, like credit limits, flexibility, any perks/benefits, plus the potential costs involved with running the card both in the short and longer term.
You can read more about our scoring criteria on our credit card methodology page.
We show offers we can track - that's not every product on the market...yet. Unless we've said otherwise, products are in no particular order. The terms "best", "top", "cheap" (and variations of these) aren't ratings, though we always explain what's great about a product when we highlight it. This is subject to our terms of use. When you make major financial decisions, consider getting independent financial advice. Always consider your own circumstances when you compare products so you get what's right for you.