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students and credit cards

Another basic question...sorry.

I'm still helping my son work out his budget for uni and I wondered if it was possible for a student to get a credit card?

My family are not big spenders but I have a couple of credit cards one for buying online, with a low limit, and one for emergency purchases when I am out, or for things like holidays where I want the added protection. It seemed logical for my son to get a card especially if he plans to do any online buying, and I wondered which cards were student friendly.

Soo
I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the eBay, Auctions, Car Boot & Jumble Sales, Boost Your Income, Praise, Vents & Warnings, Overseas Holidays & Travel Planning , UK Holidays, Days Out & Entertainments boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know.. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com.All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.
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Comments

  • Moomum
    Moomum Posts: 958 Forumite
    Im a student and natwest and barclays both offer student credit cards.
  • misskool
    misskool Posts: 12,832 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    He should be able to get a credit card with his student account and that will have a low limit.
  • When I set up my student account with HSBC last week, I got a credit card with a 500 pound limit, would think most banks would be similar.
  • God my student limits were always ridiculous!

    But yes ask at his bank :o)
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  • I'm sure he'll find barclaycard at his freshers fair tempting him with something ridiculous like a popcorn maker. If you maintain a student barclaycard well (paying it off in full at the end of the month) you can find yourself with a crazily high limit, one of my friends had one of £1500 by the start of her second year.
  • CM86_2
    CM86_2 Posts: 158 Forumite
    I've got a NatWest Student account, and it came with a student MasterCard... Not that i'd recommend it at all! The interest seems to be quite low though... About £9 a month @ £450 balance...
  • soolin
    soolin Posts: 74,826 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Thank you everyone, I've passed the info across to my son.

    Soo
    I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the eBay, Auctions, Car Boot & Jumble Sales, Boost Your Income, Praise, Vents & Warnings, Overseas Holidays & Travel Planning , UK Holidays, Days Out & Entertainments boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know.. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com.All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.
  • The bank will try and tempt him into one of their high interest ones - but he's better off shopping around. His student loan and part time job both count as 'income' so most credit card companies will let him have a credit card.
  • DrFluffy
    DrFluffy Posts: 2,549 Forumite
    When I set up my student account with HSBC last week, I got a credit card with a 500 pound limit, would think most banks would be similar.

    My student credit card has a £5k limit... :eek: :eek: :eek:

    I'd only suggest getting one for emergencies, not for living... If you don't think he can be trusted to use it for emergencies only, I'd keep well away...
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  • DrFluffy wrote:
    My student credit card has a £5k limit... :eek: :eek: :eek:

    what bank are you with? what year of study are you in?
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