Student bank account for degree apprenticeships.

freddiehill28

Hi MSE,

I am currently undertaking my first year of a Degree level apprenticeship, so I am at university for 3 days every month completeing a full time course while working in the industry. The university course lasts 3 years and I will be getting a BSc at the end of the course.
I am wondering whether I will qualify for a student bank account? I know that I can't get one if I am in university part time, but I don't know if my course is classed as part time.

If I cannot get a student bank account, what would you reccomend for someone living independantly of the parents, on a salary of £8000, who tends to go about £50 in the hole each month

Thank you all,

Freddie

xylophone

I am wondering whether I will qualify for a student bank account? I know that I can't get one if I am in university part time, but I don't know if my course is classed as part time.

Why not ring round and ask? In effect you are on a "sandwich" degree course?

http://www.savethestudent.org/money/student-banking/student-bank-accounts.html

Otherwise, if you can get a First Direct account, ( they can be choosy) you could switch your existing current account, get a switching bonus and a fee free overdraft.

http://www1.firstdirect.com/1/2/

You would not pay the account fee for six months after opening the account, but to avoid it altogether, you could open a savings account (e saver is fine for this purpose) once you have opened the current account.

freddiehill28

Hi,

Thanks for taking the time to reply, I am having a letter delivered from the university confirming my enrolment.

So if I can get one, is the student account the way to go?

Also my salary goes up in September, so I will avoid the first direct account costs anyway without the sayings account. But out of interest would a help to buy isa count as a savings account?

Thanks for the reply,

Freddie

xylophone

First Direct don't offer HTB ISA. It is a savings account.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/savings/help-to-buy-ISA

If a student account best suits your circumstances, approach your chosen provider with the proof of student status.