Unsure how you’ll manage your money after you graduate? We’ve pulled together some great tips to help you stay on top of your finances. Whether you decide to keep studying, look for a job, or go travelling, it’s important that you manage your money the right way. This is especially true when you start working – many people find it difficult to budget after having been a student.
Use our Budget planner to help you save more money!
Just click the section which sounds most like what you want to do for a list of top tips.
- Staying on in education
- Going travelling
- Getting a job
- Internships
- Moving back home
- Moving out of a student house
- Finding a new place to live
- Don’t know
Staying on in education
- Pay off any outstanding bills
- If you’re moving, get your deposit back from your landlord
- Contact your local authority with your new address so you’re put on their electoral register
- Make sure your bank and phone provider know you’ve moved address
- If you find that debt is playing on your mind, get advice straight away. Find out Where to get free debt advice
- If you really need to borrow money, think carefully about your options before doing this. Do you need to borrow money?
- If you drive, think about whether you really need to run a car while you sort out your money
- Make sure you shop around for the cheapest energy supplier. Find out more in Save money on your gas and electricity bills
Going travelling
- Pay off your final bills as a student
- Get your deposit back from your landlord
- Make sure your bank and phone provider know you’ve moved address
- If you find that debt is playing on your mind, get advice straight away. Find out Where to get free debt advice
- If you really need to borrow money, think carefully about your options before doing this. Do you need to borrow money?
- Make sure you understand the terms of your new graduate bank account. Read our guide to student and graduate bank accounts
- Make sure you take out travel insurance and check the terms carefully to ensure that it covers all the things you want to do while away
- Tell the Student Loans Company if you’re going overseas for a long period of time
- Plan costs such as visas and vaccinations
Getting a job
- Take advantage of any careers advice available to you
- Pay off your final bills as a student
- Get your deposit back from your landlord
- Contact your local authority with your new address so you’re put on their electoral register
- Make sure you understand the terms of your new graduate bank account. Read our guide to student and graduate bank accounts
- If you drive, think about whether you really need to run a car while you sort out your money
- Stay opted in or sign up to a pension even though retirement seems a long way off. Learn more about Pension basics
- Check with your employer that you are on the correct tax code
- Make sure you’re being paid at least the minimum wage
- How long you have to pay back your loan is based your income. But remember: the amount you owe will be a combination of your tuition fees and maintenance loan.
- Be prepared for the culture shock of the working world. At first a lot of students feel worse off financially than they did at university. Read about Budgeting for your first job
- If you find that debt is playing on your mind, get advice straight away. Find out Where to get free debt advice
- If you’re going to be self-employed, be sure to set aside enough money to pay your tax
Internships
- Take advantage of any careers advice available to you
- Understand your rights when working as an intern
- Pay off your final bills as a student
- Get your deposit back from your landlord
- Contact your local authority with your new address so you’re put on their electoral register
- If you really need to borrow money, think carefully about your options before doing this. Do you need to borrow money?
- If you find that debt is playing on your mind, get advice straight away. Find out Where to get free debt advice
- Make sure you understand the terms of your new graduate bank account. Read our guide to student and graduate bank accounts
- If you drive, think about whether you really need to run a car while you sort out your money
- Check with your employer that you are on the correct tax code
- How long you have to pay back your loan is based your income. But remember: the amount you owe will be a combination of your tuition fees and maintenance loan.
- Be prepared for the culture shock of the working world. At first a lot of students feel worse off financially than they did at university. Read about budgeting for your first job
- Your intern role might not be what you want to do in the long run, but the experience could help you get that dream job
Moving back home
- Pay off your final bills as a student
- Get your deposit back from your landlord
- Save up for a deposit for your first home whether rented or bought
- Contact your local authority with your new address so you’re put on their electoral register
- Make sure your phone provider and bank know you’ve moved address
- If you find that debt is playing on your mind, get advice straight away. Find out Where to get free debt advice
- Make sure you understand the terms of your new graduate bank account. Read our guide to student and graduate bank accounts
- If you’re out of work, on a low income or staying on in education check what benefits you’re entitled to. Make sure you’re getting the right entitlements
- If you drive, think about whether you really need to run a car while you sort out your money
- How long you have to pay back your loan is based your income. But remember: the amount you owe will be a combination of your tuition fees and maintenance loan
- Be prepared for the culture shock of the working world. At first a lot of students feel worse off financially than they did at university. Read about Budgeting for your first job
Moving out of a student house
- Pay off your final bills as a student
- Get your deposit back from your landlord
- Contact your local authority with your new address so you’re put on their electoral register
- Make sure your phone provider and bank know you’ve moved address
- If you find that debt is playing on your mind, get advice straight away. Find out Where to get free debt advice
- Make sure you understand the terms of your new graduate bank account. Read our guide to student and graduate bank accounts
- If you’re out of work, on a low income or staying on in education check what benefits you’re entitled to. Make sure you’re getting the right entitlements
- If you drive, think about whether you really need to run a car while you sort out your money
Finding a new place to live
- Pay off your final bills as a student
- Get your deposit back from your landlord
- Contact your local authority with your new address so you’re put on their electoral register
- Make sure your phone provider and bank know you’ve moved address
- If you find that debt is playing on your mind, get advice straight away. Find out Where to get free debt advice
- If you really need to borrow money, think carefully about your options before doing this. Do you need to borrow money?
- Plan how you’ll set aside money to pay for Council Tax or rates, and which payment method you’ll use
- Make sure you shop around for the cheapest energy supplier. Find out more in Save money on your gas and electricity bills
- If you’re out of work, on a low income or staying on in education check what benefits you’re entitled to. Make sure you’re getting the right entitlements
- Make sure you understand the terms of your new graduate bank account. Read our guide to student and graduate bank accounts
- If you drive, think about whether you really need to run a car while you sort out your money
- Be prepared for the culture shock of the working world. At first a lot of students feel worse off financially than they did at university. Read about Budgeting for your first job
Don’t know
- Even if you don’t know what you want to do, take control of your money
- Pay off your final bills as a student
- Get your deposit back from your landlord
- Contact your local authority with your new address so you’re put on their electoral register
- If you find that debt is playing on your mind, get advice straight away. Find out Where to get free debt advice
- If you’re out of work, on a low income or staying on in education check what benefits you’re entitled to. Make sure you’re getting the right entitlements
- Make sure you understand the terms of your new graduate bank account. Read our guide to student and graduate bank accounts
- If you drive, think about whether you really need to run a car while you sort out your money
- How long you have to pay back your loan is based your income. But remember: the amount you owe will be a combination of your tuition fees and maintenance loan.
- Be prepared for the culture shock of the working world. At first a lot of students feel worse off financially than they did at university. Read about Budgeting for your first job
This article is provided by the Money Advice Service.
