Is the HSBC Student Credit Card any good? It may be, especially if you already have an HSBC student current account or are a student and are going to open one. A student card can be a great way to start building your credit history - just make sure you pay on time and stay under the credit limit. Let's see how the HSBC student card stacks up.

HSBC Student Credit Card Review

HSBC's student credit card can be a great first card as its open to those without a credit history and has a purchase interest rate of 18.9% APR (variable). While this rate has remained stable, its value has increased significantly relative to the rest of the market. As of January 2026, the average credit card interest rate (APR) in the UK reached 24.66% - a 30-year high - making this student offer an exceptionally competitive entry point into credit.

Student credit cards from high street banks tend to charge much lower interest rates than you'll find on credit builder cards, so they can be quite attractive. In fact, the interest rate on a credit builder card can be 2X the rate of the HSBC student card. In early 2026, the average interest rate for Credit Builder Cards reached 36.2%, with some high-risk cards averaging as much as 43.59% APR. This highlights the significant financial advantage of qualifying for a dedicated student product rather than a general credit-building card.

While it's always best to pay back the entire balance each month, if you can't then the interest rate will determine how much you owe in interest charges (along with the outstanding amount) so having a lower interest rate is important.

Note: HSBC remains one of the few high street banks still offering a dedicated student credit card. As of January 2026, major competitors like NatWest and RBS have officially exited the student credit card market, shifting their focus instead to student current accounts with interest-free overdrafts. This leaves HSBC and TSB as the primary high-street options for students looking to build a credit history via a card.

Always make sure you can afford repayments.

HSBC Student Card Benefits & Features

Representative example: 18.9% APR representative (variable). Based on an assumed credit limit of £500 and a purchase rate of 18.9% p.a. (variable). Annual fee: £0.

Who Can Apply?

HSBC will accept most current or prospective students for their student card, so long as you have or apply for an HSBC student current account. You can't have the credit card without the bank account, so the HSBC card is only a good option if you'll open an HSBC student account as well. To open a student bank account, you must be full-time at a UK university or college (or part-time if you'll be receiving a Disabled Students' Allowance). Qualifying courses include:

• postgraduate degree (eg PHD, MBA, MSc, PGCE, MPhil, M.ED, M.ST or LL.M)

• undergraduate degree (eg BA, BSc, BEd, BN)

• Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE)

• Business & Technical Education Council (BTEC)

• National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) levels 4 and 5

• foundation degree - FDA (art based) or FDSc (science based) and/or subsequent one year full honours degree course

• pre-registration or First Level Nursing and Midwifery Diploma

• a foundation year which is an integral part of one of the courses listed above. We will need to see written proof of this (for example a letter from the college or university)

Any postgraduate applicants must have finished a UK undergraduate degree in the past three years.

As proof, postgrads must provide a graduation certificate, diploma or letter from the university or college. Others must show proof of their unconditional acceptance (e.g. UCAS letter or letter from the university or college), or for first year students a 16-digit UCAS status code.

In addition, applicants may not hold a student account anywhere else.

To get the credit card, you must:

• be at least 18 years old

• have an HSBC Student bank account

• be a UK resident (for at least 3 years, and not from the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man)

If you're new to the UK and have been living in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man for less than 3 years, you can instead apply for an HSBC Bank Account for International Students.

As a card for students who are often young and too busy studying to work, so there is no income requirement nor a minimum credit history. For the most part, applicants need to have been a UK resident for 3 years, be 18 years of age and be (or soon be) a student or Level 4+ apprentice - so this is not a good option for international students who've just arrived in the UK.

Using the HSBC Student Credit Card Abroad

Many students travel during school holidays, so it's important to understand the fees you'll pay by using this credit card abroad and when not to use your card. The following table illustrates the fees for using the HSBC Student Credit Card overseas.

It's important to note that withdrawing local currency from a foreign ATM is very expensive, as you'll incur DOUBLE fees - these transactions are subject to both a foreign transaction fee (2.99%) and a cash withdrawal fee (2.99%, £3 min). In addition, there's no grace period on cash withdrawals so interest charges start accruing immediately.

To understand the implications of these charges, the following chart illustrates the fees associated with £300 worth of foreign credit card purchases and three cash withdrawals worth £100 each. Note, it is never optimal to withdraw less than £100 worth of currency, due to the £3 minimum cash fee - that is, you're charged £3 on any cash withdrawal under £100 in value.

FAQs

Should I Pay in Pounds Abroad, to Avoid the Foreign Transaction Charge?

It's usually cheaper to pay in the local currency when you're abroad, even if there are foreign transaction fees, because if you choose to pay in pounds then the retailer picks the currency exchange rate - which can be pretty poor. Using the HSBC student credit card abroad, you can either pay in pounds and be subject to a suboptimal retailer exchange rate you can pay in the local currency and incur a 2.99% fee. FYI there are some [fees for foreign transactions]credit cards that don't charge foreign transaction fees](/best-travel-credit-cards).

Can the HSBC student card be used online?

Yes, you can use the HSBC student credit card for online purchases.

Do HSBC student accounts get credit and debit cards?

HSBC student accounts come with a debit card. They don't come with a credit card, but those with a student current account can apply for one.

Does HSBC student account charge for using card abroad?

Yes, the HSBC student credit card charges fees when you use it abroad.