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Always make sure you can afford repayments before applying for any credit card.

The RBS Student Credit Card is no longer available to new applicants. RBS no longer offers a student credit card product. This page preserves a summary of the card for historical reference, followed by information on student credit cards currently available in the UK.

About the RBS student credit card

The RBS Student Credit Card was a no-annual-fee credit card designed for students, including those with no prior credit history. It was only available to holders of an RBS Student Bank Account. The card had a credit limit of up to £500 and a representative APR of 18.9% variable on purchases, lower than many credit builder cards at the time, which typically charged 30% or more.

The card offered a standard grace period on purchases: no interest was charged if the full balance was cleared by the due date each month. Interest on cash withdrawals was higher at 27.9% APR variable, and accrued immediately with no grace period.

A "grace period" refers to an interest-free period on a credit card. You'll get the grace period on new purchases if and when you pay the full balance by the next due date. For instance, if you spend £100 using your credit card and pay back the full £100 before the next due date, you won't be charged any interest (even though you technically borrowed money from the time of the purchase until you repaid the full balance.) By paying the full balance on time every cycle, you will never pay interest charges on your credit card.

All UK credit cards offer a grace period on purchases. Grace periods on other transactions such as cash withdrawals and balance transfers are unusual.

Each month, you're required to pay at least a minimum portion of the amounts owed on your card. The RBS minimum payment was calculated as 1% of your outstanding balance + and Default Charges + any interest due. Or, if your balance fell below £5, RBS asks you to pay the full outstanding amount to clear the account.

Paying ONLY the minimum amount due can be very costly, however, as interest charges accumulate on amounts carried over from month to month. By paying back as much as possible each month, interest charges can be limited - paying the full balance on time each month means no interest charges at all.

Features

The RBS student card came with a mobile app allowing cardholders to lock and unlock the card, analyse spending, make payments, order a replacement card and notify RBS of travel plans. Payment methods included Apple Pay, Google Pay, contactless and Direct Debit.

Using the card abroad

A 2.75% foreign transaction fee applied to all non-sterling purchases. Cash withdrawals abroad attracted the 2.75% fee plus an additional 3% cash withdrawal fee, making overseas ATM use particularly costly.

Eligibility at the time

To apply, students needed to be at least 18, be a UK resident, and hold an RBS Student Bank Account. The card was open to international students provided they had established a UK residence, though the student arranged overdraft was not available to international students. Proof of student status was required, which could be a UCAS status code, a letter from a university or college, or a Student Loan Company award letter.

Student credit cards currently available in the UK

Student credit cards in the UK typically share several common features: higher approval rates for those with limited or no credit history, no annual fees, lower credit limits to reduce the risk of debt accumulation, and relatively higher interest rates compared to standard cards. As with all credit cards with a non-zero APR, carrying a balance from month to month resulted in interest charges.

Always make sure you can afford repayments before applying for any credit card.

HSBC Student Credit Card

The HSBC Student Credit Card carries a representative APR of 18.9% variable (one of the lower rates in the student card market) with no annual fee and a credit limit of up to £500. It is only available to holders of an HSBC Student Bank Account. The card reports to all three major credit reference agencies, supports Apple Pay and Google Pay, and can be managed via the HSBC mobile app. International students who are UK residents may be eligible.

Representative example: Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 18.9% p.a. (variable) with no annual fee, the representative APR is 18.9% variable.

TSB Student Credit Card

The TSB Student Credit Card carries a representative APR of 21.9% variable, with no annual fee and a credit limit of £500 to £1,000 subject to status. It requires a TSB current account. The card supports Apple Pay and Google Pay and is available to those with a poor or limited credit history.

Representative example: Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,000 at a purchase rate of 21.95% p.a. (variable) with no annual fee, the representative APR is 21.9% variable.

Tesco Foundation Credit Card

The Tesco Foundation Credit Card is not marketed specifically as a student card but is available to those with limited credit history. It carries a representative APR of 29.9% variable, no annual fee, and earns Clubcard points on eligible spending: 1 point per £4 at Tesco and on Tesco fuel, and 1 point per £8 elsewhere.

Representative example: Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29.9% p.a. (variable) with no annual fee, the representative APR is 29.9% variable.

Credit builder cards as an alternative

Students who do not qualify for a dedicated student credit card, or who do not hold an account with a provider offering one, may wish to consider credit builder cards, which have similar eligibility criteria but do not require proof of student status or a linked current account. Options include the Aqua Classic (39.9% APR variable) and Capital One Classic (34.9% APR variable). These carry higher interest rates and are only suitable for those who can commit to clearing the balance in full each month.

A note on using credit cards abroad

Most student cards charge foreign transaction fees of around 2.75% to 3% on non-sterling purchases. Students who spend time abroad may find a dedicated fee-free travel card or current account (such as Starling or Monzo) more cost-effective for overseas use alongside a student credit card used primarily for credit building in the UK.

Usually, it's more economical to pay in the local currency when you're abroad, because if you choose to pay in pounds then the retailer picks the currency exchange rate, which can be suboptimal, and they may charge you for doing so. The other option is to pay in the local currency and incur a 2.75% foreign transaction fee. You can learn more about cards that do not charge foreign transaction fees in our guide on Travel Credit Cards.

If you are struggling with debt, free impartial advice is available from StepChange, National Debtline and Citizens Advice.

Card details correct as of July 2026. Terms, APRs and availability are subject to change — always verify current details directly with each provider before applying. This article is for general information only and does not constitute financial advice. ClearScore is a credit broker, not a lender.