Budgeting & Other Support
It is a good idea to try to manage your finances from as early on as possible in the year. Here are some suggestions to help you.
Contact details and appointment times for the Financial Welfare Officer are below.
Extra Help from the University
The University’s social media channels and student support website for the Reach Out campaign provide information on how to access a range of support at Cambridge, including what to do if you’re struggling with money. See here for the range of support available.
Bank accounts
The University's Finance Division has provided a short guide to some of the banks available.
Always take your university card with you and ask for a discount, many shops will accept this. For others, you might need one of these apps/cards:
Free Apps (sign-up with your crisid email address '@cam.ac.uk'):
Discount cards:
TOTUM
- Recommended by the National Union of Students (NUS), this is a student discount, proof of age ID and campus life card and platform .
- There are 3 membership levels, digital (1-Year free), Totum and TOTUM + Age ID Card (prices start from £14.99 for 1-year).
- TOTUM Memberships
International Student Identity Card (ISIC)
- The ISIC card allows students the world over to prove their official student status and make the most of thousands of targeted student benefits and discounts in over 130 countries/territories.
- Virtual cards from £12.00 per annum.
- ISIC - Which card is right for you?
Budget options for the U bus and other Cambridge buses:
Cambridge City - Whippet - Tickets available from myTrip
- The best student discounts and how to get them - Which?
- Student bank accounts - Which?
- Supermarket prices: which is the cheapest supermarket in 2022? - Which?
- 11 tips to save on the cost of your subscriptions - Which? News
- Student budgeting: make your money go further as cost of living crisis bites - Student finance | The Guardian
- Student and graduate money - MoneyHelper
There are apps and other budgeting tools available online. Alternatively, see below for a personal budget spreadsheet for Postgraduates to help you review your finances.
If you have any other queries, please get in touch by email with the Financial Welfare Officer, or via the in-person appointments or online drop-in sessions (details provided below).
If you need additional Financial Welfare support, make an in person appointment ( in term-time) on:
- Mondays 2.30 - 4.30 pm (online only)
- Tuesdays 4.00 - 5.00 pm (face to face )
- Wednesdays 10:30 - 11:30am (face to face)
If you would like an appointment during the holiday, please email Financial Welfare Officer
Online meetings
Here is the link for an online meeting on Monday afternoon - other times available on request: fwo@girton.cam.ac.uk
Zoom details:
Meeting ID: 819 8904 1138 Passcode: 6Zp18k