A student current account is your financial sidekick during uni life. It works much like a regular bank account - pay in your student loan, part-time wages, or the odd tenner from your nan, and use it for everyday spending.

But there’s a real bonus. Many banks offer interest-free overdrafts up to a few thousand pounds, giving you a buffer when funds are tight. On top of this, some throw in extras like railcards and restaurant discounts.

To open a student current account, you’ll usually need to be 17 or 18 plus, a UK resident, and have a confirmed place on a higher education course – your UCAS status code helps with that if you have one. Once you're set up, you can manage your cash easily through a mobile app, sort your bills, and apply for that all-important overdraft.

If your student account has been getting the job done so far, you might not have thought about switching. But sticking with it could mean missing out on better perks, like a bigger interest-free overdraft or freebies that better suit your lifestyle.

Most student accounts can only be arranged by first-years. However, if you already have a student account, a few banks will let you switch student accounts later on – even in your second, third or fourth year – as long as you’re moving from another student account. Your overdraft limit won’t usually carry over, so it’s important to make sure the new deal matches or improves on what you’ve got.

Before switching, check the eligibility rules and look closely at what each bank is offering this year. If your current account’s falling short, it could be worth the short-term hassle to gain better features for the rest of your student days.