Student money week

Student Money Week is 27 February – 3 March. Find out about what’s happening and how to get involved. 

We know times are tough and money is tight. And whether you’re really struggling or just want to know how to keep your finances in a good place throughout your time at uni, Student Money Week – held in partnership with LUU – gives you advice, events and giveaways to build your money management skills and help your budget go further.

Don’t miss out on free activities all week long including: 

  • financial help sessions from a local bank 

  • top tips from careers experts to help you find paid work  

  • a sewing workshop to make your own sustainable period products 

  • a chance to win a week on us worth £225 

Check out the full programme below to take part. 

For year-round financial advice, support and resources, or if you need to get help now visit the cost of living hub. 

Student recipe book: Share your favourite meal to win £225 

Monday 27 February – Friday 3 March 

Share your recipe 

Did you know living costs for an average student in Yorkshire are £225 a week? You can win a free week on us just by showing off your culinary skills. 

If you’ve got a tasty, great value recipe you’d like to share and contribute towards our student recipe book, fill out the Microsoft Form - you’ll be entered for a chance to win a £225 voucher! 

Money-tree: Share your top money-saving tip with other students 

Monday 27 February – Friday 3 March 

Leeds University Union foyer 

Sometimes tips and tricks only really make sense when they come from people in the same position as you. Add your top money-saving tip to our ‘money tree’ in the LUU foyer for other students to read. 

The first 50 students to add a tip to the tree each day will receive a voucher for a free daily lunch special at the Refectory, valid until the end of Student Money Week.

Don’t worry if you can’t make it on campus to submit your tip – send us an email at StudentCommunications@leeds.ac.uk and we’ll get it added to the tree for you! 

Yorkshire Building Society | Cost of living and how it affects you 

Monday 27 February (3 – 4pm) 

Microsoft Teams – register to attend

We’ve all heard or used the term cost of living, but what does it mean for you? Join the experienced team from Bradford-based financial services company, Yorkshire Building Society, to find out. 

This free online session covers handy tips and tricks to save you money, and explains how cost of living is affecting students just like you – did you know it actually costs you more to turn your TV on now than it did a year ago?! 

Spaces are limited so express your interest today. The first 15 students will be sent calendar invites via email, and all other registrants will be added to a waiting list.  

Yorkshire Building Society | How to borrow without going into debt 

Wednesday 1 March (3 – 4pm) 

Microsoft Teams – register to attend

Knowing how to budget and balance your funds is crucial to staying on top of your finances. Though it can be tempting to spread your purchases out using Klarna, there may be long-term implications if you miss a payment.  

Yorkshire Building Society’s experienced team are on hand to teach you all about lending, borrowing and good vs bad debt. 

Spaces are limited so express your interest today. The first 15 students will be sent calendar invites via email, and all other registrants will be added to a waiting list. 

Careers advice and CV review

Tuesday 28 February (10am – 12pm) and Thursday 2 March (12 – 2pm) 

Leeds University Union foyer 

Got a question about applications, interviews or anything careers-related? Need an application check for a placement, internship, graduate role or part-time job? Our qualified careers advisers will be running drop-in sessions in the LUU foyer.  

Come along and ask a question or bring along your CV/cover letter to get tailored feedback and advice. 

Visa and immigration advice 

Tuesday 28 February (10am – 12pm) and Thursday 2 March (12 – 2pm) 

Leeds University Union foyer 

Are you an international student? Do you have questions around applying for work in the UK?  

The Student Visa Advice Team will be at the LUU foyer to answer questions about working conditions, post-study work Visas, and any other immigration-related queries you may have. 

Drop by to ask specific questions or just have a chat to learn more about working in the UK as an international student. 

Freedom4Girls | Sewing workshop and free period products giveaway 

Friday 3 March (11am – 4pm)

Leeds University Union Room 5 

Freedom4Girls are hosting a giveaway stall and sewing workshop where you can learn to make your own reusable period pad.

As part of their ‘Make the Switch' campaign, the charity is encouraging people to make the switch from disposable to reusable period products, while fighting period poverty and challenging stigmas associated with menstruation. 

Find their stall in the LUU foyer for free sustainable period products, and join the sewing session anytime between 11am – 4pm in LUU Room 5. Sewing machines and materials will be provided free of charge. This is a drop-in session, so numbers will be limited to the amount of sewing machines available. 

UPDATE: Due to unforeseen circumstances, the sewing workshop has unfortunately been cancelled and will be held at a later date. Freedom4Girls will still be hosting the giveaway stall, with free reusable period products, from 11am – 1pm at the LUU foyer.

Rainbow Junktion Cafe | Community Bistro

Friday 3 March (12pm – 3pm) 

Leeds University Union foyer

Come and meet our Intercultural Ambassadors to find out more about the fantastic Rainbow Junktion café – based a few minutes’ walk from campus next to Woodhouse Moore.

The café intercept food that would otherwise be thrown away and turn it into healthy, nutritious meals for anyone and everyone on a pay-as-you-feel donation basis.

Social media activity 

Monday 27 February – Friday 3 March 

Instagram; TikTok; Student Twitter; Student Facebook  

Keep an eye on our social media channels throughout Student Money Week for a range of posts to help you manage your money, develop business skills, and more. 

  • Instagram Q&A session with Spark – the University’s business start-up service who helped fund businesses such as Too Good To go and LadBible  

  • TikTok with student tips on food shopping and meal prepping 

  • Instagram Q&A about the University’s Financial Assistance Fund