Nationwide Building Society has confirmed new £100 bonus payments for students opening its FlexStudent account, adding on top of the existing Fairer Share scheme. The account, which relaunched on 15 July 2026, offers a £100 cash payment, £120 worth of Just Eat vouchers, and interest-free overdrafts up to £3,000.
Account Benefits and Conditions
Students who open a FlexStudent account from 15 July will receive 12 months of Just Eat vouchers worth £120, along with a £100 cash payment. The account also provides commission-free purchases and withdrawals abroad. To qualify for the £100 bonus, students must credit their account with at least £500 by 11 December 2026—typically the first instalment of their student loan—and make five debit card payments. The £500 does not need to be a single transaction.
Market Dominance and New Features
Nationwide captured 48% of the UK student account market last year and delivered over half a million (528,000) takeaways to freshers. This year, students will receive limited-edition debit cards in three random designs, available while stocks last.
Expert and Official Comments
Tom Riley, Director of Retail Products at Nationwide Building Society, said: “Starting university is an exciting milestone, but it’s completely normal for both students and parents to feel concerned about managing money independently for the first time. Taking some time to research and prepare before term starts can make the transition much smoother. A good place to start is by opening a student current account, which can help make everyday finances easier to manage. Our FlexStudent account combines practical support such as access to an overdraft with a mix of cash incentives and Just Eat vouchers giving students a little extra help as they settle into university life.”
Andrew Hagger, Personal Finance Expert from Moneycomms.co.uk, commented: “The high street providers are starting to announce their student bank account offers for 2026/27 with Nationwide looking to build on last year's dominant performance where it took 48% of the market. The Just Eat promotion was a big success last year with more than half a million take away vouchers downloaded - a massive hit with students. Interestingly 11% of Nationwide Student bank accounts were opened in branch, showing how those perhaps opening a bank account for the first time, value that face to face service.”
Rachel Springall, Finance Expert at Moneyfacts, added: “An essential part of any student current account is a generous interest-free overdraft, and combining this with cost saving incentives and free cash can make a huge difference to students. Nationwide’s FlexStudent account offers an attractive bundle, the £100 cash bonus can go towards the cost of study materials, and Just Eat vouchers help students save a bit of cash when ordering takeaways or groceries.”
