student account with whatever benefit you think would be best, i.e. free railcard from Natwest, free cinema tickets from Barclays, and use them benefits for free. you don't ever have go get an overdraft just because you have a student account, when you apply you just decline an overdraft, if you want one at a later date you can have one. See what freebies the banks are giving away to students and take it. You don't have to have an overdraft if you don't want one. Just get the freebies, then if you do hit financial trouble, they're there to help you! You don't have to have a student bank account, but you might find that you don't have a high enough income to take a lot of regular current accounts. Additionally you don't have to take the size of overdraft you're offered - although I was advised to take it and not use it. And overdraft isn't magic money, it's only a loan, so it's not really there. Most current account also offer an overdraft facility so it's not something you'll get away from later in life - I think you'd be better off just learning to pretend it isn't there. It's just on a student one it's usually interest free. However, if you want a bank account without an overdraft you could look into a basic bank account: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/ban...-\\... Really I just think you'd be better off getting a student one, as otherwise it's a total pain if