Going to university can be a big change. You’ll be in a new city, away from your parents, and perhaps living independently for the first time. For some, this could also mean you’ll be in charge of your own phone payments. Maybe you want an upgrade, more data, or simply want to purchase your first contracted phone. This might leave you thinking, “Can a student get a phone contract?”
Keep reading to find out more!
Let’s quickly cover what a phone contract actually is. A contracted phone is where you’ve agreed to pay the UK mobile network provider a monthly bill for the use of the phone you’ve chosen. This is usually a monthly contract where you’re charged for the airtime plan of the phone (the minutes, text messages, and data you use) and the phone itself.
For example, rather than paying hundreds and sometimes thousands of pounds for a brand-new phone, you can enter into a contract of a certain length – usually 12 to 36 months – and pay off the phone each month as well as use it.
You’ll agree to a monthly amount that should only fluctuate once a year when overall market prices increase, but your network provider will make you aware of this before you sign anything.
The short answer is yes. Anyone over the age of 18 can get a phone contract. You’ll simply need to provide your UK address, UK bank account, and proof of ID – a valid passport, driving licence, etc. However, it’s good to be aware that some providers may do a credit check too. This is where it can get tricky for a student to get a phone contract, as the chances are you haven’t built up any credit due to living at home previously and not having many outgoings.
Just like students from the UK, international students can get a phone contract, too. You’ll still need to prove your UK address, UK bank account, and identification to get your hands on one. Unfortunately, if you don’t have the relevant documents, you might not be able to get a contracted phone. Again, some providers may perform a credit check too.
For international students, however, a phone contract may not be suitable for you if you are staying in the UK for a shorter period of time. The typical phone contract lasts 24 months, so if you’re only here for a year or less, you might be better off purchasing a SIM-only plan. This is where you use your current, or new phone if you have the funds to buy one upfront, and pay for a new SIM card with the amount of minutes, texts and data you need.
If you can’t get your hands on a phone contract due to the lack of credit or other factors, all is not lost! You can use your current phone and look into SIM-only deals. This way, you’ll save money as you’ll only be paying for the airtime you use rather than paying a monthly fee for a brand-new phone too. If you don’t have a phone already, you can always purchase a second-hand mobile in good condition and put it on a SIM-only plan.
If you have a phone contract as a student, take on these top tips:
1. Check for student discounts
Checking if you can get a student discount on your phone contract is a handy way to save yourself a bit of pocket money! Check out Student Beans and UNiDAYS for more information.
2. Monitor your data usage
There’s no point spending more than what is necessary. However, many people spend more than what they need to and don’t end up reaching their data, text, and call limits. Monitor your data usage, minutes, and text messages to find out which phone plan suits you best.
3. Get your phone covered
It will give you peace of mind knowing that your phone is covered by insurance. Check out what student contents insurance is available.
4. Compare phone deals
Do your research and discover what’s out there. There are a variety of contracts with different lengths and other features.
Whilst you manage your phone bill, we’ll handle all your household bills. When using a bill-splitting service, you can determine your monthly phone budget based on your known household bills.
Split The Bills is a bill-splitting service that makes it super easy and convenient for you and your housemates to pay your bills each month. Let us know if you’re interested in energy, broadband, water, or TV (or all four), and we’ll get you a quote. Once you’re happy with this, we’ll add each of your housemates to the account so you can all log in separately and make your payments. This way, you won’t need a chief bill payer, and there will be no awkward conversations about missed payments!
Plus, you won’t need to speak to suppliers or set anything up – we’ll do it all for you. All you need to do is get a quote, get your housemates to sign up, and relax, knowing that your utilities are sorted.
If this all sounds right up your street, get a quote today or contact us with any questions you may have.
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