Graduate account

Get more from RBS

Information & details about your benefits
Mobile app features to manage your money and plan ahead
Help with planning your next steps after graduation
View your full terms and conditions
Frequently asked questions

Tools to help you on your graduate journey

Account benefits

Manage your money

Life after graduation

Renters insurance

Important information

FAQs

Your account benefits

tastecard

With a tastecard, you can enjoy 2 for 1 meals, 50% off your food bill or 25% off your entire bill, as well as the newest addition, 25% off barista-made drinks, available at thousands of restaurants and coffee shops across the UK.

Once your account changes to a Graduate account you’ll receive an email with your membership number. Then through the tastecard app you can register or renew your membership.

And the perks don’t stop there – there are plenty of other tastecard offers too:

Cinema tickets discounted
Discounted days out at the UK's best attractions
Exclusive membership perks.

Information Message

Exclusions on offers and available days may apply, check with participating restaurants.

Valid for 2 years. T&C's apply.

Use your tastecard Open in new window

tastecard

Once your account changes to a Graduate account you’ll receive an email with your membership number. Then through the tastecard app you can register or renew your membership.

And the perks don’t stop there – there are plenty of other tastecard offers too:

Cinema tickets discounted
Discounted days out at the UK's best attractions
Exclusive membership perks.

Information Message

Exclusions on offers and available days may apply, check with participating restaurants.

Valid for 2 years. T&C's apply.

Use your tastecard Open in new window

Interest-free overdraft

An overdraft is a useful way to cover unplanned expenses if you’re short of cash. Think of it as a short-term safety net.

In the first year after you graduate you may get up to £3,250 interest-free arranged overdraft.
In the second year after you graduate you may get up to £2,250 interest-free arranged overdraft.
In the third year after you graduate you may get up to £1,250 interest-free arranged overdraft.
In the fourth year after you graduate you will automatically move onto a Select account and your arranged overdraft will no longer be interest-free.

How does our overdraft compare?

A good way to compare the costs of borrowing products is by using the APR, which shows the cost of borrowing over a year.

If you have a Graduate account with an arranged overdraft limit of £3,250 following the first year after graduation and you use all of this, you will be charged arranged overdraft interest at 39.49% EAR on £1,000 of the £3,250 limit. Following the second year after graduation you’ll be charged interest at 39.49% on £2,000 of the £3,250.

If you're unable to repay what is owed, you could impact your credit score and borrowing capability. Subject to lending criteria. Over 18.

Information Message

Any arranged overdraft limits over the interest-free threshold will incur fees and charges. Representative Example: Effective Annual Rate: 39.49% EAR (variable). Representative 39.49% APR (Variable). Assumed credit limit: £1,200.

Apply for an overdraft Open in new window

Interest-free overdraft

An overdraft is a useful way to cover unplanned expenses if you’re short of cash. Think of it as a short-term safety net.

In the first year after you graduate you may get up to £3,250 interest-free arranged overdraft.
In the second year after you graduate you may get up to £2,250 interest-free arranged overdraft.
In the third year after you graduate you may get up to £1,250 interest-free arranged overdraft.
In the fourth year after you graduate you will automatically move onto a Select account and your arranged overdraft will no longer be interest-free.

How does our overdraft compare?

A good way to compare the costs of borrowing products is by using the APR, which shows the cost of borrowing over a year.

If you're unable to repay what is owed, you could impact your credit score and borrowing capability. Subject to lending criteria. Over 18.

Information Message

Apply for an overdraft Open in new window

Explore overdrafts in more detail

How do overdrafts work?

There are two different types of overdraft:

An arranged overdraft, which allows you to go overdrawn up to an agreed limit. This is the type of overdraft you could apply for here. During your application for an arranged overdraft, we'll run a full credit check to determine how much we can offer you.
An unarranged overdraft. This is when you spend more money than you have in your current account without already having an arranged overdraft, or when you exceed your current arranged overdraft limit.

We charge interest on both types of overdraft. Going in to an unarranged overdraft limit can lead to payments being rejected.

How much will an Overdraft cost?

This overdraft facility is subject to eligibility. You can check if you're likely to be accepted for an overdraft using our eligibility tool.

Any arranged overdraft limits over the interest-free threshold will incur fees and charges (39.49% EAR).

Looking to understand the costs of an overdraft of more or less than £500 over different periods of time? Use our handy cost calculator.

More about Overdrafts

Manage your money

Stay on top of your finances

Discover the mobile app features that can help you manage your money and understand your finances.

Click on a feature to learn more...

Budgeting and spending

We know it can be difficult to budget when you graduate. Planning your budget isn't always easy, but it's an important part of life. Luckily we have a range of budgeting tools which can help you throughout your journey.

The Mobile App can help you stay on top of your finances:

View your statements and available balance quickly and easily
Set monthly budgets on spending categories
Track your spending categories and highlights
Get tips on making the most of your money on the insights tab
Book a Financial Health Check to review your finances and help you make better and more informed decisions on your spending

Split bills

Get paid back without the faff of sharing bank details. Ask someone for money you're owed through the Mobile App.

Send a payment link via your device sharing options.
Show your QR code to get paid by someone nearby.
Or use Split the bill to share the cost of a transaction with friends.

Go to 'Payments' then 'Request money' to find these handy features.

Eligibility criteria and limits apply.

Find out more about requesting money

Credit score

Everyone should take time to understand their credit score. Banks and other lenders use a credit score to decide how likely you are to pay them back. Your score is based on how well you manage your finances. A bit like a financial footprint that shows if you’ve missed any bills for example. The higher your credit score the better your chances of getting a loan, credit card or mortgage. A higher score might also make it easier to borrow more money and maybe get a better interest rate.

You can use the credit score features in the app to:

Track changes to your score to keep on top of your financial health
See personal insights for tips on managing your credit score
Use the Score Predictor to see how future financial decisions might affect your score

Available once opted in through the app to customers aged 18+ with a UK address and is provided by TransUnion.

Check your score now

Life after graduation

Plan for your next steps

Everyone has different plans after they graduate. Discover ways to support your financial future.

Click on a goal to learn more...

Ready to start saving?

Life is full of big moments, and putting money aside regularly could help you be ready. But there’s no one-size-fits-all, you might:

Need fast access to your cash
Be looking for better interest rates on your nest egg
Have spare cash and looking to save for a longer term.

If you're looking to build your savings habits our Digital Regular Saver could be right for you. You can also save as you spend with round-ups. Pay with your debit card and we'll round up the amount to the nearest pound, then send the spare change to your saving account (conditions apply).

Whatever the goal we could have a savings account for you. Specific account eligibility critieria apply.

Check out our range of savings accounts

Find the right account for you

If you'd prefer one of our other accounts, you can change your current account online. It's quick and easy to change.

View our current account range. Specific account eligibility criteria apply. Monthly fees may apply.
After choosing your preferred account option, follow the steps to apply for that account.
When applying, make sure to choose the ‘change my existing account’ option and complete the application form.

View our full range of Current Accounts

Get set up for travelling

Whether going on holiday or planning to travel long-term, we may be able to support you with your finances while abroad. We offer a range of travel products and support that could help you prepare for your next trip.

Our mobile app could simplify getting set up for travelling and staying in control of your funds while spending abroad:

Quickly and easily order travel money
If you have a Travel account, you can track your Euro spend, seperate your holiday pot, and exchange euros from your linked current account
Register your trip in the app to notify our fraud systems that you are going abroad

Find out more about travel services

Renters insurance

Protect your goods with Renters insurance

Insuring your belongings is a wise move, especially during your student years. Take a look at Renters insurance to see if it suits your needs.

Find out more about Renters insurance Open in new window

Renters insurance

Protect your goods with Renters insurance

Insuring your belongings is a wise move, especially during your student years. Take a look at Renters insurance to see if it suits your needs.

Find out more about Renters insurance Open in new window

Important information

Take some time to review the important documents.

Your Current Account Terms (PDF, 330 KB)

Graduate Fee Information Document (PDF, 338 KB)

Frequently asked questions

What has changed about my account since graduating?

Your account number, sort code and debit card will stay the same.

Your overdraft limit will stay the same for another year. You won’t pay interest on an arranged overdraft up to £3,250 for the next 12 months.

In your second year on the graduate account, the terms of your overdraft will change and the interest free buffer will reduce to £2,250.

In your third year on the graduate account, the terms of your overdraft will change and the interest free buffer will reduce to £1,250.

After four years, we’ll move you to a Select account. Your existing overdraft limit will stay the same, but it won’t be interest-free. We’ll be in touch again next year to remind you about the changes to your overdraft.

How long will I remain on the graduate account?

Once you are moved to the graduate account from the student account, you will remain on the graduate account for 3 years.

Each year the amount of interest free overdraft will reduce.

Your account will automatically be changed to a Select account (we'll give you 60 days notice) after 3 years on the graduate account. If you'd like to explore if another account suits you, you can compare our alternative accounts here.

How can I apply for/change my overdraft limit?

If you hold a Student account and are graduating this year, we will be in touch to let you know we will be moving you onto a Graduate account in July/August. Your account number, sort code and debit card will stay the same.

Your overdraft limit will stay the same for another year. You won’t pay interest on an arranged overdraft up to £3,250 for the next 12 months.

In your second year on the graduate account, the terms of your overdraft will change and the interest free buffer will reduce to £2,250.

In your third year on the graduate account, the terms of your overdraft will change and the interest free buffer will reduce to £1,250.

To apply for an overdraft, you need to be 18+.

Will my graduate account automatically change to a Select account?

Your account will automatically be changed to a Select account (we'll give you 60 days notice) after 3 years on the graduate account.

If you'd like to explore if another account suits you, you can compare our alternative accounts here.