The 2023/24 academic year is winding to a close. With dissertations due and final exams about to get underway, attention is starting to shift to September and the start of the next academic year.
No matter whether 2024/25 will be your first year at university or the start of your final year, it's vital that you find a student broadband deal that will meet your demands. After all, if you buy a broadband deal that's too slow or one that's unsuitable for the number of people you're living with, you'll suffer from buffering and lag. These are problems that are equally as frustrating no matter whether you're trying to revise, complete your coursework or even just chill while watching your favourite Netflix shows.
Have you been given the unenviable task of sorting out a student broadband deal for the next academic year? Well, the good news is that we're here to help you. In this in-depth guide, we've broken down everything you need to consider when choosing a new broadband deal, including speeds, costs, providers and contract types.
Within this guide, you'll also find a detailed rundown of all the different types of student broadband available and how you can tell which is right for you. So, scroll down to find the best deal for your needs - then you can get straight back to studying.
What is student broadband?
A 'student broadband deal' is exactly what it sounds like. It's a broadband package that has been designed specifically with students in mind. For example, these deals are usually slightly cheaper and many run for nine months, so they match up with the academic year. As a result, you usually need to be a student to buy a package like this and you may need to show ID to prove you're actually a student when purchasing the offer.
Sadly, the reality is that student broadband deals aren't as widely available as they used to be and some providers have withdrawn them from the market entirely. However, in late summer and early autumn (just before the new academic year starts), some providers will make them available again. It's well worth keeping an eye out for them, too. They can save you a good sum of money if you can find one that meets your needs.
See all of today's best broadband deals
As the end of the 2023/24 academic year is fast approaching, the number of student broadband deals available is relatively limited. However, if you need something that will get you through the end of this year and summer, then a number of good short-term deals are available. Added to this, you may even find a great 12-month deal that will take you through the next academic year, too (provided you're staying in the same property).
To find out exactly what's available in your area, simply put your postcode into our deal checker below. You’ll then just need to click on the one that you like the look of.
Confused by all the jargon? Unsure what speeds you actually need? Well, help is at hand. Below the widget we've answered a number of popular questions from students just like you.
Student broadband deals: FAQ
What internet speed should I get?
There are a few different types of broadband packages and these offer different internet speeds - the main ones are ADSL, fibre and superfast fibre.
For most student homes, ADSL packages will be too slow. These offer average download speeds of 10-12Mbps and they're unsuitable for households (like student houses) where more than one person is online at the same time. They'll also really struggle if you plan to spend long days binge-watching your favourite shows on Netflix, which is what student life is all about.
That said, if you live on your own and only use the internet for light use (think sending emails, browsing the web and checking your social media), then you could get by with an ADSL package that will save you some much-needed cash.
However, most students choose fibre internet packages. These usually offer speeds that range from between 30Mbps to 80Mbps. Packages like these are offered by all the top internet service providers and they usually provide much faster speeds at a price that's still affordable.
Thankfully, the price of these deals has reduced greatly in recent years and fibre deals are now only slightly more expensive than ADSL packages. You'll usually find that the slight increase in price is more than worth the additional convenience.
While a 30Mbps package will work well for a smaller household, students in bigger properties or households with more than four people should consider upgrading to a 70-80Mbps package. It will cost you a few pounds extra a month, but it'll ensure you all get the connection you need.
Finally, if you live in a particularly large household or your housemates are all completing internet- intensive degrees like film studies or computer engineering, then you'll need something even faster.
In these instances, it's worth opting for one of the top superfast fibre plans. These offer speeds that exceed the 100Mbps+ mark. However, the extra speed you receive with these deals definitely comes at a cost. After all, these are the most expensive packages on the market, so it's worth double checking that you actually need superfast speeds before you sign up.
What will the length of the contract be?
Well, it depends...
In 2024, most internet service providers offer contracts that range from one month to two years.
Now, for the vast majority of students, two-year contracts are unsuitable. After all, the majority of tenancy agreements only last for 12 months. This means that after the end of your tenancy you'll need to pay a hefty fee to leave your contract early. This will likely eliminate any savings you've made during the course of the contract.
By contrast, one-month contracts offer the ultimate in flexibility. This means that if you only need a connection that will last from now until your exams in May, a deal like this could be a good choice. However, it's important to note that because there's no minimum commitment in place, it's common for these deals to come with large upfront fees. They're usually rather expensive, too.
If you've already renewed your tenancy for the next academic year and you're staying in the same property with the same people, then it's worth searching for a 12-month contract. These will provide you with price certainty and you'll receive coverage into the 2024/25 academic year.
Your final option is to use a monthly connection until summer and then buy a 12 or 9-month deal. There aren't many 9-month deals available on the market at the moment, but they're a great option because they're designed for students. You can arrange for them to start in September and finish in May, when you go home for summer.
Which provider is best for students?
Sadly, none of the UK's most popular broadband providers specialise in broadband for students. However, this doesn't mean that there aren't great deals out there!
The best provider for your needs will be determined by a number of factors, including: when you're looking (providers may have certain deals on), your budget and the average download speeds you need to receive.
That said, a general rule of thumb is that you should look past BT, Sky and Virgin Media. This is because, unless they have a sale on, you'll likely find that they're too expensive for you. Instead, look to the likes of Vodafone, TalkTalk, Plusnet and others. These providers not only specialise in cheap deals, but they also offer shorter contract lengths.
However, we do still recommend that you scour the market for the best deals available. This way, you can make sure that you've left no stone unturned in your quest for the cheapest and best deals available.
Of course, checking what each provider can offer you manually can be very time consuming. This is where we can help! To save yourself lots of time, simply put your postcode into the widget at the top of this page. Just provide us with a little bit of basic info and we'll show you every option on the market that matches your needs.
How much will my broadband cost?
When looking for deals, remember that cheaper isn't always best. Particularly as a student, it's easy to get lured in by headline figures and savings. But, try and keep in mind that if all your housemates are likely to be online at the same time then the cheap packages won't meet your needs. As a result, it's worth paying more for a faster connection that will keep everyone happy.
Plus, if you have plenty of housemates, you can get a great deal for less per person as the extra cost of a significantly better package is shared between you. With more people pitching in, that deal you thought was pricey might actually be much more affordable.
As a rough guide, ADSL deals usually cost around £25 per month. This is about the same as budget fibre deals (30Mbps). Meanwhile, upgraded fibre packages (80Mbps) will set you back around £35 per month. Finally, if you're looking at the best Full Fibre packages (100Mbps+), you'll need to spend at least £45 monthly.
But, the exact amount you'll need to pay will be determined by exactly what's available at your address and the special offers that are available. Use our postcode checker on this page and we'll show you exactly what deals your property can receive.
Should I bundle up broadband and TV?
Again, it depends. But generally speaking, if you want some form of TV subscription that goes beyond Freeview, it's usually cheaper to bundle it in with your internet.
So, if you're planning on staying in at the weekend and watching tons of Premier League football, or you and your housemates want to schedule weekly film nights where you gather and watch the latest releases on Sky Cinema, then it may be worth considering whether you want to find a broadband and TV bundle.
Loads of different broadband and TV packages are available, and each suits a different budget. You can easily find something cheap and basic that offers you access to streaming services, options that provide NOW TV and packages that give you full access to Sky or Virgin Media.
Other factors to consider when selecting your student broadband deal
- What you'll use the internet for - before you select a package, ask your housemates how they'll use the internet. This way, you can ensure you're picking one that offers the right speeds for your needs.
- Will the Wi-Fi reach? - if you're living in a particularly large or old home then there may be Wi-Fi dead spots. If you think this is the case, you may need a guarantee or a signal booster.
- Whether you need a phone line - many deals require you to have a landline at the property, but this isn't always the case and you may be able to save money by getting a package where you don't need to pay for line rental.
- Set-up time - It can take 2-4 weeks for your connection to go live, so make sure you pick a package well before you actually need it.
- Data allowances and download limits - most broadband deals come with unlimited downloads, but this is something you should check before you sign-up. Deals that have data limits may not be suitable if you're all planning on downloading and streaming TV.
- Mobile broadband - if you don't think a traditional fixed-line connection is right for your needs, take a look at the latest 4G broadband deals and 5G broadband deals.
More student broadband admin you might encounter
The above aspects are also things that can affect us, even when setting up a domestic broadband package, but there are some student-specific admin tasks you may encounter. These include:
- Getting your landlord onboard - having installation work done might involve alterations to your student house, so you should run this by your landlord first to help avoid issues.
- Fitting your time around engineers - simply put, you need to make sure someone will be in at your student house to let in the engineers so they can do their work.
- Choosing whose name to use - you’ll likely only be able to set up your student broadband in one name, so you need to decide that as soon as possible. Ultimately they will be responsible for managing the account and keeping up with the payments.
- Being able to use your .ac email - this can be required to prove your eligibility for a student broadband deal.
- Remembering to cancel your student broadband - whether you’re on a rolling or 12-month contract, as and when you move out/finish your term, make sure you cancel your deal to avoid continuing payments.
Find the best student broadband deals
Still searching for the best student broadband deals? Head over to our main broadband deals guide. Here we've outlined all the best tariffs available on the market.
