Wondering how to get the cheapest student broadband deals in the UK? We have all the info you need to find the best internet packages for less.
Having good broadband is a must if you’re a student, considering the number of deadlines and assignments you have to complete.
But it can be tricky if you live in a shared accommodation or are renting privately. Especially if you don’t want to end up paying more than you can afford.
So how do you find the best student broadband deals in the UK? We’ve got everything you need to know.
Not a student anymore? You can have a look at our best broadband deals, which are updated weekly to give you the best offers.
Table of Contents
What is student broadband?
Simply put, student broadband is a broadband package designed specifically for students.
In comparison to the average household, students often have different needs when it comes to internet access. This could include having multiple users at the same time, splitting the bills and shorter contract lengths.
With this in mind, broadband providers offer flexible packages to match the needs of students.
This could be nine-month deals that begin along with the academic year and end right before the summer holidays. Or 30-day rolling contracts that you can renew as you go.
With such packages, you get flexibility around your internet packages. This way, you won’t have to worry about penalty fees or being tied down to a lengthy contract.
And with money being tight, your broadband could also be one less thing to worry about.
But this doesn’t mean that you should only look for student broadband deals. There are other cheap broadband deals that offer good internet access.
Here’s how you can find the best student broadband deals in the UK.
What should you look out for when choosing the best student broadband deals?
Here are some important things you need to consider when looking for the best student broadband deals in the UK:
Download speed
Deciding what broadband speed you should get depends on several factors. It can be tempting to want the fastest internet speed. But that doesn’t make sense if you don’t use it that much. Plus, it ends up being costly.
Here’s a breakdown of the different broadband speeds and what they’re best suited for.
| Broadband speed category | Average speed | How many people can use it | Ideal usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard or ADSL | 10-11Mbps | 1-2 | Checking emails, light social media usage, web browsing, music or video streaming |
| Superfast | 30Mbps - 300Mbps | 2-6 | 4K streaming, gaming, remote studies |
| Ultrafast | 300Mbps - 1,000Mbps | 6-10 | Large households, internet-intensive degrees like software engineering or design, 4K streaming, heavy gaming. |
| Gigabit | Over 1,000Mbps | 10+ | 360-degree video and VR, video-based content creation, live streaming, heavy cloud storage. |
Consider getting a student broadband deal that gives you the best internet speed at an affordable price.
Contract length
What contract length you opt for depends on how long your student accommodation is for. Here are some lengths you could go for:
If you’re staying in the same accommodation for over a year, it’s best to get an 18-month or 24-month contract. This way you get access to more broadband deals and can find what suits you best.
Most student accommodations are for a one-year period, so twelve-month contracts are the most popular ones for student broadband deals. Remember not to go for a longer contract as you will have to pay an exit fee if you cancel early.
To avoid paying for broadband when you’re not using it, try looking for nine-month-long contracts. These are ideal if you’re going back home for the summer and don’t want to pay for unused broadband. But they are also rare to find – Virgin Media and BT are known to do these.
If you want a lot of flexibility around your broadband contract, you can opt for one-month rolling contracts. Sometimes they end up being more expensive than 12-month contracts. So you should be cautious before making a decision.
However, other broadband contracts allow you to cancel just 30 days in advance. Some of these options are Cuckoo and Hyperoptic.
Ultimately, what matters is that you compare student broadband deals of all types to make sure you don’t overpay. Don’t forget to consider setup costs as well. Although Cuckoo has a flexible cancellation policy, its setup cost is quite high at £60.
Broadband provider
As a student, choosing the best broadband provider depends on several factors. It means that they are cheap and provide shorter contract lengths.
You should also check whether you can get the broadband service in your location, its speed and reliability. It’s also good to consider any cancellation policies, as you don’t want to commit long-term and waste your money.
Broadband cost
It’s difficult to look past broadband deals that aren’t cheap. However, sometimes low-cost deals aren’t as good. If everyone in your household is using the internet at the same time and it lags, you’ll probably need to pay for faster speeds.
Having a slow or unreliable internet connection can affect your learning. You shouldn’t have to stare at your screen for ten minutes for a research paper to download.
As a result, upgrading to a slightly better broadband connection can do wonders for your uni work. And with more people sharing the package, the less you have to pay.
Broadband bundles
If you’re looking for the best cheap broadband deals, one way is to bundle up broadband and TV. It’s worth considering if you plan to get streaming services or entertainment and sports packages.
By bundling these services, you could pay less for more and get access to all your subscriptions in one place. Plus, it’s perfect if you live with housemates as you can split the costs of these services.
You can watch Netflix, Apple TV Plus, Premier League matches or any of your favourite TV series. Keep in mind that the package you get depends on your budget, contract length and what you want to watch.
How long does it take to install broadband?
Broadband installation can typically take around 14 working days. This depends on whether or not you need an engineer to visit.
Ideally, you want to have a working internet connection before you move into your student accommodation. That’s why it’s best to make sure you have contacted your broadband provider beforehand and fixed an installation date.
You can also check with your accommodation if they have any partnerships with broadband providers. Then compare the student broadband deals available to find the one that works best for you.
How do I check my broadband speed?
It’s fairly simple to conduct a broadband speed test. Go to SpeedTest.net to find out what your download and upload speeds are.
If this is less than what was advertised to you, complain to your broadband provider.
What happens when my broadband contract ends?
It’s a legal requirement for your broadband provider to inform you if your contract term is coming to an end.
Your provider must contact you at least 10-40 days before your contract period is up. This allows you time to switch your broadband provider to find cheap student broadband deals.
Depending on the contact details your broadband provider has, you will either receive a letter in the mail, email or a text message about the expiry.
You should be informed about the following things when your contract is coming to an end:
- When your current broadband contract will end
- How much you are paying per month
- What you are paying for
- How much you will pay after your contract ends if you don’t switch or let your contract roll on
- Any deals available to new and existing customers
However, keep in mind that rolling on your broadband contract can be more expensive. So make sure that you make the switch or use our broadband comparison to find better deals.
How do I cancel my broadband?
When your student broadband contract comes to an end, you will need to inform your broadband provider in advance.
If you leave your broadband contract early, you will most likely have to pay a penalty. How much you pay depends on your broadband provider.
However, in some cases, you don’t have to pay an exit fee:
- Haggle out of your contract: If you explain your situation as a student, you could get a better deal or leave your contract penalty-free. Learn how to haggle with your broadband provider.
- Midway price hike: If the terms of your contract change midway or prices increase beyond what’s mentioned, you may be able to leave early.
- Internet issues: If you are facing broadband outages or your speed is less than promised, log your complaint. The complaint needs to be fixed within a certain period or you are allowed to leave penalty-free.
- Cooling-off period: There’s usually a 14-day cooling-off period when you sign up for a broadband contract. During this time, you can cancel your contract without paying a penalty fee.
