Uni's over, what next?

For many, money management will have started at university. However, there’s a significant jump between managing your student loan and the costs associated with studying, and staying on top of a regular pay check, moving out of your student house, getting a 9 to 5 and the potential for long-term travel.

Money in the months after graduation

The Barclays app

If you need help managing your money, our app ¹could help.

    •     Check your balance on the go

    •     See where you’re spending your money

    •     Set up standing orders and manage your Direct Debits

    •     Temporarily freeze your card 

Register for the app.

Travelling

The time right after university could be perfect for travel – if you haven’t got work lined up yet or have decided to hold off on your applications, then you have a bit of time to explore.

If a few weeks away or even a long-term trip is on the agenda, there are a few things that you might want to think about first. For example, you could settle any bills and decide what you’re going to do with accommodation. If you’re going away for a long time, it may not be cost-effective to continue paying rent at home. If your contract is coming to an end, you could time your travel with that. If you’re moving out, make sure you get your deposit back because it might be more complicated to get a hold of when you’re away.

There are other things you could settle before you head off too – like your phone contract. You can be charged a lot for using your phone abroad if you haven’t got the right plan, and it might work out cheaper to buy a SIM card in the country you’re going to. It’s a good idea to tell your bank you’re going away too. 

Take a look at our other travelling tips. 

Moving out

You may be thinking of moving out of your student house. Maybe you’ve decided to move in with your parents or guardians to save money while you look for work, or you want to rent somewhere else.

When it comes to cost, you should consider what’s best for you, now and in the future. If you don’t have a steady income yet and no savings, you might not want to commit to a monthly rent that’ll stretch your budget too thinly. If so, you could think of cheaper options, such as staying in shared accommodation.

Either way, if you’re moving out, make sure to get your deposit back, pay any bills, and let your bank know you’ve changed your address.

Changing your bank account

If you have a Student Additions Account with us, when you graduate we’ll automatically upgrade you to a Higher Education Account, which is an account designed for graduates. We’ll transfer over any overdraft you already have, and you’ll be able to apply for an arranged overdraft limit up to £1,500 (subject to application, financial circumstances, borrowing history and lending criteria). You’ll also have a contactless debit card and access to benefits like Barclays Blue Rewards². The Higher Education Account is available for three years after you graduate – after that, you’ll be moved to another current account.  

Preparing for work

Internships

Getting an internship can be a good route into the career you want. It can prepare you for your dream job and get you the experience you need to apply for something you want to do in the future. 

Build the future, with us

Love technology? So do we. We’re looking for innovative students and graduates to help us create and implement the technology of the future.

Join the team behind digital breakthroughs like the world’s first ATM, the UK’s first contactless card, biometric finger vein readers, and the world’s first blockchain trade.

Come on board as a Developer or Emerging Technologist and contribute towards FinTech’s biggest innovations.

You’ll work with industry-leading experts on real projects, like blockchain, AI, big data, cloud, cyber security and open source technology. Your input will help to improve the lives of millions of our customers, clients and colleagues.

Choose an internship that suits you – we have spring, summer and full-time graduate positions available in Glasgow, Knutsford and Northampton. Apply

Your CV

It may seem straightforward, but some people have writing their CV down to a fine art. You need to make sure yours stands out – the person doing the hiring may have hundreds to read through.

Here are a few quick tips for writing a CV

• Make sure your contact information is correct and easy to find
• Keep things succinct and make sure the layout is clear and easy to understand
• Double check for spelling errors and inconsistencies in formatting
• Include information that’s relevant to the job you’re applying for – and think about cutting down bits that are irrelevant

If you’d like to get started with a CV Builder or want more CV tips, check out LifeSkills

First interview help

First impressions count – especially when it comes to interviews. Make sure you’re prepared with a good knowledge of the role and company.

This is your chance to prove you’re right for the role, so come prepared to explain why exactly you’re qualified. All sorts of things can be relevant – so even if you don’t have direct experience, you might have skills that are transferrable, such as good time-keeping or effective communication. You can practice your interview skills online, and it could help you feel more confident on the day.

If you need more information about work, or want to improve your skills, there are lots of articles and videos on our LifeSkills pages.