Having cash to hand is a must for a student, especially with a night out on the horizon.

But despite increased financial pressures on students, it can sometimes feel like everyone else is doing OK.

Other undergraduates seem to parade around in designer clothes, with a constant supply of cash for booze and expensive sandwiches.

However, most students will need to get a budget on: If you’re about to head to university and are keen to get into as little debt as possible, or if you’re already there and feeling the pinch, check out these deals and tips to save money while you’re at uni.

Reclaim Tax

Potential saving: up to £900
If you work part time, or full-time for part of the year, it’s likely you’ll have overpaid tax through the PAYE scheme. Simply claim a refund from HMRC just after the end of the tax year (4th April). You have 4 years to claim a rebate and the HMRC has a handy webpage telling you how to go about it.

0% overdraft

Potential saving: up to £97
If you need to borrow, you may as well do it at 0% interest. Make sure you don’t go over your limit, or you’re liable to be charged up to 24% interest – ouch. Plus, you will be credit scored on this overdraft, so it’s really important to avoid unarranged borrowing.

After uni, switch to a graduate account to get the 0% rate for up to 3 further years.

Just talk to your bank about your options for a student overdraft.

TV License Refund

Potential saving: up to £97
You can reclaim your TV license spend for the summer holidays, providing your home is unoccupied during those months. Apply for a refund at the TV Licensing website.

Read our guide: > TV Licence refund: Get cash back on your TV licence

Student-only accommodation

Potential saving: £20-£150 per month

An all-student household isn’t eligible to pay any council tax. However, a mixed house (some students and some working) will have to pay council tax, either at a full or discounted rate.

There are no clear rules on who must pay council tax in such households, so the wise choice is to avoid mixed houses and live in student-only accommodation.

Grants and bursaries

Potential saving: £200-£4000
Grants and bursaries are free cash for your studies that you don’t have to payback, so can be great boost to your finances.

You can get various nation wide (England & Wales) grants from the Student Loans people during your student finance application, while bursaries may be available from your University for all sorts of reasons – be sure to ask and apply!

> Student Grants 2014: Guide to what you can get – and don’t have to pay back