Should you take a student loan? Martin’s five things you need to know about student finance
The Martin Lewis Podcast
BBC
4.4 • 929 Ratings
🗓️ 25 September 2025
⏱️ 64 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Martin Lewis has his five things you need to know about student finance, including how much it’ll really cost you, why the interest rate might be a red herring, how much parents are expected to contribute and much more. He also has an update on energy standing charges. And Tell Us is all about when you’ve saved a shedload of money… completely by accident! You can get in touch with the team by emailing martinlewispodcast@bbc.co.uk – make sure to send in your burning questions and any successes you’ve had following Martin’s advice!
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | BBC Sounds, Music, Radio, podcasts. |
| 0:06.1 | Hello, I'm Martin Lewis, and this is the cunningly named the Martin Lewis podcast. |
| 0:11.6 | I do wonder what that's going to be about. |
| 0:13.7 | Now, usually, much of it comes from my BBC Radio 5 live show with Adrian Childs, |
| 0:17.5 | but there's also bonus money-saving tips for you lucky, lucky podcast listeners. |
| 0:22.6 | Today's big topic. Should you take a student loan? The new academic year is starting and student |
| 0:29.9 | finances the most misunderstood money topic. And as big changes have happened in recent years, |
| 0:36.0 | as well as misunderstandings, many actually have got the facts wrong. |
| 0:41.0 | So, whether you're a student, a potential future student, a parent or grandparent, I've got the five things everyone needs to know about student finance, including how much it'll really cost you, why the interest rate may be a red herring, |
| 0:54.6 | the hidden parental contribution you must talk about before going to university, |
| 0:59.2 | and so much more. |
| 1:00.8 | Plus, regulator off gems announced that all firms must offer a low standing charge option from January. |
| 1:06.7 | You might think I'll be cheering because I've been campaigning for it, but I'm not. |
| 1:10.5 | I'm pretty disappointed in the way it's being implemented. |
| 1:14.0 | And a brilliant teller's, when have you accidentally saved money, |
| 1:18.0 | including the woman who got sent a bottle of bourbon whiskey for the price of a bourbon biscuit? |
| 1:24.3 | Play the theme tune. |
| 1:25.3 | I got meals. Play the theme tune. |
| 1:47.2 | Standing charges on your energy bills is something you've been campaigning about. |
| 1:53.5 | And there was news this week, but I understand you're not what might be called ecstatic about what's been announced. |
| 1:59.3 | No, I'm blooming disappointed would be a better way to phrase it and was incredibly frustrated when I heard. |
| 2:03.1 | Because ultimately, I mean, the truth is this is based on my proposal to the regulator. |
... |
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