Top News

Between studying for exams and preparing for a daunting new world of work, the typical university student has a lot to juggle. But a new study has revealed that the hardest part of ‘adulting’ for most students has nothing to do with the classroom.

A new Visa study has revealed that more than a third of current UK university students consider managing bills the hardest part of being an adult. This outranks other responsibilities including eating healthy meals, keeping house and doing laundry.

Some of the pain points that resonated most with students when it comes to managing their bills include subscriptions and bills being higher than they anticipated, missing payments because of lacking funds and not being able to pay for essentials like rent and groceries because of unexpectedly high charges. The findings come just after amajor broadband provider introduced a new £60 charge and issued a deadline to act.

READ MORE: 'I gambled away thousands from my student loan before I started university'

READ MORE: Money-saving trend could help Brits push back on overspending with simple change

The study also revealed that 88% of students feel overwhelmed by the financial burden that comes with adulthood. According to Visa, manual processes like managing recurring bills through bank transfers is part of what makes the task so daunting for students.

Mandy Lamb, Managing Director, UK and Ireland at Visa, says that while leaving home can be a memorable milestone, the responsibility of having to manage your finances on your own can be “daunting” without the right tools. She continues: “And when things go wrong, students can often feel lost and unsure where to seek help.

The strain of managing bills is also causing tension between university housemates, according to the Visa findings. More students argue about bill payments than any other topics, including cleanliness, noise and even chores.

The findings suggest that students would welcome technology that makes bill management easier. There is also a desire for greater flexibility with payment dates and a greater understanding over payment terms and how to cancel or switch methods more easily.

The research comes after news that Gen Z is increasingly relying on Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) schemes to fund everyday purchases. Though new research suggests these plans are fuelling a growing reliance on short-term credit.

Another recent survey by the financial support provider, Money Wellness, revealed that BNPL schemes are blurring the line between money management and debt. The survey of BNPL users aged 18-28 found that over half use them to pay for holidays and festival tickets and that over a third of users believe it is a risk-free way to spread the cost of spending.

For more stories like this subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The Weekly Gulp, for a curated roundup of trending stories, poignant interviews, and viral lifestyle picks from The Mirror's Audience U35 team delivered straight to your inbox.

The growing prevalence of Buy Now Pay Later schemes even forced the UK Government to step in. In May 2025, HM Treasury announced new rules to end the “Buy Now Pay Later wild West” to protect the over 10 million people who use these types of products.

But while students are struggling, there is still a keen desire to understand how to effectively manage their finances. A 2025 consumer survey from Intuit revealed 58% of 18-35-year-olds are integrating financial management into their overall wellness routines.

There is also an overall push to integratefinancial literacy into early education. This past March, Conservative MP Peter Bedford brought forward a motion in Parliament to introduce a bill to make provisions around financial education in primary schools and tertiary education.

Speaking in Parliament on the issue, Bedford said: "Schools should prepare young people for the adult world. Yet for all the focus on balancing an equation, there is no attention given to balancing one’s bank account...we are sending our young people out into the world and putting them into the game of life without even teaching them the rules first."

Help us improve our content by completing the survey below. We'd love to hear from you!