How to Get Cheap Student Textbooks and Course Materials in the UK for 2026
Why Textbooks Are One of the Biggest Hidden Costs of University
When most people think about the cost of going to university in the UK, they think about tuition fees and accommodation. But for many students, textbooks and course materials are a surprisingly large expense that can catch you off guard in your first few weeks. A single core textbook for a law, medical, or engineering module can cost upwards of £50, and most courses require several books per term. Across a full academic year, it is not unusual for students to spend £300 to £600 on reading materials alone.
The good news is that you do not have to buy every book new at full price. There are dozens of ways to cut these costs dramatically, from secondhand bookshops to digital alternatives, library strategies, and student exchange schemes. This guide walks through every practical method for getting cheap student textbooks and course materials in the UK in 2026.
The Real Cost of University Textbooks in the UK
Before looking at how to save, it helps to understand what students typically spend. Here is a rough breakdown based on common subject areas:
- Arts and humanities: £150 to £300 per year (multiple paperback texts and anthologies)
- Sciences: £200 to £400 per year (lab manuals plus core textbooks)
- Law: £300 to £600 per year (statute books, case law texts, and core reading)
- Medicine and dentistry: £400 to £700 per year (specialist medical texts and reference guides)
- Engineering: £250 to £450 per year (technical reference books and software guides)
These figures assume you buy everything new. In reality, most experienced students spend far less by using a combination of the methods below.
Start With Your University Library
The most obvious way to save money on textbooks is to use your university library. But many students do not realise just how much their library offers beyond the main reading room.
Check the Reading List Early
As soon as your module reading lists are published, check the library catalogue. Most universities order multiple copies of core texts, but they go fast. If you can reserve books before the term starts, you are far more likely to get them. Some libraries also offer short-loan copies that can be borrowed for 24 hours at a time, which is enough to read a chapter or two between sessions.
Use Inter-Library Loans
If your university library does not have a book, ask about inter-library loans. The British Library network allows UK universities to request books from other institutions for a small fee or sometimes for free. This is particularly useful for niche or older texts that your library may not stock.
Explore Digital Library Resources
Many universities now provide access to digital versions of core textbooks through platforms like Vitalsource, Kortext, or BibliU. These are often free to students through the university and can be accessed from any device. Check with your subject librarian to find out what digital resources are available on your course.
Buy Secondhand Textbooks
Secondhand textbooks are one of the easiest ways to save 50 to 70 percent off the retail price. There are several reliable places to find them in the UK.
University Bookshop Secondhand Sections
Many campus bookshops have a secondhand section near the till or at the back of the shop. These are often books sold back by previous students. They are usually in good condition and are already matched to your module reading list. Check during enrolment week, as the best titles disappear within days.
Student Facebook Groups and WhatsApp Chats
Most universities have Facebook groups dedicated to buying and selling course materials. Search for your university name plus “book sale” or “course materials”. Students who completed the module last year are often keen to sell their books for a fraction of the original price. You can also ask in course-specific WhatsApp or Discord groups.
Online Marketplaces
Several UK websites specialise in secondhand academic books:
- World of Books: A large UK-based secondhand bookseller with academic titles often under £10
- AbeBooks: A global marketplace connecting you with independent sellers, often with textbooks at 60 to 80 percent off
- eBay: Search by ISBN to find exact editions, and filter by condition to avoid damaged copies
- Amazon Marketplace: The used section on Amazon often has textbooks significantly cheaper than the new price
- Wob (formerly World of Books): Offers free UK delivery on secondhand books with a huge academic selection
Use textbook exchange and swap schemes
Some universities run formal textbook swap schemes where students can trade books from modules they have completed for books they need next term. Ask your student union whether this exists at your university. If not, consider setting one up yourself with a simple Google Form or spreadsheet shared in your course group chat.
Consider Digital-Only and Open Access Textbooks
Increasingly, academic publishers are making textbooks available in digital format at a fraction of the print price. In some cases, they are completely free.
Open Access Textbooks
The open access movement has grown significantly in the UK. Organisations like the Open University provide free access to hundreds of course materials through OpenLearn. The Directory of Open Access Books (DOAB) lists thousands of academic texts that are free to read and download. JSTOR also offers free access to a limited number of articles per month for anyone who registers.
Rent Digital Textbooks
Platforms like Perlego offer a subscription model where you pay a monthly fee (typically around £8 to £12) and get unlimited access to a large library of academic textbooks. If you only need a book for one term, this can be much cheaper than buying. Just remember to cancel your subscription when you are done.
Publisher E-Book Rentals
Publishers like Pearson and Oxford University Press offer e-book rentals that last for a set period, usually 60 to 180 days. These cost roughly 40 to 60 percent of the print price. While not free, they are a good option when you need a specific edition for a module.
Share Books With Coursemates
If you have a friend on the same module, consider splitting the cost of a textbook and sharing it. This works particularly well for core texts that you both need to read but not necessarily at the same time. Set up a simple lending agreement so you both know who has the book and when. Many students find that sharing with two or three people on the same course works fine, as long as you communicate.
Buy Older Editions When Possible
New editions of textbooks come out every few years, and they are often only marginally updated. A new edition might have a different cover and a few revised chapters, but the core content is frequently the same. Ask your lecturer whether an older edition is acceptable for the module. Many are happy for students to use older editions, particularly for subjects where the fundamentals do not change much, such as mathematics, classics, or philosophy.
Older editions can be found for a fraction of the price on secondhand marketplaces. A textbook that costs £55 in its latest edition might cost £5 to £10 in the previous edition on AbeBooks or World of Books.
Sell Your Books When You Are Done
One of the best ways to reduce your textbook costs is to recover some of the money you have spent. Once a module is finished, sell your books to the next cohort of students. Here are the best ways to do this:
- Sell on your university Facebook group: This is often the fastest route, as buyers are on the same course and need the exact book
- List on eBay or Amazon Marketplace: Price competitively by checking what others are charging for the same edition
- Use a book buyback service: Sites like Ziffit and WeBuyBooks give instant quotes based on the ISBN
- Sell to your campus bookshop: Many university bookshops buy back textbooks in good condition at the end of each term
If you sell a £50 textbook for £25 after your module ends, your net cost is only £25. Do this across several modules and the savings add up quickly.
Check Whether You Qualify for Free Materials
Some students in the UK qualify for additional financial support that can cover course materials:
- NHS bursary students: Those on funded healthcare courses may receive a grant that covers essential books
- Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA): Students receiving DSA may be eligible for additional support for course materials in alternative formats
- University hardship funds: Most universities have hardship funds for students facing unexpected costs, which can sometimes cover textbooks
- Subject-specific grants: Some professional bodies offer small grants for course materials to students in their field
Speak to your student support office to find out what you might be entitled to claim.
Use Cashback and Discount Sites
If you do need to buy new textbooks, make sure you are getting money back on every purchase. Sites like Quidco and TopCashback offer cashback on purchases from major book retailers, including Waterstones, WHSmith, and Amazon. Over the course of a year, this can add up to £20 to £50 in cashback on textbook purchases alone.
You can also check Freebies.co.uk for the latest discount codes and deals on books, stationery, and other student essentials. Our guide to cashback and reward sites explains how to stack cashback with other discounts for maximum savings.
Plan Ahead and Avoid Last-Minute Panic Buying
The most expensive way to buy textbooks is to leave it until the week before an assignment is due. Panic buying means you will almost certainly pay full price, and you may end up with books you do not actually need. Here is a simple plan to avoid this:
- Get your reading lists early: Ask module leaders for reading lists before the term starts, or check the module handbook on your virtual learning environment
- Categorise by priority: Mark each book as essential, recommended, or background reading. Only buy the essential ones immediately
- Check the library first: Borrow what you can, and only buy books that are not available or are likely to be in high demand
- Set a budget: Decide how much you can spend on textbooks per term and stick to it
- Track prices: Use a price tracker or browser extension to watch for price drops on Amazon and other retailers
Final Thoughts
Textbooks and course materials do not have to be a major financial burden. By using your library effectively, buying secondhand, exploring digital options, and selling books when you are done, you can cut your textbook costs by 60 to 80 percent. The key is to plan ahead, know where to look, and resist the urge to buy everything new at full price.
For more money-saving tips for students, check out our student budget guide for 2026, our budget-friendly student meal ideas, and our guide to going back to university on a budget. If you are looking for broader ways to cut your spending this autumn, our September budget reset guide has plenty of practical tips.
