Understanding student spending habits - TOTUM

AI is enriching professional services, and NASMA members have told us they want to explore its potential. Join this open discussion forum around AI in student money advice, facilitated by Matthew Townsend (Senior AI specialist at Jisc), to build on the inspiring AI session at last year’s conference and share practical ideas, challenges, and good practice. 

You don’t need to arrive with polished answers or technical knowledge. Curiosity is enough. Sharing an example, a concern, or even something that didn’t work is hugely valuable.

This session explores the link between debt and mental health. In particular it will focus on the use of the Debt and Mental Health Evidence Form when dealing with creditors as well as the possibility of requesting write-offs as an option for debtors who have been affected by their mental health.  

Demand for debt advice continues to increase due to a continued cost of living crisis, and many professionals working with struggling households will need to refer their clients to debt advice services. This session looks at the debt advice sector in 2026 - who provides and funds debt advice, how is it regulated, how do debt advisers approach a case, what solutions can debt advice provide, and what new challenges face the sector.

According to the House of Lords, a young person needs 30 hours of financial education to be financially literate. However, across many campuses, students are arriving at university with little or no prior financial education. One effective way to build their financial literacy is through dedicated financial capability workshops that equip them with the tools and skills they need to thrive financially.

Join Ellie Jacobson from University of Manchester Students' Union who has delivered financial wellbeing workshops across two institutions. Her workshops have covered budgeting, money management, and finances after university topics to ensure students feel confident with money after graduation.

In this webinar, we’ll cover how to structure a Finances After University workshop linking to the theme of NSMW26 and makes money conversations feel accessible and relevant to current students. We’ll also share examples of effective activities and resources, along with tips for encouraging attendance and sustaining student participation.

This workshop explores Buy now pay later debts (e.g. Klarna, Clearpay) and the new rules that are set to be introduced to regulate them next year. These new rules will grant greater protection for consumers, including those outlined under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act as well as the option to raise a complaint with the Financial Ombudsman.

NASMA are pleased to host National Student Money Week 2026 Discussion Forums. These events will provide a platform for discussion and sharing best practice, to help you kick start your campaign planning. 

Tell us what you are doing in your institution, what has worked and what hasn't. This is also a great platform to ask questions of fellow members if you are new to National Student Money Week. 

Space is limited as we want to keep the numbers of participants at a level conducive to an effective discussion, so please book quickly to avoid disappointment. 

There are two different sessions to choose from. If more than one member of your team wishes to attend, we recommend attending different sessions to benefit more fully from the varied discussion we expect.

NASMA are pleased to host National Student Money Week 2026 Discussion Forums. These events will provide a platform for discussion and sharing best practice, to help you kick start your campaign planning. 

Tell us what you are doing in your institution, what has worked and what hasn't. This is also a great platform to ask questions of fellow members if you are new to National Student Money Week. 

Space is limited as we want to keep the numbers of participants at a level conducive to an effective discussion, so please book quickly to avoid disappointment. 

There are two different sessions to choose from. If more than one member of your team wishes to attend, we recommend attending different sessions to benefit more fully from the varied discussion we expect.

NASMA are pleased to host a launch event for National Student Money Week 2026, delivered by Kellie McAlonan, NASMA Chair.

The theme this year is Future Ready: Money Skills for Success, taking place the week of 2nd to 6th March 2026.

At this event we will showcase the Campaign Pack and resources that will be available to help you deliver this campaign on your campuses, as well as the external partnerships that have been developed to support this national campaign. 

Join us to kick start you National Student Money Week 2026 planning.

This online event is also open to non-members, who are keen to engage in National Student Money Week activity. 

Across campuses, more students are navigating the challenges of housing insecurity and homelessness—often silently. When students face homelessness, good intentions aren’t always enough, and the age old question of 'duty of care' often arises.

Join us for this panel with sector practitioners, where we will discuss support approaches, looking at the key considerations needed to offer the best support to students, in a student-centred approach.

You'll hear from Amy Byrne from Manchester Metropolitan University who has been researching hidden student homelessness, and from Matt Parkin and Kellie McAlonan who will share the thought processes and approaches that go into their institutional responses in these cases. 

There will be an opportunity to share challenges and best practice, so come prepared to ask questions, not just of the panel, but the wider NASMA audience.