As the new academic year gets under way, one in three full-time students feels occassionally or constantly out of control of their finances. So says reseach out today from YouGov and GE Money. It found that one in 10 students have 'no idea' of their financial position, while 11%constantly feel their finances are out of control.

Two-thirds (66%) of students have a job to help support them through their studies, and many (18%) need more than one job to help them make ends meet.

Students based in Northern Ireland are the most likely to work to fund their studies: just over three-quarters (77%), closely followed by Scottish students (73%), according to research by Halifax. The figure for London students is 65%.

Abbey has announced a new student bank account, which will be available from mid-August. The account will give £50 cash to students as an 'opening gift' as well as paying 4% in-credit interest on balances up to £500 throughout their university education.

But, although a credit balance is an unlikely financial situation for most students to be in, the account also offers a stepped interest-free overdraft, which increases annually. It starts at £1,000 in year one, rising to £1,250 in year two, £1,500 in year three, £1,800 in the fourth year. If you study for a fifth year you are entitled to £2,000 interest-free. For students with an agreed overdraft over the interest-free limit, the interest rate is 9.9% and there are no fees.

Steve Shore, Director of Abbey Banking, commented: "Going to university is exciting but can be a difficult time when it comes to finances. Key to successful financial planning at university is making sure your money, when you have it, is working for you and also that your debts are not costing you too much."

Other features of the account include a Visa debit or electron card with chip & pin, a chequebook and access to your money via the internet.

Students can open the account in a branch, over the telephone on 0800 032 8727 or via the Abbey website. Students will need to bring identification and proof of the course they are following with them to open an account.

Check out the best student accounts here

Read the CashQuestions guide to student finance

Searching around for the best broadband package may seem low on a new student’s list of priorities, but it is worth spending some time on locating the most suitable deal, as the savings can be substantial and  the peace of mind is priceless.

To find out how easy it is, read our special guide to student broadband here

More than a quarter of new students – around 130,000 in all - will be living with their parents when they start university in September.

This dramatic reversal of the dash to get away from home that characterised previous generations is explained by financial problems: living at home rent-free is the only way many young people can afford to go to university at all, according to research by LloydsTSB involving 1,000 young people who intend to start their studies this autumn.

Halifax is launching a new student account on Monday 4 August and the bank is claiming it's leading the market. Youngsters get upto £3,000 as an interest-free overdraft and the Halifax says there are a range of other useful goodies rather than free CDs or MP3 players. The same deal is being offered by the Bank of Scotland.

NatWest this week launches its 2008 Student Package, offering both  financial benefits and incentives, including the  popular 5-Year 16-25 Railcard, worth £120.

This card gives students a one third discount on most rail fares within Britain every time it is used, with an average saving of £122 a year. The card can also be used to take advantage of special discounts at hundreds of retailers, including Topshop and Topman, Domino's Pizza and Office.

The taxman is launching a campaign to help students understand about tax and national insurance According to HM Revenue and Customs, 76% of students are in paid employment: 58% of students work part-time, while 39% do "odd jobs" now and again.