If you simply want to use your phone to make calls the best method of ensuring the lowest cost supplier is to use a comparison website such as uswitch.com or firsthelpline.com . Some of the leading providers offer discounts for your most frequently called numbers so make sure you benefit from any discounts available.

Phone companies usually follow the notion that after 6p.m Monday to Friday and all weekend is “off-peak time” so calls are cheaper to make. Some packages may include free “off-peak” calls – perfect if you are at university or work all day. For example, the BT Evening & Weekend package has free evening calls after 6pm, and free calls all weekend – meaning that your bill is simply the price of the line rental, which has an additional bonus for paper-free billing.

When selecting a deal check how long you are signing up for – if the phone deal is going to be longer than the academic term you aren’t going to be saving any money.