"Live Rent Free" is Handshake's student giveaway campaign, designed to help students worry less about money and focus more on studies, passions, and career goals. The giveaway is open to eligible UK university students aged 17 or older, and runs from 28th February 2025 through to 30th November 2025.
In 2025, a total of 20 students will receive £3,000 each - making up a a combined prize pool of £60,000.
Read more about Live Rent Free on our student blog!
Who can enter?
UK university students aged 17 or older.
Entry is open during the specified campaign window (28/02/2025 – 30/11/2025).
Please refer to the full terms & conditions for full eligibility criteria.
How it works
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You can enter the giveaway in one of two ways:
If you are new to Handshake, navigate to the Handshake Live Rent Free entry page and submit your entry by creating your Handshake account using your university email address.
If you already have a Handshake account, then click here to opt-in to the campaign.
Winners will contacted directly and receive £3,000 to help cover rent, bills, or other related student living costs.
FAQs
Q: How often can I enter?
Participants are limited to a maximum of 70 entries:
- 1 entry for creating a Handshake account.
- 2 entries for downloading the Handshake app and logging in on your smartphone.
- 2 entries for adding your work authorisation and socio-economic status to your Handshake profile.
- 5 entries for completing all profile questions on Handshake.
- 60 entries from up to 20 successful referrals.
Q: What can I use the money for?
Winners are sent the prize money as a bank transfer, which can be used in a number of different ways. All of our 25 previous winners have used the money for one of the following:
- Passion project - Got a side hustle or creative project on your mind? Invest the £3K into making your passion a reality - whether it’s launching a startup, creating art, or anything in between.
- Career growth - Take your career to the next level. Use the £3K towards courses, certifications, or networking opportunities that will give you a competitive edge in your field.
- Rent for a term - Imagine the freedom - no rent stress for a whole term. Use the £3K to cover your accommodation costs and focus on what really matters: your studies, experiences, and future career.
Q: How can I boost my chances of winning?
The best way to boost your chances of winning the prize is by referring friends.
- Earn 3 bonus entries per successful referral, greatly improving your odds.
- Refer up to 20 friends, unlocking up to 60 bonus entries (3 per friend).
- Earn a £10 e-voucher for every 5 friends you refer, with a maximum reward of £40 per prize draw.
Q: What’s the e-voucher incentive?
For every 5 friends you refer to us, we will send you a £10 e-voucher. This means that even if you don’t win one of the 20 cash prizes, you still win with vouchers!
- You can earn up to £40 per prize draw (for 20 successful referrals).
- With two prize draws in 2025, you can earn up to £80 in total.
Q: When will winners be chosen and notified?
Provisional winners will be drawn following the closing of the giveaway on 30th November 2025, and contacted via email within 5 working days of the draw.
Winners must confirm eligibility within 10 days of receiving this email, otherwise the prize may be offered to a reserve winner.
Q: Can I enter as a postgrad?
Yes! Both undergrad and postgrad students are welcome to enter.
Q: How is the prize delivered?
The prize will be paid via bank transfer.
Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy
Click the expandable header below to view the full competition terms & conditions and privacy policy.
Live Rent Free - Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy
I. Summary Terms & Conditions
Open to UK university students aged 17+ only. Giveaway entry period: 28/02/2025 – 30/11/2025. To enter, visit joinhandshake.co.uk/live-rent-free/ (http://www.joinhandshake.co.uk/live-rent-free/). No purchase necessary. Prize: £3,000, with twenty (20) Prizes available. To enter, you must be an enrolled student, have internet access, a Handshake account, and agree to the T&Cs. For full T&Cs and prize details, visit joinhandshake.co.uk/live-rent-free/ (http://www.joinhandshake.co.uk/live-rent-free/). Promoter: Handshake International UK Ltd, Birchin Court, 5th Floor, 19-25 Birchin Lane, EC3V 9DU.
II. Full Terms & Conditions
1. Eligibility: This Promotion is open to actively enrolled undergraduate and postgraduate university students in the United Kingdom aged 17 or over. Employees of the Promoter, its agents, and anyone professionally associated with this Promotion are excluded from participation.
If any winner is under the age of 18, we may require that these Terms and Conditions be signed by the winner's parent or legal guardian before the prize is awarded. Additionally, at our discretion, the prize may be awarded directly to the parent or legal guardian.
2. No Purchase Necessary: No purchase is necessary to enter this Promotion. You will require internet access.
3. Promotion Period: The Promotion will run from 00:01 BST on 28/02/2025 to 23:59 BST on 30/11/2025. The Promoter reserves the right to modify, extend, or shorten the giveaway period at its sole discretion if necessary, with prior notice to participants.
4. Prize Draws:
There will be two separate prize draws, each awarding 10 prizes. To be eligible, entrants must enter before the respective cut-off date:
- First Draw: Takes place on Tuesday, 3rd June 2025.
- Entry deadline: Saturday, 31st May 2025, at 23:59 BST.
- Second Draw: Takes place on Tuesday, 2nd December 2025.
- Entry deadline: Sunday, 30th November 2025, at 23:59 BST.
Entries submitted after a cut-off date will not be included in that draw but may be eligible for the next one if applicable.
5. Entry Carry-Over:
- Once the First Draw concludes:
- All users in the First Draw will be automatically entered into the Second Draw (maximum of 1 entry).
- Bonus entries from app download and profile completion (up to a maximum of 7) from the First Draw will be carried forward into the Second Draw.
- Existing referral bonus entries will reset to zero, allowing users to start referring again for the Second Draw.
6. How to Enter: To enter, visit joinhandshake.co.uk/live-rent-free/ (https://joinhandshake.co.uk/live-rent-free/), create a Handshake account using a student (.ac.uk) email address, and agree to the T&Cs to automatically receive 1 entry into the Prize Draw.
7. Prize Details:
- Prize Amount: £3,000 per winner
- Number of Prizes: Twenty (20) prizes available
- Maximum Prizes per Person: 1 prize per person
- Payment: The Prize will be paid directly into the winner's nominated UK bank account. Winners are responsible for providing accurate bank details. The Promoter is not liable for errors or delays due to incorrect bank information. To receive the Prize, the winner must have a valid UK bank account.
- Eligibility: Prizes are subject to eligibility verification.
- Prize Alternatives: The Promoter reserves the right to substitute a Prize of equal or greater value if necessary.
- University Limit: Each university can have only one winner per Prize Draw. If a student from University A wins in the First Draw, no other students from University A will be selected in that draw. However, for the Second Draw, all universities will be eligible again.
- Winner Limit: Each student can win only one prize within a 12-month period. If a student wins in the First Draw, they will not be eligible to win in the Second Draw or any other Handshake giveaways within the next 12 months.
8. Additional Entries:
- App Download: Download and log into the Handshake App for 2 additional entries.
- Refer a Friend: Earn 3 additional entries per successful referral (see Referral Guidelines below).
- Inclusive Workplace: Tells employers about your work authorisation and socio-economic for 2 additional entries.
- Profile Completion: Complete all profile questions on Handshake for 5 additional entries.
9. Entry Limits:
Participants are limited to a maximum of 70 entries:
- 1 entry for creating a Handshake account.
- 2 entries for downloading the Handshake app and logging in on your smartphone.
- 2 entries for adding your work authorisation and socio-economic to your Handshake profile.
- 5 entries for completing all profile questions on Handshake.
- 60 entries from up to 20 successful referrals.
10. Referral Guidelines:
- Consent Required: Ensure you have obtained your friend's consent before sharing your referral link.
- Close Friends Only: Referrals are limited to close friends. Self-referrals are prohibited and may lead to disqualification.
- One Referral per Friend: If a friend receives multiple referral links, only the first clicked link is valid.
- Capped Entries: Maximum of 20 successful referrals (60 additional entries). Further referrals will not yield additional entries.
- Prohibited Activities: Any attempt to manipulate the Promotion, including automated referrals, may result in disqualification. Students referring themselves using variations of their university email linked to their original email will be automatically removed from the draw.
- No Public Distribution: Referral links must not be shared publicly with non-close friends.
11. Referral E-Voucher Incentive: During the giveaway entry period (28/02/2025 – 30/11/2025) students will receive a £10 e-voucher for every 5 new friends referred, redeemable at leading retailers.
- Referral bonuses are capped at 20 friends per Prize Draw, allowing students to earn a maximum of £40 per Prize Draw.
- As there are two Prize Draws (see T&C 4), students can earn up to £80 in total (£40 per Prize Draw).
- After the first Prize Draw (May 2, 2025), the referral bonus will reset, allowing students to refer up to 20 new friends again for the second Prize Draw.
E-Voucher Terms:
- E-vouchers will be distributed at the end of each month to eligible students.
- E-vouchers are valid for 12 months from the issue date. After this period, they expire and become void.
- Handshake reserves the right to modify or discontinue the referral e-voucher incentive at any time or exclude students found attempting to manipulate or defraud the system.
12. Winner Selection:
- Entry Logging: All eligible entries will be recorded in the giveaway database and assigned a unique identification number.
- Random Selection: A Random Number Generator (RNG) will select 20 provisional winners from the eligible entries. The selection process will be fair and transparent.
- Oversight: The draw will be overseen by a panel of Promoter employees to ensure compliance.
- Recording: The selection process will be recorded for internal compliance and kept confidential.
- Provisional Winners: Selected winners are subject to eligibility verification. The Promoter reserves the right to disqualify entrants who do not meet eligibility or violate terms.
13. Winner Notification:
- Provisional winners will be contacted via email within 5 working days of the draw.
- Winners must confirm eligibility within 10 days or risk disqualification, in which case the prize will be offered to a reserve winner.
14. Prize Acceptance, Verification and Delivery:
- Winners must provide the required verification documents and complete a phone interview with Handshake.
- Once verification is successfully completed, the Prize will be delivered within 45 days.
- If the Prize does not arrive within this period, the winner must notify the Promoter within a further 14 days.
- Failure to notify the Promoter within this timeframe may result in forfeiture of the Prize.
15. Behaviour and Compliance:
The Promoter reserves the right to withhold the Prize if a winner fails to comply with directions or behaves in a disruptive or anti-social manner. Non-compliance with these Terms may result in Prize forfeiture.
16. Publicity:
Winners’ details (first name, surname, university, course) will be shared. Winners will be required to participate in PR activities, including a photo opportunity.
17. Non-Transferability:
Prizes are non-transferable, non-exchangeable, and cannot be redeemed for cash.
18. Promotion Issues:
The Promoter reserves the right to cancel, modify, or suspend the Promotion if tampering, fraud, or other issues beyond their control occur.
19. Entry Issues:
The Promoter is not responsible for lost, delayed, or misdirected entries. Proof of sending is not proof of receipt.
20. Accurate Information:
Participants must provide accurate details when entering. The Promoter is not responsible for incorrect details affecting Prize delivery.
21. Verification:
The Promoter reserves the right to verify eligibility and may withhold a Prize until satisfied.
22. Liability:
The Promoter is not liable for any loss or damage related to the Promotion, except where liability cannot be excluded by law.
23. Fair Play:
The Promoter seeks to ensure a fair and secure promotion. Entries that violate the Terms will be disqualified.
24. Force Majeure:
The Promoter is not liable for delays or failures caused by circumstances beyond their control.
25. Fraud and Dishonesty:
The Promoter may refuse to award a Prize if an entrant is found to be dishonest or in violation of the Terms.
26. Personal Data:
Personal data will be used solely for this Promotion and handled in accordance with the Promoter’s privacy policy in section III below.
27. Validity:
If any part of these Terms is deemed invalid, the remaining provisions remain in effect.
28. Acceptance:
By entering, participants agree to be bound by these Terms & Conditions.
29. Discrepancies:
In case of discrepancies between these Terms and promotional materials, these Terms will prevail.
30. Governing Law:
These Terms are governed by English law, subject to the courts of England and Wales.
31. Promoter:
Handshake International UK Ltd, Birchin Court 5th Floor, 19-25 Birchin Lane, EC3V 9DU.
III. Live Rent Free – Referral Program
1. How does the referral program work?
The best way to boost your chances of winning £3k is by referring friends! Here’s how it works:
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You benefit, earn 3 bonus entries per successful referral, greatly improving your odds.
- Refer up to 20 friends, unlocking up to 60 bonus entries.
- Earn £10 for every 5 friends you refer, with a maximum reward of £40 per Prize Draw.
- Your friend benefits, they get a chance to win £3k and find their dream job on Handshake.
2. What’s the e-voucher incentive?
For every 5 friends you refer to us, we will send you a £10 e-voucher. This means:
- Even if you don’t win one of the 20 cash prizes, you still win with vouchers!
- You can earn up to £40 per Prize Draw (for 20 successful referrals).
- With two Prize Draws in 2025, you can earn up to £80 in total.
3. How do I know if my referral was successful?
- You will receive an automated email from Handshake for every unique successful referral.
- Your bonus entry count will also update in the Giveaway Tab in Handshake.
4. I referred my friend, but I didn’t receive an email or see my bonus entry update, why?
This could be due to several reasons:
- Your friend used a non university (ac.uk) email address to sign up.
- Your friend is already a Handshake user. If they already have a profile, they don’t count as a referral (some students forget they’ve signed up before!).
- Your friend signed up via the Handshake app. Due to Apple and Android privacy policies, we can’t track referrals completed through the mobile app.
- Your friend didn’t finish creating their account. To qualify as a referral, they must:
- Fully activate their Handshake profile
- Opt into the competition and agree to the T&Cs
- Verify their account via email
- If they haven’t completed all these steps, the referral won’t count.
- Referral tracking delays at partner universities. If your university is a Handshake partner, referrals may take longer to be confirmed. Don’t worry! We manually review all referrals and will credit any that were missed.
5. What happens to my referrals after the first Prize Draw?
- Once the First Draw concludes:
- All users in the First Draw will be automatically entered into the Second Draw (maximum of 1 entry).
- Bonus entries from app downloads and profile completion (up to a maximum of 7) from the First Draw will be carried forward into the Second Draw.
- Existing referral bonus entries will reset to zero after the first Prize Draw, allowing users to start referring again for the Second Draw.
6. Are there any referral limits?
Yes, referrals are capped at 20 friends per Prize Draw, meaning:
- You can earn a maximum of 60 bonus entries per draw (20 friends x 3 entries).
- You can earn up to £40 per draw in e-vouchers (total £80 across both draws).
- Once the first Prize Draw ends, you can start referring again for the second Prize Draw.
7. What are the referral rules?
To keep the giveaway fair, the following rules apply:
- Obtain consent before sharing your referral link.
- Refer close friends only, public sharing is not allowed.
- One referral per friend—if a friend clicks multiple referral links, only the first one counts.
- No self-referrals, manipulating the system (e.g., using multiple emails) will result in disqualification.
- No automated referrals, any attempt to game the system may lead to removal.
8. How do I get my e-voucher?
- E-vouchers are distributed at the end of each month.
- They are valid for 12 months from the issue date.
- If you don’t receive your voucher, check your spam folder or contact Handshake support.
9. Can Handshake change the referral program?
Yes, Handshake reserves the right to modify or discontinue the referral incentive at any time or exclude students found trying to manipulate the system.
IV. Privacy Policy for Handshake’s Prize Giveaway
This privacy policy (“Privacy Policy”) covers how Handshake International UK Ltd (referred to as "Handshake” or “we” in this Privacy Policy) collects, uses, and processes your personal information when you participate in our prize giveaway (“giveaways”).
If you do not agree to this Privacy Policy, please do not partake in our giveaways. We may, from time to time, make changes to our policy and will update this page and, where appropriate, we will email you or otherwise notify you on the updates.
1. Controller
Handshake International UK Ltd
Birchin Court 5th Floor,
19-25 Birchin Lane,
EC3V 9DU
London, United Kingdom
E-Mail: contact.eu@joinhandshake.com (mailto:contact.eu@joinhandshake.com)
Data Protection Officer:
Handshake’s Data Protection Officer can be reached by sending an email to privacy@joinhandshake.com (mailto:privacy@joinhandshake.com) or by addressing a letter to our mailing address.
2. Categories of personal data being processed
If you choose to participate in our giveaway, you will be required to sign up to Handshake and confirm your email.
If you win a giveaway that includes the shipment of a prize, we will contact you to ask for a delivery address to deliver the prize.
3. Purposes for which the data is processed
We process this information so that you are able to participate in our giveaway and so that we can notify and announce you as winner, in accordance with the Terms of Conditions agreed between us. The legal basis for the processing of your data is Art 6 (1)(b) GDPR.
In general, we will use your personal data for the following purposes:
– Administering the relevant prize giveaway.
– Selecting and judging the winners of the prize giveaway.
– Contact the winners to inform them that they are a winner and to arrange delivery of the relevant prize.
– Delivering prizes to the winner.
– Using the giveaway entries for our marketing purposes.
4. How do we share your personal data
Access to your personal data will be restricted to Handshake employees on a ‘need-to-know’ basis. This access will be provided solely for supporting you as a giveaway participant, contacting you regarding your entry and to inform the winner.
5. International Transfers
Your information is stored in our database and may be processed outside of the European Economic Area (EEA).
These countries may not have the same data protection laws as the United Kingdom and the EEA. If the European Commission has not formally determined that such countries provide an adequate level of data protection, any transfer of your personal information will be subject to approved contract terms designed to safeguard your privacy rights and provide you with remedies in the unlikely event of misuse. For further information, please contact us.
6. How long do we keep your information for?
We will only retain your personal data in relation to the giveaway for as long as reasonably necessary to fulfill the purposes we collected it for, including for the purposes of satisfying any legal, regulatory, tax, accounting or reporting requirements.
7. Your rights over your information
By law, you can ask us what information we hold about you, and you can ask us to correct it if it is inaccurate.
You can also ask for it to be erased and you can ask for us to give you a copy of the information.
You can also ask us to stop using your information by emailing, writing or telephoning us using the contact details above.
8. Your right to complain
If you have a complaint about our use of your information, you can contact the Information Commissioner’s Office via their website at www.ico.org/concerns or write to them at: Information Commissioner's Office, the UK regulator for data protection issues (www.ico.org.uk).
DigIn Claim Your Free Tumbler Terms and Conditions
I. Summary Terms & Conditions
Open to UK university students aged 17+ only. Promotion period: 27/07/2025 – 01/10/2025. To claim a free Handshake tumbler, scan the QR code from the leaflet inside the Digin box and sign up to Handshake using the provided link. The QR code must be used to be eligible. No purchase necessary. 500 tumblers available, allocated at random to eligible claimants. For full T&Cs and privacy information, see below. Promoter: Handshake International UK Ltd, Birchin Court, 5th Floor, 19–25 Birchin Lane, EC3V 9DU.
II. Full Terms & Conditions
1. Eligibility: This Promotion is open to actively enrolled undergraduate and postgraduate university students in the United Kingdom aged 17 or over. New Handshake users only. Existing Handshake users are not eligible to claim a tumbler.
To be eligible, students must register via the official campaign QR code or specific sign-up link (see Section 4).
If any winner is under the age of 18, we may require that these Terms and Conditions be signed by the winner's parent or legal guardian before the prize is awarded. Additionally, at our discretion, the prize may be awarded directly to the parent or legal guardian.
2. No Purchase Necessary: No purchase is necessary to take part in this Promotion. Internet access is required.
3. Promotion Period: The Promotion will run from 00:01 BST on 27/07/2025 to 23:59 BST on 01/10/2025. The Promoter reserves the right to extend, shorten, or cancel the Promotion at any time with prior notice.
4. How to Claim: To claim, students must:
a) Receive a Digin box containing a Handshake leaflet;
b) Scan the QR code on the leaflet;
c) Sign up to Handshake via the specific campaign QR code or tracking link provided. Only registrations made through this unique method will be considered eligible.
5. Allocation of Tumblers: There are 500 Handshake tumblers available. To be eligible, claimants must successfully sign up to Handshake via the QR code before the following cut-off date:
Tumbler Allocation Draw: Takes place on or after Friday, 1st November 2025.Entry deadline: Thursday, 31st October 2025, at 23:59 BST.
Tumblers will be randomly allocated to eligible claimants following this deadline. Only one tumbler will be allocated per eligible claimant. Successful claimants will be contacted via email to confirm their shipping details (see Section 6).
Only one tumbler per person. One colour only. UK students only.
6. Fulfilment Process:
a) Eligible students will receive an initial confirmation email upon signing up.
b) Once the campaign concludes, eligible students will receive a second email requesting their shipping address.
c) If no response is received within 5 days, a single follow-up email will be sent.
d) If shipping details are not received within 5 days of the follow-up, no further attempts will be made and the item will be reallocated.
e) If the item cannot be successfully allocated after a second attempt, no further reallocation will be made.
7. Lost or Damaged Items: Tumblers lost or damaged in transit will only be replaced subject to availability.
8. Live Rent Free Giveaway: Students will also be eligible to enter Handshake’s Live Rent Free Giveaway as part of their sign-up process.
Please refer to the full Live Rent Free T&Cs at https://joinhandshake.co.uk/live-rent-free/terms-conditions/.
9. Personal Data: Personal data will be used solely for this Promotion and handled in accordance with the Promoter’s privacy policy in section III below..
10. General
- Promoter: Handshake International UK Ltd, Birchin Court, 5th Floor, 19–25 Birchin Lane, London EC3V 9DU.
- Prizes are non-transferable, non-refundable, and cannot be exchanged for cash.
- The Promoter is not responsible for technical errors, delays, or failures in claiming.
- By participating, you agree to these Terms & Conditions.
- If any part of these Terms is deemed invalid, the remaining provisions remain in effect.
- These Terms are governed by English law, subject to the courts of England and Wales.
III. Privacy Policy for Handshake’s DigIn 2025 Tumbler Giveaway
This privacy policy (“Privacy Policy”) covers how Handshake International UK Ltd (referred to as "Handshake" or "we" in this Privacy Policy) collects, uses, and processes your personal information when you participate in our DigIn 2025 tumbler giveaway (“giveaway”).
If you do not agree to this Privacy Policy, please do not partake in our giveaway. We may, from time to time, make changes to our policy and will update this page and, where appropriate, email you or otherwise notify you of any updates.
1. Controller
Handshake International UK LtdBirchin Court, 5th Floor19–25 Birchin LaneEC3V 9DULondon, United KingdomEmail: contact.eu@joinhandshake.com
Data Protection Officer:Handshake’s Data Protection Officer can be reached by sending an email to privacy@joinhandshake.com or by addressing a letter to our mailing address above.
2. Categories of personal data being processed
When you participate in the Giveaway, we collect and process the following categories of personal data:
- Name and email address, collected when you sign up via the campaign QR code or associated landing page.
- Shipping address, if you are selected as a winner and we need to deliver your prize.
- Campaign tracking metadata, such as UTM parameters used to assess campaign reach.
3. Purposes for which the data is processed
We process this information so that you are able to participate in our giveaway and so that we can notify and announce you as a winner, in accordance with the Terms and Conditions agreed between us. The legal basis for the processing of your data is Article 6(1)(b) GDPR.
In general, we will use your personal data for the following purposes:
- Administering the giveaway
- Selecting and notifying the winners;
- Contacting winners to arrange delivery of the prize;
- Fulfilling the prize delivery using a trusted fulfilment provider.
4. How do we share your personal data
Access to your personal data will be restricted to Handshake employees on a ‘need-to-know’ basis. This access is provided solely for supporting you as a giveaway participant, contacting you regarding your entry, and informing the winner.
If you are selected as a winner, we will share your name and shipping address with our fulfilment partner for the purpose of delivering your prize. We will not share your data with any third party for unrelated marketing purposes.
5. International Transfers
Your information is stored in our systems and may be processed outside of the United Kingdom or the European Economic Area (EEA).
These countries may not have the same data protection laws as the United Kingdom and the EEA. If the European Commission has not formally determined that such countries provide an adequate level of data protection, any transfer of your personal information will be subject to approved contract terms designed to safeguard your privacy rights and provide you with remedies in the unlikely event of misuse. For further information, please contact us.
6. How long do we keep your information for?
We will retain your personal data in relation to the giveaway only for as long as reasonably necessary to fulfill the purposes we collected it for, including to comply with any legal, regulatory, tax, accounting, or reporting requirements.
7. Your rights over your information
By law, you can ask us what information we hold about you, and you can ask us to correct it if it is inaccurate. You can also ask for it to be erased and you can ask for us to give you a copy of the information. You can also ask us to stop using your information by emailing, writing or telephoning us using the contact details above.
8. Your right to complain
If you have a complaint about our use of your information, you can contact the Information Commissioner’s Office via their website at ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint/ or write to them at: Information Commissioner's Office, the UK regulator for data protection issues (www.ico.org.uk).