Textbooks: everything students need to know

Textbooks are one of the biggest expenses for university students. Every semester the same questions come up: where do I buy textbooks? Is it cheaper to rent? Can I find second-hand textbooks? What do course books actually cost? And do I even need to buy them? This guide answers all of it.

Where do you buy textbooks?

There are several options when you need to get hold of course literature. Campus bookshops sell new copies, but prices are often high. Second-hand textbooks can be found on sites like Facebook Marketplace or through student groups. Digital platforms like Memmo offer both buying and renting digital textbooks from over 500 publishers – often at a lower price than a new physical copy.

Rent or buy textbooks?

If you'll use the book for one semester and never open it again – renting is usually the smarter choice. You pay for access, not for a book that gathers dust on a shelf. Buying makes more sense if the book is a long-term reference you'll keep using, or if the price difference between buying and renting is small.

Digital textbooks – what does that mean?

A digital textbook is an e-book you read in an app or browser. On Memmo you get an e-reader with full-text search, highlighting tools, annotations and automatic citation generation. You can read on a laptop, tablet or phone – and your position in the book syncs across all your devices.

How much do textbooks cost?

A new physical textbook typically costs between £20 and £100. Digital versions are usually cheaper, especially if you rent instead of buy. On Memmo you can compare prices from multiple publishers and see both buy and rent prices in one place – so you always find the best option for your budget.

Do you have to buy all your course books?

Not always. Many textbooks are available at university libraries, either to borrow physically or read digitally. Always check with your library first. If the book is hard to get or only needed for a short period, digital rental through Memmo is often the fastest and cheapest option.

AI tools built into your textbook

For certain books from selected publishers, you can generate AI quizzes, flashcards and summaries directly from within the book in Memmo. No copying and pasting – the tools are built in. This doesn’t apply to every title, but where it’s supported it turns your textbook into more than something to read. It becomes an active study tool.