About Textbooks.co.uk
We help UK students save thousands of pounds on textbooks every year
Our Mission
Every student deserves access to the textbooks they need without breaking the bank. We’re here to make that happen by helping you find the best prices, honest reviews, and smart buying strategies.
Our Story
My name is Nigel Hodgson. I studied at university in the UK and now work as a teacher and lecturer — which means I have spent years on both sides of the reading list: as a student buying textbooks I could barely afford, and as an educator recommending them to students facing exactly the same problem.
I remember the shock of discovering that a single textbook could cost £80 — and that I would need a dozen of them just for first year. After spending hours comparing prices across retailers, hunting for second-hand copies, and working out which international editions were actually identical to the UK versions, I realised I had developed a system. A system that could save students hundreds — sometimes thousands — of pounds.
That is when Textbooks.co.uk was born. Having spent years assigning reading lists as a lecturer, I know which editions genuinely matter, when an older edition is perfectly adequate, and where UK students consistently overpay. My mission is to share that knowledge so that no student has to choose between buying textbooks and affording rent.
I also built this site because the advice available online is almost entirely American — written for a market where textbook pricing, edition availability, and buying options are completely different from the UK. UK university students deserve a resource that understands the difference between Waterstones and Blackwell’s, knows that the SI edition of Young & Freedman saves you £40, and gives honest advice about when an older edition is fine and when it genuinely isn’t.
What We Do
Price Comparisons
We check prices daily across all major UK retailers so you always get the best deal.
Honest Reviews
Real students review textbooks based on actual use in their courses, not marketing hype.
Expert Guides
Comprehensive buying guides help you make informed decisions about which textbooks you actually need.
Money-Saving Tips
Learn strategies like buying international editions, renting, and timing your purchases right.
University-Specific
Reading lists and recommendations tailored to specific courses at UK universities.
Deal Alerts
Get notified when textbooks you need go on sale so you never miss a bargain.
Our Commitment to You
We’re independent. While we earn commissions from retailers when you buy through our links, our reviews and recommendations are always honest and unbiased. We only recommend textbooks we genuinely believe are worth your money.
We’re transparent. All our affiliate relationships are clearly disclosed, and we never let them influence our editorial content. If a textbook is rubbish, we’ll tell you—even if we could earn a commission from it.
We understand both sides. I have experienced the cost of buying textbooks as a student and the responsibility of recommending them as a lecturer. Every recommendation I make is one I would genuinely make to my own students.
How We Make Money
We’re upfront about how Textbooks.co.uk operates: we earn commissions when you purchase textbooks through the affiliate links on our site. This means if you click through to Amazon, Waterstones, or another retailer and make a purchase, we receive a small percentage of the sale.
Important: This doesn’t cost you anything extra—the price is the same whether you use our link or go directly to the retailer. The commission comes from the retailer’s marketing budget, not your pocket.
These commissions allow us to keep the site running, update prices daily, write comprehensive guides, and continue helping students save money. It’s a win-win: you get free, helpful information, and we can keep doing what we love.
Who I Am
Nigel Hodgson — Founder, textbooks.co.uk
UK university graduate. Lecturer and teacher with experience assigning and evaluating university reading lists across multiple subject areas. Spent years helping students navigate the gap between what a reading list says and what they actually need to buy.
Every article on this site is researched and written based on genuine familiarity with UK university reading lists, direct knowledge of which editions are actually used in UK lecture theatres, and a consistent focus on what saves UK students money — not what looks impressive. If you have questions, corrections, or want to suggest a textbook I should cover, get in touch.
Have questions or feedback?
We’d love to hear from you.