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8 Top Places to Find Used or Second-Hand University Textbooks



We all know that university can be expensive. A big chunk of students' budget usually goes on textbooks and they aren’t that cheap if you buy them brand new. So, what to do to save money if your course requires you to have your textbooks for different modules and years?


In this article, we will look at alternative places to look for used textbooks to help you spend less and be more eco-friendly. Additionally, with used books, you are not only saving money but helping goods move through the circular economy in turn helping our environment by reusing and repurposing. So basically, you are doing a good deed whilst saving a good chunk of your student budget.


We hope that this article will help you to find some bargains on your university textbooks!


Gabby

The No Waste Space Team x


1. Charity Shops


Charity shops are gold mines when it comes to university textbooks, especially if the charity shop is near a university or college, as students usually simply donate their used textbooks after their graduate. So, it is worth browsing if you are near one!


You can find a variety of used and secondhanded textbooks there, especially if you need earlier or older editions. However, some charity shops do have brand new textbooks or very good quality used textbooks. Prices of course will vary from one charity shop to another but most of the time textbooks are between £10-20 depending on quality, subject and edition.

On top of saving money on your textbooks by buying them in charity shops, you are also helping the environment but most importantly you are helping important research and charity work that these charities are involved in and supporting.


Some charity shops that you might find used textbooks in:

  • Oxfam

  • British Heart Foundation

  • Mind

  • Age UK

  • The Salvation Army

  • Cancer Research UK

  • Sue Ryder

  • Blue Cross


2. Car Boot Sales


Another good place to find some older university textbooks and rare editions. However, sometimes you can find some newer textbooks, especially if people just want to get rid of them or just don’t use them anymore. There is no comprehensive list of all car boot sales across the country as it varies from town to town but it is worth looking where your local car boot sale is and when. Usually, car boot sales happen on the weekend and occasionally on Bank Holidays.


Again, by shopping in car boot sales you are pushing the circular economy forward and more products are getting reused, thus having a longer life and don’t end up in the landfill. Also, you get yourself a bargain too. So, it’s a win-win!



3. Local Libraries and University Libraries


A no-brainer.


Local libraries and university libraries usually have a variety of textbooks for your course, which you can borrow for a few weeks or even longer, depending on how many copies of the books the library has and the library’s policies. However, it won’t cost you anything and if you can’t find the book, they have but you need it for your course, they most likely order a copy for the library. This is, however, if you don’t mind not having your copy of the textbook and don’t mind returning it in a few weeks and taking it out again when you need it. It saves money and keeps the libraries open.



4. Second-Hand Bookshops


Bookstores that specialise in second-hand books are also a good way to find some textbooks. Again, like in charity shops, there might be older editions and rarer textbooks but sometimes you can also find new and barely used textbooks. It is worth checking your local second-hand bookshops for textbooks. Prices will vary from one bookshop to another but it is cheaper than new editions, usually anything between £10-25. Additionally, most charities have websites where they sell second-hand textbooks at cheap prices, too.


Some second-hand bookshops:

  • Oxfam Books (Nationwide)

  • BookMongers (London)

  • Toby English Books (Wallingford)

  • Moss Books (Cheltenham)

  • R & R Books (Stroud)



5. Online Marketplaces


Online marketplaces will have a variety of textbooks on offer from a variety of prices and from all over the country. It is worth looking at different marketplaces online as then you can compare prices and quality of the textbooks until you chose the right combination for you. Of course, you will have to think about postage costs, however, if you buy book bundles postage is usually cheaper. Additionally, you can message the seller and discuss the price before buying, as well as potentially score a discount.

Vinted and Depop tend to have quite new editions of textbooks quite cheap too. So it’s a win-win! Olio sometimes has people donating and giving away textbooks or books, so again it's worth looking there.


Some online marketplaces worth checking out:



SPOTLIGHT: UnidBooks


A sustainable marketplace specialising in textbooks, created by students at Leeds University. Currently only available if you are studying at the University of Leeds but slowly this idea is expanding around the universities in the UK. You can check them out on their Instagram.



6. Facebook


Facebook Groups and Marketplace are other two ways for finding second-hand textbooks. Facebook Marketplace usually have fairly cheap and new editions of textbooks, especially from recently graduated students who just don’t need them anymore and who want to make some money from them. Also, Facebook Marketplace will usually display listings that are in the area close to your location, meaning you can go and collect the listing without needing it to be posted.


Facebook groups, especially university societies groups have listed textbooks too, as recently graduated list textbooks there to sell. Usually, the textbooks they list are sold cheaply in bundles but you can always negotiate the prices and quantity. However, on Facebook Marketplace and Groups be careful as there can be scammers.



7. Online second-hand book stores

Online second-hand books stores offer a variety of textbooks, from different conditions to different editions…and of course different prices too! You can even sometimes buy a brand-new book for a few pounds. Just make sure you are using filters in your search, especially if you are searching for a certain edition as they list many, to make sure you get the right textbook. The only downside is of course you will have to pay for postage, although some might do free postage depending on the amount you buy or the price. Worth a browse!


Some online second-hand bookstores worth looking into:



8. Other Alternatives


If you want to be even more eco-friendly and sustainable you can purchase textbooks such as e-books or audiobooks. Textbooks in these formats are also much cheaper than paperback and hardback textbooks. There is now growing popularity amongst students, as an easily accessible, cheaper, convenient, sustainable and no space-consuming alternative to traditional textbooks.


E-Books


Local and university libraries offer textbooks as e-books which you can borrow from libraries for a few days or weeks or download only chapters you need from books for longer periods and sometimes even for forever use.


KOBO and Kindle offer a variety of textbooks in e-book formats that are way cheaper than the printed alternative.


Audiobooks


Local and university libraries sometimes offer textbooks in audio format. Worth checking your local or university library if they offer this.


Audible and KOBO offers a variety of textbooks in audio format which again is much cheaper than the traditional printed textbooks.


Note:

All the information and links are correct at the time of publishing this article.

Recommendations of these books are personal opinions and views of the author of this article.

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