Always check the University second hand shop. Last year's course books in your subject are almost definitely going to be this year's too. OK - so there's the odd coffee cup ring (or worse) but you can live with that surely for the fraction of the price.  | | Course books can cost a fortune |
There are several places on the web where you can sell, swap, or exchange your secondhand course and text books online. One such place is at books4beer.com. It's good to have the ISBN number of your required book handy. Similarly studentbooks.co.uk offers a comprehensive search facility to help you find exactly the title you are looking for. (Although they don't appear to have added the University of Gloucestershire to their list just yet!) Just fill in the form with all the details and you could be lucky. Sometimes the books are free! You could always try the studentfreeads.com. This can be a bit touch and go but as sites like this develop there should be more choice. If the thought of used goods really turns you off then you're going to have to spend some cash. Amazon
You name it - Amazon can get it. If it's a really obscure tome on quantum physics you may have to wait a week or two but generally Amazon proves itself as a must for book lovers everywhere. | 
