Student Discount: Where to find the best student benefits
Uni doesn’t have to be living off Super Noodles and never having a penny to your name. Check out our student discounts guide to make the most of your time at uni.
Last updated: 15th Aug 2023
Originally published: 6th Sep 2022
If you can predict anything about your Uni experience it’s that you’ll probably be skint at some point. Don't worry it happens to the best of us, and it's not something to worry too much about, but it can get to the point where it’s really not fun, especially with deadlines on your back. But the good news is there are loads of student discounts to help you save on food, entertainment, travel, fashion, tech, gym memberships, and so much more.
However, especially for new students, it can get a little overwhelming when you don’t know where to start. So we put together this guide on where to find the best student discounts so you don’t end up relying on the bank of Mum and Dad.
Student discount platforms
There are a few student discount platforms, some of which you’re probably already familiar with. And they each offer exclusive discounts for students across thousands of big brands. And most of them are free to join, so you might as well sign up for them all and make the most of it!
UNiDAYS
Photo: myunidays / Instagram
UNiDAYS is free to join, all you need is a uni email address, and there's a reason why it's the most well-known. UNiDAYS has a massive array of discounts available from all sorts of restaurants, companies, and brands. Some deals you can take advantage of are with Domino's (35% Discount), Adidas (25% off full price), Google (10% off select devices), Adobe (65% Off Adobe Creative Cloud), Acer (15% Discount), Amazon (6 month Prime free trial & 10% discount), HelloFresh (60% Off 1st box + 25% Off next 3 boxes), Pizza Express (25% Discount), PureGym (Up to 30% Off discount), EVRi (10% Discount), Expedia (10% off select hostels), Reebok (30% Discount site-wide), Uber Eats (£10 off when you spend £20+ on Groceries), and so so much more. A necessary saver for every student!
Student Beans
Photo: studentbeans / Instagram
Pretty much the exact same process as UNiDAYS, Student Beans is free to join and you only need an academic email address. Get deals on ASOS (20% Discount), Amazon (6-month Prime free trial then 50% off Prime membership afterwards), Apple (Save on Mac or iPad for university, Plus get a Gift Card & 20% off Apple Care+), Dunelm (10% off when you spend £40 or more), JD (10% Student Discount on Full Price), Adidas (25% off full price), Bulk (40% Discount on RRP), Trainline (20% Discount on Digital Railcards), and so much more. Another essential string to your Student saving bow.
TOTUM
Photo: wearetotum / Instagram
If you’re willing to spend a little to save a lot, TOTUM has a premium membership card for £14.99 a year or £24.99 for two or three years. Yep, two years costs the same as three, so you might as well go for three.
Such discounts include ASOS (20% Discount), Co-Op (10% Discount), Boots (10% OFf with Vantage Card), My Protein (Up to 70% Discount exclusive to Totum), The Gym Group (25% Off Student 9-month membership with no joining fee), HelloFresh (65% off your first box, then 30% off for 2 months), Sephora (15% Discount), The Body Shop (20% Discount), NatWest (£100 cash plus a 4-year tastecard (worth £39.99 per year) when you open a NatWest student account), and many more.
But if you're properly skint, they also have a free student discount membership, but you won't have access to the premium discounts such as Co-op, Boots, and My Protein.
International Student Identity Card (ISIC
Photo: Matese Fields on Unsplash
For £12, the ISIC offers access to over 150,000 student discounts and offers. The card is virtual and accessed through their app, or you can pay an additional £3 for a physical plastic card.
There are all sorts of deals on food, entertainment, tech, gym memberships, travel, and more. Examples include National Express (20% off fares), Soundcloud (50% off subscription), The Economist (75% off subscription), Bierkeller (25% off food), TEFL (50% off courses), Tate Modern (free entry into all sites), Strava (50% Discount for students) and so much more.
The card also allows you to prove you’re a student across the globe, meaning you can use it for student discounts abroad too.
Save The Student
Photo: savethestudent / Instagram
Save The Student isn’t a discount platform, but it allows you to see a range of deals across platforms like UNiDAYS and deals specific to a brand. The site has loads of articles and how0-to guides for both making and saving money at Uni and even some extra Uni life tips that can save you a pretty penny. It's a invaluable resource for any struggling student and something you should be checking frequently
Groupon
Photo: grouponuk / Instagram
Groupon isn’t exclusively for students, but there are some killer deals on there that can save you a small fortune. It has everything from holidays to bulk toilet rolls, cheap eats to massages.
Discounts that don’t require membership with a discount platform
Amazon
Photo: primestudent / Instagram
For new members, Amazon Student offers a six-month trial of Prime. When that’s over, you can continue your access to Prime at half price. Prime gives you access to PrimeTV, free delivery on Amazon, and Amazon Music. Amazon Student also offers 10% off textbooks and selected fashion.
Stagecoach
Photo: stagecoach_bus / Instagram
Students can save up to 40% on unlimited bus and tram travel, depending on the area. And if you’re a student in Scotland, you can apply for a free bus travel card. It’s quickest to do it all online on their website. All you need is your student ID with a photo.
Oyster card
Photo: transportforlondon / Instagram
For students in London, with the 18+ Student Oyster photocard, you can save 30% on Travelcards and tram and bus passes. You can also get a 16-25 or 26-30 Railcard and add it to your 18+ Student Oyster photocard to secure pay-as-you-go off-peak fares.
Adobe Creative Cloud
Photo: adobecreate / Instagram
Depending on what you’re studying, Creative Cloud might be essential. You’ll probably get it free with your course, but if not, Adobe offers over 65% off to students and teachers. To make the most of it, do the free trial first! Creative Cloud includes over 20 apps, including InDesign, Photoshop, Lightroom, After Effect, and Premiere Pro.
EE
Photo: ee / Instagram
If you aren’t already on some family package, you’re going to need a mobile network operator. You can save 20% on your monthly bill on selected pay monthly or SIM-only plans with EE if you’re a new customer.
ASOS
Photo: asos / Instagram
ASOS has fashion, accessories, skin care products, and more for everyone. If you sign up on their site, you’ll get 15% off straight away, then 10% off up until you graduate. When you sign up, you’ll be entered into a competition to win a ski trip with three mates. Not bad!
McDonald's
Photo: mcdonaldsuk / Instagram
If Maccies wasn’t cheap enough already, they’ve got freebies for students! Providing you follow the T’s and C’s, of course. When you buy an extra value or wrap meal and present your student ID, you can get a free cheeseburger, mayo chicken, or McFlurry. Buzzing.
Papa John’s
Photo: papajohnsuk / Instagram
Papa John's has a student portal with exclusive deals. And this year they’re giving away a free papadia until the 31st of October when you register on the portal. By registering, you’ll also be entered into a competition to win £3,000 toward your uni fees. Might as well give it a go!
Pizza Hut
Photo: pizzahutuk / Instagram
Show your student ID with a photo when paying your bill for 20% off. Nice and simple!
Spotify
Photo: spotifyuk / Instagram
Unfortunately, this offer only stands if you haven’t had Spotify Premium before. But if you haven’t, you can get three months free! And when the three months are up, you’ll get Spotify Premium at the reduced cost of just £5.99 a month.
Apple
Photo: applemusic / Instagram
If you don’t fancy Spotify, Apple is offering a free trial of Apple Music and access to Apple TV. When the month trial is up, you can continue using both at the student rate of £5.99 per month.
Brewdog
Photo: brewdogofficial / Instagram
For £7.50, you can enjoy unlimited tea or coffee and get a beer at the end of the day Monday - Friday. Perfect for when you’re sick of the library or your flatmates are doing your head in. Brewdog also offers a bottle of prosecco for £15 Wednesday - Friday, and a burger or pizza and a pint for £12.50. Or £15 if you're in London.
Revolution bars
Photo: revolutiondgl / Instagram
If you fancy a cocktail but your bank account's looking at you funny, download Revolution's Revs app for offers, discounts, and the occasional freebie. If you register with your student email address, you'll receive exclusive offers including an increased happy hour and 25% off food Sunday - Thursday.
We know uni can be a tough time, so we hope these discounts will take some of the strain off your bank accounts. And with guides on the best student bars and clubs, surviving freshers, and cheap things to do in your area, we’re here to help make your uni experience the best it can be.
Click or tap here to find your dream freshers party to kick off your stint at uni with a bang.
Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.
Header: Josh Appel on Unsplash